BMW 320D e46 – Dual Mass Flywheel

seanin98

Hi,

Been hearing a grinding kind of noise for a while when I release my clutch but it’s nothing major and gear shifting or anything else has not been effected.

My mechanic reckons the flywheel is the issue but that he has known them to make this kind of noise for a year or two without actually going.

Has anybody out there has similar experiences? Obviously I would like to avoid such a costly repair if I can but I’m in two minds whether to just to get it done anyway

dharn

seanin98 wrote: »

Hi,

Been hearing a grinding kind of noise for a while when I release my clutch but it’s nothing major and gear shifting or anything else has not been effected.

My mechanic reckons the flywheel is the issue but that he has known them to make this kind of noise for a year or two without actually going.

Has anybody out there has similar experiences? Obviously I would like to avoid such a costly repair if I can but I’m in two minds whether to just to get it done anyway

The e46 does not have a dual mass flywheel, id say its the release bearings, and should not really be a problem,

ION08

I'd also say its only a release bearing.

If it feels fine when pulling away and isn't vibrating ,rattling or juddering when pulling off i'd say its nothing to be worried about.

I'd be looking at getting a new mechanic if i were you...

Diagnosing a faulty DMF which costs near 1000 euro to replace is jumping the gun a little bit ... especially for a car that apparently doesnt have one to begin with :P

JerCotter7

dharn wrote: »

The e46 does not have a dual mass flywheel, id say its the release bearings, and should not really be a problem,

Where did you hear that? Even the E36 petrols have DMF. I would guess the E46 diesels would certainly have one.

Technoprisoner

dharn wrote: »

The e46 does not have a dual mass flywheel, id say its the release bearings, and should not really be a problem,

wrong!!

dharn

Technoprisoner wrote: »

wrong!!

Oops sorry iv had e36s e46s never knew they had dmf, never had any bother with them but had sqeaky clutches, but never got any worse than that

seanin98

Just to be clear, the mechanic was in no way pushing me toward spending the money on a new DMF … on the contrary, he was saying that the car could be driven for a couple of years without anything further happening with the DMF. He just pointed out that it was likely that the issue was the DMF. He just sat in it for a minute and pushed the clutch in and out so there was no big examination done on it.

I just wanted to know did anyone else have a similar experience and what were the tell-tale signs when the DMF actually went.

burke027

I can tell u 100% the the 320d has a dmf and they do give trouble. We change plenty of them and the kit can be got quite reasonable. If it was a vw I'd say convert it to a solid because it doesn't make much of a noticeable difference. But on the 320 I'd stick with the dmf. Infact if I'm not mistaking I think it cost us to buy the last one 600 and odd euro plus vat. That was for the parts kit. The flywheel pressure plate clutch disc and release bearing.
Also when fitting the pressure plate can be Messed up if fitted incorrectly with the clip released. ( expensive mistake ) but if u need n e other advice I'd be delighted to help.

seanin98

Thanks for that. As I say mine is just making that grinding noise when I push it in or release (only really hear it when taking off) so I’m just going to let it take its course and start budgeting for when it does eventually go.

gerry20

Hi All,

OK this is my first post ever so go easy!

I bought a 05 E46 320Cd privately a few weeks ago. Very clean car and well maintained. The previous owner had it for 4 years and said that he never changed the clutch or DMF. 114,000 miles (183,000) on the clock. From reading prevous forms and posts it seems quite common for the clutch and/or DMF to fail at around this mileage.

I only notcied last week when I was driving to work in the moirning that the car started to shudder in first gear and more noticeable when taking off on hills, when the engine warmed up the shudder seemed to not happen as much (only when the car is cold). I have also noticed that there is a slight knocking/rattle noise when I'm driving and my friend who works on E46 engines said it sounds like the DMF is failing.

I just want to know should I bring this to a garage and see if I need a new DMF and/or Clutch. Also if I do am I better off replacing the clutch and flywheel as I heard this is quite common.

I know pricing was mentioned above but has anyone done this before and if so can they provide a rough cost for parts and labour?

Thanks
Gerry.

ION08

gerry20 wrote: »

Hi All,

OK this is my first post ever so go easy!

I bought a 05 E46 320Cd privately a few weeks ago. Very clean car and well maintained. The previous owner had it for 4 years and said that he never changed the clutch or DMF. 114,000 miles (183,000) on the clock. From reading prevous forms and posts it seems quite common for the clutch and/or DMF to fail at around this mileage.

I only notcied last week when I was driving to work in the moirning that the car started to shudder in first gear and more noticeable when taking off on hills, when the engine warmed up the shudder seemed to not happen as much (only when the car is cold). I have also noticed that there is a slight knocking/rattle noise when I'm driving and my friend who works on E46 engines said it sounds like the DMF is failing.

I just want to know should I bring this to a garage and see if I need a new DMF and/or Clutch. Also if I do am I better off replacing the clutch and flywheel as I heard this is quite common.

I know pricing was mentioned above but has anyone done this before and if so can they provide a rough cost for parts and labour?

Thanks
Gerry.

Well at least he was honest and didn't tell you porkies about it having been replaced.

It's a consumable at the end of the day so you'll just have to bite the bullet and get it done!

Always replace clutch and flywheel, should be about €1000 all-in (parts an labour) at an independent garage.

MetzgerMeister

My car (335i) has a DMF and I often get this kind of annoying grinding noise from the gearbox. It doesn't always happen but it's only a noise and nothing more.

As was stated, it's the release bearing and hasn't affected gear changes or anything in my car.

testarossa40

When the DMF on my E46 320D got knackered a couple of years ago, I was getting a metallic rattling sound (like a couple of pebbles knocking about in a metal pipe) from under the pedal-box area whenever I eased out the clutch from standstill. Also in hindsight, the gearstick felt like it was vibrating more than normal in idle - I've since heard this is a classic symptom also.

ION08's price estimate's in the right ballpark.

seanin98

I’ve put 30,000 miles on mine since the original post - still a bit of a shudder when taking off or in reverse. Also, there’s extra vibration when stuck in traffic. My mechanic said he has seen them go a few years without getting any worse so I never got it done as it’s our second car and I just drive it to and from work. When it does go I will weigh up whether to fix it or scrap it. The car owes me nothing at this stage so I’m not overly concerned.