Engine Problems and need your advice

[acshnitz_328i]

Guys this morning i had some what seems to be major issues with the car :(

on the way to work the engine started to make alot of noise, was that loud at first but then it gradually got louder espcially under accleration :eek:

Pulled into a petrol garage and checked the oil just in case. this was jus below minimum and so had some in the car and put it in. This took it between the markers so was looking ok. Turned the key and engine sounded how it normally does. Now halfway to work its getting louder again, same issue as earlier but this time sounds worse... it is noticable at idle and stupidly loud under acceration. I cant even go pass 2000 RPM on any gear as it just sounds like its going to explode. It really does!

Im really worried now as it sounds costly but havent got a clue what it could be... i would describe it as a clunking, rattling and grinding kind of sound. But the car was fine yesterday when i was driving it around.

I got to work and open the bonnet and looked in with the engine on. The block is shaking a fair bit but on closeer look the engina fan is not at the right angle. I know this because the housing that it normally sits is where it lines up to and the N/S is out of the housing and the O/S is within in it.

Iam at a lost and just managed to get the car to work and i dont think i will be driving it back and rather call the AA to come and get the car.

What i like to know if anyone have an idea of what it could be? I doubt the fan would have caused this much noise even if it is off centre.

Any help would be appreciated as i am at work and cant figure out what it could be :( :( :(

[J13JUT]

i'd certainly be looking at the fan as it connects directly to the water pump if its not spinning then the chances are the water pump isnt either ...... so if its low on oil as you said it was and your water pump isnt working either it spells trouble .... did you happen to notice if the temperature went up

[acshnitz_328i]

the fan was spinning but looks very out of shape. The temp gauge was on solid at the halfway and didnt go up at all.

The car is topped up again on oil but i will go out and check at lunch once the engine has cooled down. like i said i am not driving the car home as i need to get it to a garage without damaging it any more. The oddest thing is that it was fine yesterday but this morning it sounded a little rought but nothin more then what i expected from a cold engine. warmed it up a little and then of i went. 1/4 way it caused all this.

I thought the water pump was belt driven? in which case i think i was still running.

I am really at a complete lost and of all the numbers or bmw i have owned this has never happened before!

[acshnitz_328i]

just been told that it may be a water pump bearing that would have caused the noise and possibly cause the fan to be at an angel.

is this right? and someone mentioned engine mounts but i dont know how that would effect the car. sorry if i sound dumb but just a bit worried right now about the bill for the car.....

just when i was about to get the car some new shoes, it falls ill :(

[ccfj1]

Sorry to hear about your trouble mate,

It could be the water pump, but I'd be tempted to check the engine mounts first, if one of them has failed then the engine will slump over to the side that the mount has failed, this could be causing the fan (or belts/pullies) to catch on somthing (radiator cowl)?

Look down the sides of the engine and see if the rubber joints of the mounts have sheared.

Normally when the water pump fails it just leaks and the temp goes up, you don't normally get "a clunking, rattling and grinding kind of sound" you might get a high pitched squeal, but thats about it.

BTW, I would not drive the car if I were you, it does'nt sound good whatever it is.

[acshnitz_328i]

Sorry to hear about your trouble mate,

It could be the water pump, but I'd be tempted to check the engine mounts first, if one of them has failed then the engine will slump over to the side that the mount has failed, this could be causing the fan (or belts/pullies) to catch on somthing (radiator cowl)?

Look down the sides of the engine and see if the rubber joints of the mounts have sheared.

Normally when the water pump fails it just leaks and the temp goes up, you don't normally get "a clunking, rattling and grinding kind of sound" you might get a high pitched squeal, but thats about it.

BTW, I would not drive the car if I were you, it does'nt sound good whatever it is.

im not driving it at all now and after work i am going to call AA to come have a look and most importantly tow the car back to a garage near me.

i just had a look at the engine a little more closely, the water has gone down completely and non is left in the radiator (though i have been having leaks so this may be due to that)

most significant is that one of the fan blades has snapped off, but just one and the others dont have a single mark on them.

the engin does seem to be sitting a little down at the back end and the front does seem higher, though this mught be just me... it may be the fact that the mountas has gone which could mean the belts or fan is hitting something. but then at the same time this would mean stress on the drivetain, correct?

either way im just hoping that it wont cost alot to fix. but anyone with any more ideas then it would help though on another forum alot of people came to the conclusion of it being either the water pump or the mounts.... lets hope its just the mounts...

in either cases what kinda cost am i looking at for that repsectively?

[ccfj1]

im not driving it at all now and after work i am going to call AA to come have a look and most importantly tow the car back to a garage near me.

Wise move.


i just had a look at the engine a little more closely, the water has gone down completely and non is left in the radiator (though i have been having leaks so this may be due to that)

most significant is that one of the fan blades has snapped off, but just one and the others dont have a single mark on them.

Could be the mount has gone and the fan has then dug in, snapped the blade off and this has also caused stress on the water pump baring and caused that to fail as well.


the engin does seem to be sitting a little down at the back end and the front does seem higher, though this mught be just me... it may be the fact that the mountas has gone which could mean the belts or fan is hitting something. but then at the same time this would mean stress on the drivetain, correct?

I'd say yes, you are correct.


either way im just hoping that it wont cost alot to fix. but anyone with any more ideas then it would help though on another forum alot of people came to the conclusion of it being either the water pump or the mounts.... lets hope its just the mounts...

in either cases what kinda cost am i looking at for that repsectively?

Well, the mounts are gonna be sort of cheap http://tinyurl.com/2gvuye to fix, just a bit tricky to do, as you need a hoist to take the weight(sp?) of the engine and drivetrain while you swap them over.

