|
|
06-20-2017, 03:38 PM | #1 |
New Member
1
Rep 14
Posts |
E89 manual gearbox whine
Hi chaps/chapesses.
I have a 23i 6 speed manual 2009 Zeeeee. I am in UK and the car has 75k miles on it, runs perfectly, always has. Over the past couple of weeks I noticed a quiet whine, like a gas turbine winding up when I move off in 1st gear until I get to around 10mph. When I change to second gear I get the whine again but in second gear the whine changes pitch to a sort of weewooweewoo, the pitch increases as I accelerate and then disappears. It reappears when I change to third but very quietly. It is worse when the car is cold and, strangely, when turning right!!! Does anyone have any ideas?? |
06-20-2017, 07:55 PM | #2 |
Lieutenant
309
Rep 595
Posts |
Change your transmission fluid and see if that helps any. My wild guess is that the fluid level is a bit low and that it uncovers spinning parts more on a right turn. If you're down there and pulling the fill plug to check the level anyway though you might as well change it and get some value out of your time.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-21-2017, 06:47 AM | #3 |
Captain
168
Rep 906
Posts
Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana
|
I think first step is try to convince yourself where the whine noise comes from. Don't assume it is from the transmission if you dont know.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-23-2017, 10:27 AM | #4 |
New Member
1
Rep 14
Posts |
I know that can be difficult, especially as the diff is practically kissing the back of the gearbox.
I actually took it to a specialist I know very well and he pins it down to the gearbox but I did not have the time to leave the car for any further investigation. I have seen rebuilt boxes for the car for around £550 with 18 month unlimited mileage guarantees so not too worried about it. One thing the guy did say is that 'BMW boxes ARE NOT sealed for life, in real life' if you believe that then you will probably pay for that belief! Has anyone here swapped out a manual box on the car?? |
Appreciate
0
|
06-29-2017, 05:14 PM | #5 |
Lieutenant
162
Rep 562
Posts |
First off, I'd not be considering replacing the transmission for a smidge of whining in first gear. Next, at 75k miles, I'd change the fluid and be prepared for that to solve the problem. Specifically I would recommend Royal Purple Synchromax.
Filippo
__________________
2011 35i MT Atacama ... lots of bits. Full Öhlins TTX custom suspension. Build thread.
Build sheet. Currently finishing suspension, fuel, ignition system with Barry Battle @ 3DMMotorsport. |
Appreciate
0
|
06-30-2017, 04:03 AM | #6 | |
New Member
1
Rep 14
Posts |
Quote:
This is exactly the route I am going to follow but I will be using Castrol synthetic fluids. Will do the diff at the same time. So watch this space and thank you for your advice. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-30-2017, 05:39 PM | #7 |
Lieutenant
162
Rep 562
Posts |
I'm sure the Castrol product is excellent. That said, I recommended Royal Purple because many BMW manual transmission owners swear by the improved cold shifting with the Synchromax product.
Filippo
__________________
2011 35i MT Atacama ... lots of bits. Full Öhlins TTX custom suspension. Build thread.
Build sheet. Currently finishing suspension, fuel, ignition system with Barry Battle @ 3DMMotorsport. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2017, 01:28 AM | #8 | |
New Member
1
Rep 14
Posts |
Quote:
I am going with Castrol simply because its BMW OEM and endorsed. The Royal Purple is indeed highly regarded but ridiculously priced, around £54 a litre in the UK! Compared to the fully symthetic castrol product at around £15 a litre. I just cannot see what can possibly be in royal purple to make it that expensive or that much better from a product produced by one of the worlds leading companies. I am going to attempt to audio record the noise later today and will post it here. Regards Mark |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2017, 08:32 AM | #9 |
Lieutenant
162
Rep 562
Posts |
That's crazy. You can get it for much less in the UK, though:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Royal-Purp...cAAOSwnNBXVyb7 Best of luck to you! Filippo
__________________
2011 35i MT Atacama ... lots of bits. Full Öhlins TTX custom suspension. Build thread.
Build sheet. Currently finishing suspension, fuel, ignition system with Barry Battle @ 3DMMotorsport. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2017, 02:17 PM | #10 | |
Second Lieutenant
52
Rep 297
Posts |
Quote:
I have used Redline ATF and now Fuchs Sintofluid, can't say a vast difference in shifting, but box is quiet, same year, box and mileage as first poster. You say the noise varies when turning, could it be the diff. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2017, 06:36 PM | #11 | |
New Member
1
Rep 14
Posts |
Quote:
I let a dealer have the car for a 12 mile test drive, they reckon gearbox otherwise it would do it in every gear. Makes sense I suppose. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-10-2018, 02:59 AM | #14 |
New Member
1
Rep 14
Posts |
I had the box removed and sent to a specialist in London. They stripped it completely but absolutely no visible wear or defect at all! So obviously a quality bit of engineering both mechanically and lubrication wise in regard to OEM fluids.
They suggested to look at the prop shaft centre bearing before the diff which I will do over the winter, I like to keep the car on the road during the sunny days. If you think about it the wee woooo sound would correlate with the shaft wobbling within the bearing!! Keep us informed.. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-25-2018, 06:32 PM | #16 |
New Member
0
Rep 5
Posts |
Dear all, greetings from Spain.
I have exactly the same car (2009 e89 23i), with the exact same whining noise in same exact conditions! However, I think that the noise does not come from the Gearbox, but from the diff. I changed Gearbox and diff oils but the noise stills there. I will stay around here waiting for your progress... Cheers. |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Tags |
23i, e89, gearbox, manual, whine |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|