Vibration - Sound / Feeling

[artyM3]

I've done several hours of research, and I can't seem to find a direction, so I'm creating a new topic. I've also checked E46 Fanatics, and there are posts describing similar symptoms as my car, but no resolution. I'm hoping someone here can lead me in the right direction.

My car has a slight vibration noise and sometimes a slight vibration feel right at the 1800 RPM level when, for example, I let go of the gas at 2500 RPM and let the RPMs fall. It happens in gear and also in neutral although it is most noticeable in gears 1, 2, and 3. It's also most noticeable when the motor is slightly warmed up. So, right at start up, the vibration isn't there. But once I get a few minutes of driving, the vibration starts occuring. The vibration does seem to lessen once the car is fully warmed up although still slightly noticeable, and when driving in the current heat wave, the vibration is almost non-existent once the car is fully warmed up.

Does anyone know what this might be? Any directions would be helpful. Would scanning the car for error codes help? Thanks for your help!

[oceansize]

Have you checked all of your rubber bushings, ball joints, mounts, drive shaft flex disc, CSB, and tie rods? I would start with these basics to eliminate common wear items. Tires may need balancing.

[artyM3]

Have you checked all of your rubber bushings, ball joints, mounts, drive shaft flex disc, CSB, and tie rods? I would start with these basics to eliminate common wear items. Tires may need balancing.

Is CSB center support bearing? I haven't checked any of those, and I'll get on it. Thank you.

[oceansize]

Is CSB center support bearing? I haven't checked any of those, and I'll get on it. Thank you.

Yes on the CSB.

[artyM3]

Yes on the CSB.

One more question for you if I may - do you think the symptoms I described could be due to more serious underlying problems within the engine? I know there are issues with the s54 engine, so it is making me a little paranoid. Thanks again.

[oceansize]

One more question for you if I may - do you think the symptoms I described could be due to more serious underlying problems within the engine? I know there are issues with the s54 engine, so it is making me a little paranoid. Thanks again.

Get some audio and video as too hard to tell from the description. The engines are rock solid with regular oil changes and reasonable rod bearing intervals. VANOS (I saw your other thread) of course with respect to the exhaust hub tabs (and bolts loosening, shearing off). You can scan for codes using INPA (software).

[artyM3]

Get some audio and video as too hard to tell from the description. The engines are rock solid with regular oil changes and reasonable rod bearing intervals. VANOS (I saw your other thread) of course with respect to the exhaust hub tabs (and bolts loosening, shearing off). You can scan for codes using INPA (software).

Yeah, I'll try that. The vibration feel/sound is subtle, so I don't know if my cell phone mic will pick it up over the normal engine noise, but I'll give it a shot. I have to do the VANOS. I do hear the rattle, but the exhaust hub tabs were still attached when I checked a couple months ago to replace the valve cover gasket. I went back in again a month ago because oil was still leaking from the valve cover (back corner exhaust side and half moons on the back), and I thought maybe I didn't clean the mating surfaces properly, but nope! Apparently everyone says to buy genuine BMW for the valve cover gasket because OEMs leak. Tabs were still on then too. This time, I bought a genuine BMW valve cover gasket, and I'm going to do a valve adjustment as well. 2004 86k miles, and I haven't done a valve adjustment once yet. I'm hoping that's not the reason for the vibration, but we'll see. I was trying to do the full VANOS overhaul as well, but although I generally understand what is going on, I do not have confidence I'd be able to fix any problems if they were to arise during the rattle procedure. My knowledge level isn't there yet, so I have to leave the VANOS overhaul for another day. Do you think it's worth just replacing the oil pump disk with Beisan and leaving everything else for another time?

I also thought about pulling codes. I'm going to procure an old laptop and install the INPA software I see floating around. I have to buy the K+Dcan cable as well. Man, there is so much to do, and it all feels so overwhelming. I patted myself on the back when I replaced the water pump, tensioner, and pulleys several years ago, but VANOS overhaul is on another level, and don't get me started on rod bearing replacement. I do have thoughts of selling the car, but when I drive it, I am determined to keep the car and follow through on maintenance.

[oceansize]

My knowledge level isn't there yet, so I have to leave the VANOS overhaul for another day. Do you think it's worth just replacing the oil pump disk with Beisan and leaving everything else for another time?

Yes, all I did was the oil pump disk, new seals, solendoid pack (mine failed), checked the filter, and a cleaning. When you order the disc keep yours just in case there are problems or send yours off to Beisan and have them return yours. A hand full of people have reported issues with respect to pressure when using a disc from a different car. I hear you on the technical doubt, I did mine five or six years ago and it might as well have been never since I can't remember a darn thing I did lol. If you can get a cheap second vehicle so you don't need the e46 m3 to be done quicly. Having a second vehicle makes working on cars so much more fun.

Once you get INPA and Tool32 (That will come with the download) you can then use tool32 to run the vanos test:

[artyM3]

Yes, all I did was the oil pump disk, new seals, solendoid pack (mine failed), checked the filter, and a cleaning. When you order the disc keep yours just in case there are problems or send yours off to Beisan and have them return yours. A hand full of people have reported issues with respect to pressure when using a disc from a different car. I hear you on the technical doubt, I did mine five or six years ago and it might as well have been never since I can't remember a darn thing I did lol. If you can get a cheap second vehicle so you don't need the e46 m3 to be done quicly. Having a second vehicle makes working on cars so much more fun.

Once you get INPA and Tool32 (That will come with the download) you can then use tool32 to run the vanos test:

Yikes! This is the first time I'm hearing of issues occuring with using a swapped oil pump disk. I'll do more research. Thanks so much for the heads up. Regarding the 2nd car - how did you know? My M3 is my daily driver, and I've also been thinking about getting a second car!