The pump is not to bad, its just a bit of a git to get too, http://tinyurl.com/2l952n If your handy with the spanners then you could do it cheapish.

Probably no more than the tyres you were looking at, (hopefully, fingers x'ed).

[ian_79a]

Id get the water pump checked out first, when mine went it was making a grinding noise and the shaft would move in and out, there shouldn't be any movement in the shaft (in and out).
Its an easy DIY job

I paid about £60 from $telers just be careful you dont over tighten the bolts when doing them back up, it only an alloy head remember.

[acshnitz_328i]

Many thanks guys, been told by nearly everyone that the cause is the water pump.

Another member on a different forum had the EXACT same issue as i am having now with the same noise and same outcome. Turns out that it is the waterpump and its the gearings that have gone on it.

what i think i will do is that i will get the following changed over while it is in the garage so i can peace of mind:

water pump
fan blades
engine mounts
all belts
and new collant added in.

i have a very tiny leak in the expansion tank as well so i will be getting that swapped over to a new one to ensure that it is perfectly water tight....

Was really shocked at the noise that was made and scared the crap out of me as i was hitting around 60mph... slowed right down and luckily work is not too far and pulled over and left it. Thank goodness that i have AA recovery... worth the money just for the peace of mind!

I am getting the car towed back in about an hour or so as im leaving work early to get this sorted. Once i get it to the garage i will keep you guys updated with the outcome and costs (estimates only as we all know how they work)

heres hoping for less then £300 to fix! (there goes some of the money for the new shoes for the car) luckily i get paid tomorrow i guess!!!!

[acshnitz_328i]

just had the AA look at it and turns out was the water pump. the bearings are shot on it and this caused the fan to move in and out hitting thr radiator and the housing around it.

waiting for a recovery truck that can tow me as the car is sitting very low due to the GT lip on the front.

they said about an hour so heres hoping really.

more update on this soon

[hitenrallye]

You should replace the water pump and fan before you replace the engine mounts, the fan propeller will cause a vibration if one or more blades are snapped. If you need any help PM me. (i own a garage-in n-London) if it helps.

[acshnitz_328i]

You should replace the water pump and fan before you replace the engine mounts, the fan propeller will cause a vibration if one or more blades are snapped. If you need any help PM me. (i own a garage-in n-London) if it helps.

hey mate

many thanks for that offer!

i got the car back from hounslow to tottenham at 6pm. The AA really out did them selves. they qouted me 60mins for the guy to come and have a look and find out what was wrong. he came in 15mins and even text me the time he will arrive. He couldnt tow the car and asked for truck as the front end was very low due to the gt lip on the front.

Was then told 1.5 hours for the truck so back into the offic i go and in 30mins they called me to tell me the truck and the driver is by your car and waiting for you.... very shocked and rushed out and there he was... very cheerful chap and pleasant guy. The AA has out done themselves today!!!!

ok so got the car back. They had a quick look and turned the engine on for a split second and clearly was the wate pump. the fan blade and the water pump is going to be replaced regardless along with all the belts. as for the engine mounts. They are going to have a look at them. if the look even half way out they are going to change it. Its my locak boys that have seen my car from the very start.. going form stock to full sports model in months so they have dealt with me before and very relable.... plus they alwasy sort me out a lil discound :p

i got the company car for now and will get a call from them tomorrow morning to comfirm all tha they are going to do before they start.

i will let you guys know how that goes and once its done i see if she is the same or even better then before!!

but many thanks for anyone who gave me advice on the matter and it has been much appreciated :D

[Afif]

lol nice one. The last time i heard a 'clunking, rattling and grinding kind of sound' my engine blew up on the M6 ;).

[acshnitz_328i]

lol nice one. The last time i heard a 'clunking, rattling and grinding kind of sound' my engine blew up on the M6 ;).

haha thats because you was running the wrong diff!!!

i remember you telling me that and you had family in the car at the time as well :p

OK update on the situation.... it was the water pump bearing. The engine mounts turned out to be perfect and nothing wrong with them. The bearing just went on them thats all so so im having the water pump, belts and fan replaced and it should be with me tomorrow but cant collect till friday due to work so its me and my trusty oyster card for now.....

The parts alone is costing me in the region of £70 incl VAT plus labour on top but not sure what that will be yet but heres hoping its no more then 3 hours work on that.

[hitenrallye]

The book time to replace a water pump on E36 328i is 0.95 hours
So you should be paying @ 1-1.5 hours labour with belts.

We charge £60 + vat plus parts.

[acshnitz_328i]

The book time to replace a water pump on E36 328i is 0.95 hours
So you should be paying @ 1-1.5 hours labour with belts.

We charge £60 + vat plus parts.


that sounds like a good price there man... where are you based in north london as i may just take the car to you instead to do any jobs that may need doing on the car.... plus with being part of the same forum group the trust is already there :p

[acshnitz_328i]

ok update.....

not getting the car till saturday but the car will be ready tomorrow.

costing me £400 in total now....

this is because i need a new radiator fitted. the old one was leaking. Think when the fan pushed into it and the blades snapped off it punchtured into the rad so geting a brand new onw put in so the work done to the car is now:

NEW RADIATOR
NEW FAN
NEW WATER PUMP
NEW AC AND ALTERNATOR BELT
NEW COOLANT
NEW PULLEY

all this work had to be done due to one failure of a component... though was a very important component.

so £400 for all that.... what you think guys? btw when to check on the car today and showed me all the worn parts and must say... the belts where prob just a few miles away from snapping... was very worn and didnt even notice it....

but there you go guys all the work that is being done to the car now

once i get the car back i let you know how she drives