[e39540iv8]

OK so I just bought a 540i, I got a good deal but there's a few issues I wanna address.

1. There's a noise when starting which comes from the fan/belt, WD40 makes it go away after 2 minutes but the sound comes back when the car is started again after sitting for a bit.

2. Throttle feels a bit laggy, the car pulls pretty good but I have to push the throttle in alot and then it just accelerates hard. In other words it's hard to go slow in it. Pushing the throttle a bit doesn't seem to do much.

3. At around 40mph I heard noises from the Auto box, it feels like it's slipping in and out of gears and I heard the occasional clunk from it.

What should I do guys? I'm thinking I'll take it to a BMW specialist and have any codes pulled up and also put it up on the hoist and check everything physically and just get an overall assessment. It's gonna cost me though and I know how some service places make up stuff to get you to repair them. I just hope there aren't any issues like head gasket and gearbox failure.

 

[JimLev]

What year 540 did you buy?

 

[e39540iv8]

2000

 

[mbell666]

1) Is the noise there with AC on and off? Probably a belt or tensioner issue.

2) Get fault codes read and diagnostics, could be (in no order) MAF, plugs, plug connectors, vacuum leak, plugs, dirty injectors, clogged cats, clogged filter....

3) :s

You also want to consider a cooling system overhaul if it hasn't been done.

 

[e39540iv8]

1) Is the noise there with AC on and off? Probably a belt or tensioner issue.

2) Get fault codes read and diagnostics, could be (in no order) MAF, plugs, plug connectors, vacuum leak, plugs, dirty injectors, clogged cats, clogged filter....

3) :s

You also want to consider a cooling system overhaul if it hasn't been done.

Will definitely get diagnostics and get codes. I hope it's nothing serious.

As for the cooling system overhaul I'm not sure what that entails and how much it would cost.

 

[edjack]

The overhaul usually consists of replacing any and all hoses, thermostat, water pump, radiator, expansion tank, and fan and clutch. If idler wheels are noisy, they can be repacked with grease, or replaced. The tensioning devices s/b examined for wear, and replaced, if necessary.

Drain the block, and replace the coolant with BMW stuff, 50/50 with distilled water.

This is a preemptive move, since these cooling system components fail catastrophically at the end of ther lives, usually in the 90-100k-mile range.

Whilst the radiator is out, clean out the debris that has accumulated in front of it, and in the aux fan. Aux fans have been damaged by this stuff.

Not a cheap job, but still cheaper than a damaged engine.

 

[e39540iv8]

So do you think the gearbox slipping out of gears and behaving weird could be an engine thing and not a gearbox thing like MAF sensor or whatever?

 

[1BadE39]

guessing its an auto does it slip in sport mode when you put it in 4th? Also get the Bentley manual and a good set of tools between this site and the books you'll be overwhelmed with confidence. Get the fluids changed in the engine and yes the correct fluids make a huge difference. Think the previous owners did everything wrong like wait 15k to get the oil changed with the proper stuff and neglect all preventative maintenance. I'm into my 97 540ia for about 5k because after the littlest taste of the cars performance I was hooked. Best of luck and this is the best place for info. Also check out regional forms on this site for best Indy shops in your area.

 

[e39540iv8]

guessing its an auto does it slip in sport mode when you put it in 4th? Also get the Bentley manual and a good set of tools between this site and the books you'll be overwhelmed with confidence. Get the fluids changed in the engine and yes the correct fluids make a huge difference. Think the previous owners did everything wrong like wait 15k to get the oil changed with the proper stuff and neglect all preventative maintenance. I'm into my 97 540ia for about 5k because after the littlest taste of the cars performance I was hooked. Best of luck and this is the best place for info. Also check out regional forms on this site for best Indy shops in your area.

I'm 90% sure it doesn't slip when it Steptronic mode. It does go from 5th to 4th if I don't and I slow down too much.

 

[e39540iv8]

Hey guys, an update. The car has been in the garage for a day now and there is a bit of oil under the engine When I started it and reversed the gearbox felt jerky like it's jerking back and forth.

 

[1BadE39]

get it to a shop don't mess about

 

[e39540iv8]

get it to a shop don't mess about

Should I drive it or get it towed?

Problem is I only have like $2,000 if repairs are actually needed. Do you think that's enough. I knew I shouldn't have bought this car without properly checking it out.

 

[1BadE39]

get it towed just to be safe but that's my opinion the last thing you want it to be stranded on the side of the road with a car that you know for sure is damaged best of luck fill us in with the outcome

 

[e39540iv8]

get it towed just to be safe but that's my opinion the last thing you want it to be stranded on the side of the road with a car that you know for sure is damaged best of luck fill us in with the outcome

Will do, I think it's just safer. I just hope that it can be fixed. I really like the car and for the brief time I drove it it pulls really hard and faster than I expected. Definitely no slouch that's for sure.

 

[Turbo_525]

Sorry to hear about all this, usually most of us here recommend a pre-purchase inspection on these to see what's going to hit you after you sign on the dotted line.

Good luck sorting it out.

 

[1BadE39]

Will do, I think it's just safer. I just hope that it can be fixed. I really like the car and for the brief time I drove it it pulls really hard and faster than I expected. Definitely no slouch that's for sure.

all it takes is a little taste of that power and your hooked! Trust me I know its almost a year to the day I bought mine. Hopefully for you its a gasket a seal maybe low on fluid. Any pics yet?

 

[speedninja]

great info

 

[e39540iv8]

So I haven't taken the car yet, it's sitting in the garage. Haven't turned it on or anything so no progress. Just need to get time to take it but took some photos of the oil leak and there seems to be this hole where the oil sump is, anybody know what it is? There's another thing, when the key is in the last position before start there's these light on the cluster. Are they supposed to be there when the key is in that position.

Any help would be appreciate guys thank you.

 

[collardgreens]

That hole is on your belly pan or bottom cover.

Its a removable plastic cover that protects your undercarriage and oil pan. Mine is shot too.

By the looks of the oil film on your bell housing, you most likely will have to change your ccv gasket on the back of your intake manifold.

 

[collardgreens]

Research fan clutch threads. There is a way to tell if it's on it's way out. Can't remember now.

Check your plugs also.