First post from a newbe with a 525iT

[Charlie Yuan]

This is my first post in this forum, but I have been following the forum for the better part of three years. I have gained a lot of knowledge from this forum. This is my third BMW, previous cars are 87 325e and 91 525i. Love the touring. BTW, how do you post pictures in this site? I would love to post some pictures of my car.

My question has to do with an unusual sound that my mechanic cannot diagnose at this early stage. BTW, I am from Blacksburg, VA so please recommend good BMW mechanics nearby would be of great help. The 525iT is an automatic. The sound happens when the car shifts from second to third gear. It feels like something catching or grinding, so it feels like there is slight resistance. This usually happens between 20-30 mph. The sound is coming from underneath the engine just about two feet in front of the driver. This car has 183,000 miles and the transmission was rebuilt 25,000 miles ago. A transmission specialist has checked it out and said that it wasn't a transmission problem. I wondered if it was a front drive shaft problem or some kind of linkage problem. My mechanic cannot rule this out. I was wondering since my front brakes are due for rotor and brake pad replacement if this problem may be associated with that. When you drive past 25 mile per hour, the car shifts fine. When you downshift to a stop from a speed greater than 25 miles per hour, there is a similar slight sound as well. The whole front end shakes a little when you are just about to stop.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Gayle]

Welcome Charlie,

Here is an extended discussion of posting pictures prepared by BigKriss.

How to post pics by BigKriss (http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=13579)

It is included in the sticky above which gives helpful information to newbies about posting.

I have a simplified explanation on picture posting that I will send you by private message.

I don't know VA geography to know if this is close, but I see a VA mechanic on the recommended list on this forum.

Mechanics recommended by forum members (http://www.bimmer.info/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=40)

Here this the IAIBMWSP link

International Association of Independent BMW Service Professionals (http://www.iaibmwsp.org/index.html)

I am going to shout your other request for you.

Would someone please answer this man's question about why his rebuilt auto tranny might be catching, grinding, resisting when shifting from second to third even though the tranny specialist says its fine?

Charlie, we seem to be a little slow in responding since football season started. Keep the faith. Someone will eventually share some words of wisdom.

[Charlie Yuan]

Thanks Gayle, I will get the picts posted, I know there are a lots great people in this forum, But because I do not know anything about repairs, so I felt ill qualified to post anything usefull, that is the reason why I have be lurking around but not registered till now, I just love BMW E34 cars, but apart from the oil and all the filter changes, anything else wrong, I will take to a good mechanic, just moved to VA last year and luckly I have not need a BMW repair for a year ( a record for me) so I did not know who is good around here.

[angrypancake]

Thanks Gayle, I will get the picts posted, I know there are a lots great people in this forum, But because I do not know anything about repairs, so I felt ill qualified to post anything usefull, that is the reason why I have be lurking around but not registered till now, I just love BMW E34 cars, but apart from the oil and all the filter changes, anything else wrong, I will take to a good mechanic, just moved to VA last year and luckly I have not need a BMW repair for a year ( a record for me) so I did not know who is good around here.



You should get your hands on a Bentley Manual, it enables those of us who previously were scared to lift the hood spend hours under it. And don't worry about posting worth-while comments every post, it just doesnt happen.

[Charlie Yuan]

I love the color of your 535i, Angeypancake, I nerver seen one that color before, everytime one of our E34 cars passes by I always look and sometimes wave at the other driver, but not once they wave back, oh well. I have a CHITON manual, it was useless. you are right I need to get on the *bay, buy a Bentley.

[Gayle]

I love the color of your 535i, Angeypancake, I nerver seen one that color before, everytime one of our E34 cars passes by I always look and sometimes wave at the other driver, but not once they wave back, oh well. I have a CHITON manual, it was useless. you are right I need to get on the *bay, buy a Bentley.


Charlie--Angrypancake's bmw changes color. ;)

[Charlie Yuan]

Here are the pictures. Thanks to Gayle. These pictures were taken three years ago when I first bought the car from the dealer.http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d158/beijingcar/2c8a36c0.jpg http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d158/beijingcar/e691b4fc.jpg http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d158/beijingcar/184b5e8f.jpg

[TheDuke]

This is one sossy E34!! Congrads Charlie.

[Gayle]

I can't believe you havn't gotten a single bite on your serious question.

Would someone please answer this man's question about why his rebuilt auto tranny might be catching, grinding, resisting when shifting from second to third even though the tranny specialist says its fine?

[Elekta]

Welcome Charlie.

Have to admit that in any color, the touring is one beautiful automobile. Your shiny red is no exception.

You could email Kurt about your tranny issue over at Koala... http://www.koalamotorsport.com/contact.asp

[kyleN20]

i dont know the anwser

[632 Regal]

what kind of sound???

[Charlie Yuan]

Hi guys, thanks all for trying to help, Jeff, it sounds like 2 metallic things rub against each other. It is not that loud at all, and only happens when the engine is under load. When the car is cold, it sound louder than when the car has been driven a while. It sounds like SHIZoom, please forgive my English. My wife says that it sounds like a toot from a train (like it is letting off steam) but it is not very loud. It is of short duration, may be less than half second. I had ruled out brake problem this afternoon. I checked records. The front brake was replaced 30,000 miles ago. I have all the records for this car since this car is new, I am the third owner and for the past three years, it has been running great, BMW for life for the Yuan family.