Ticking at back of E36 318ti....

Hello,

My first post on bimmerfest - looks like a great site!

I'm hoping somebody here can help me out - I've got a weird ticking noise coming from the back of my E36 318ti - it gets worse at speed (~70mph ish), but stops when I lift off the accelerator.... Possibly bearing, propshaft or exhaust issue maybe?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated, as are any recommendations for any good BMW specialists in SW London!

James.

Hey buddy, welcome to the fest

When you say ticking, is it like a loud metal on metal ticking or more of a thump?

Hi mate,

More of a rattly ticking sound I suppose - not a thumping sound. Seems weird that it stops when I lift off - suggests transmission problem to me....?

Is it when you lift off or when you dip the clutch?

Is odd if it is when you lift off as the drivetrain is still be driven

True Pete, it still being driven but the force is reversed. It's almost like the diff. is trying to push the tranny. Could probably be a bad bearing or maby diff. internals. Just my opinion.
Wehn power is applied, something might be lifting out of place inside the diff. and (maby a gear is loosing its position ? very slightly though.) And when power is taken off, it goes back into place. I know I have the weirdest comments ! Don't even ask me why !

weird...seems like it would have to be driveshaft or rear differential/half shafts.
Flex disc..., Rear diff mount ear bushing....something that is effected by the torque while accelerating.

96 models had a TSB for rattling catalytic converter, but that is under the passenger side seat area.

I'm with Sewer on the fact that it has to be some sort of joint or gear that is twisted and stressed by the engine if it only happens when the accelerator is pushed. As to what specifically, though, I really don't know here.

Thanks for all your comments - seems like we're all thinking roughly along the same lines...! Looks like a trip to my local specialist might be in order.... £££££!

James

Check your Universal Joint buddy

Flex disk is also a good call but i think you would get slightly different symptoms