Noises, vibrations, more noises, and clutch.

A few weeks ago, smolck put some thicker transmission and differential fluids in my car (same stuff he's running) and it's been driving ever so beautifully since. Since the weather has been turning colder, it feels like the fluids kind of "bog" the car down some until they warm up (okay... that's understandable).

Over the past few days, even after the car is warmed completely up (15+ minutes of driving), it starts vibrating around 3,000 RPM in each gear. The vibration smooths out a bit around 5,000 RPM. Also at idle, when the car is in neutral and the clutch pedal is out, I can hear this "lopping" sound. It's almost like a light, solid, metallic knock. When I push the clutch in and engage a gear (clutch still in), it disappears. Would the flywheel be causing the vibration and lopping/knocking sound?

And I'm still getting some vibration when pushing hard through long, sweeping left turns. It's definitely coming from the rear, so I have a feeling the RTABs are bad.

And last but not least, I'm getting some thumping from the rear when letting off the accelerator while on the highway, shifting, and other intermittent times. From all I've read, my brain is telling me differential bushing.

Oh, 11-year-old car, you will be the death of me...

And I know my clutch is getting to that last stretch of life.

Should I just stick with the "buy another car" plan or what?

well how many miles do you have on the e46?

which transmission fluid did you change into?

Thump from rear can be multiple things. guibo, rear diff bushings, rear shock mounts, shift shaft seal leaking, transmission mounts etc

It almost has 170,000.

Differential fluid is Mobil-1 75W-90, transmission fluid is Redline MTL 70W-80.

Normal due to thick oil weight. Not getting lube well at cold temp...Baby it until it warms up.

If u on original bushing. Those need to be replace now

Originally Posted by SPDSKTR

It almost has 170,000.

Differential fluid is Mobil-1 75W-90, transmission fluid is Redline MTL 70W-80.

You might want to suck out half of that MTL and replace it with ATF, so you have a (basically) 50/50 mix, which will enhance your cold-weather shifting.

The weird noise from the clutch area *might* be the DMF going south. If you`re replacing the clutch soon anyway, might as well go for a proper solid billet `wheel and sprung-hub clutch (like one of those $500 Gripforce deals).

Originally Posted by Fast Bob

You might want to suck out half of that MTL and replace it with ATF, so you have a (basically) 50/50 mix, which will enhance your cold-weather shifting.

The weird noise from the clutch area *might* be the DMF going south. If you`re replacing the clutch soon anyway, might as well go for a proper solid billet `wheel and sprung-hub clutch (like one of those $500 Gripforce deals).

The lows are only in the low 50's and the highs are in the mid-70's. Of course, it will only get colder...

I plan on buying a clutch over the next couple paychecks. Gripforce F1 Stage 1 clutch and flywheel kit seems like the only logical way to go. I mean... OEM would be great, but the "wonderful" self-adjusting clutch has proven to be a headache. Nothing irks me more than my clutch changing the engagement feel in the middle of driving.

I would go with stage 2 o.o

Originally Posted by TrippinBimmer

I would go with stage 2 o.o

Yeah... because I'm making 400 HP...

Sent from the Bamavarian Nexus.

Originally Posted by spdsktr

yeah... Because i'm making 400 hp...

Sent from the bamavarian nexus.

:d not bad as you think

Bit of an update here: I discovered that, during hard left corners (especially the long sweepers), the vibration worsens. During hard right cornering, it lessens. It's definitely something to do with the motor/driveline, but I'm not sure. It's not wheel rubbing or RTABs like I thought. What are you guys thinking?

Motor, tranny and subframe mounts

Just a thought....I just discovered that my center support bearing is ~completely~ FUBAR. I'm getting a "thump thump thump" when accelerating hard, and sometimes in a hard, long turn (I don't remember which direction, I kinda baby it because of the thumpity thumpity.) I didn't realize the CSB was the culprit until I removed the heat shield this weekend.

I hope this helps,