BMW 320d vibration and worse when pressing clutch

sparkys2003

I wonder if anybody can shed any light on my issue please.

I have just noticed a bad vibration where the whole car seems to shake when pressing the clutch, even when at idle.

I thought it might be a misfire at first, as I first noticed it when changing gear. As soon as the clutch was pressed and the revs dropped, the vibrations were terrible.

There is no clutch noise, so I started thinking engine/gearbox mounts, blocked injectors/bad leads etc.

Looking at forums they throw up things like clutch flywheel problems, but on revving the engine when stationary, something just doesn`t seem right, and when the clutch is pressed there are huge vibrations felt throughout the car.

I am taking it to the garage tomorrow, but any heads up would be appreciated so I have a general idea of what could be the cause.

Thanks in advance.

motorguy

It sounds a lot like the floating flywheel is on its way out.

Is there any noise associated with it? Does the noise change when you put your foot on the clutch?

wgl2014

My guess would be a thrust bearing. If this needs doing then get a 'clutch pack' which contains the bearing along with new clutch plates. The main cost involved is the labour so once it's apart get everything changed!

Seems the packs also come with the flywheel and could also be this. https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-320D-2-0D-Luk-Dual-Mass-Flywheel-Complete-Clutch-Kit-150-Bhp-320-D-03-/120737629786

Paradigm

If you car has a Dual Mass Flywheel I'd be looking there. Excessive vibration is a classic sign of failure.

motorguy

wgl2014 wrote: »

My guess would be a thrust bearing. If this needs doing then get a 'clutch pack' which contains the bearing along with new clutch plates. The main cost involved is the labour so once it's apart get everything changed!

Seems the packs also come with the flywheel and could also be this. https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-320D-2-0D-Luk-Dual-Mass-Flywheel-Complete-Clutch-Kit-150-Bhp-320-D-03-/120737629786

The thrust bearing will only cause noise surely, not the massive vibration the O/P is experiencing?

Thats the sort of kit i'd be looking for though - LUK is a good brand and i'd do the whole kit - plate, flywheel, bearing.

sparkys2003

motorguy wrote: »

It sounds a lot like the floating flywheel is on its way out.

Is there any noise associated with it? Does the noise change when you put your foot on the clutch?

There is no noise at all, just vibration that gets worse when the clutch is pressed.

motorguy

sparkys2003 wrote: »

There is no noise at all, just vibration that gets worse when the clutch is pressed.

I guess ultimately you'll have to wait for your mechanic to diagnose it.

I'd say if theres no engine misfire and it varies depending on the clutch being pressed then its flywheel related.

Budget around £300-350 for a good kit - dont be fobbed off with a cheap brand, ensure you get a LUK one or similar - and probably around the same for fitting.

BeenThroughItAll

Dual mass flywheel, almost certainly.

Nearly_Old

sparkys2003 wrote: »

I wonder if anybody can shed any light on my issue please.

I have just noticed a bad vibration where the whole car seems to shake when pressing the clutch, even when at idle.

Thanks in advance.

To summarise: At idle with engine running, clutch engaged (clutch plates, flywheel and gearbox shafts all rotating) there is no vibration. Then when pressing the clutch to disengage the clutch so now clutch plates and gearbox shafts cease to rotate; i.e. the car is still idling and there are less rotating parts there is a bad vibration that shakes the whole car?

Be very interested to see what the garage says - it may well be "They all do that".

flashg67

I'd agree with others that have said dual mass flywheel is failing. Dealer price will scare you to death - quality aftermarket parts are available though

motorguy

flashg67 wrote: »

I'd agree with others that have said dual mass flywheel is failing. Dealer price will scare you to death - quality aftermarket parts are available though

Yes, as per other posts i'd be budgeting around £500-£650 from a good indie. Parts around £350 for a full kit, plus a days labour fitting at worst.