Gutted

[JAM60]

Hi Everone,Collected my 06 3.0D auto today and was very happy for the first 100 miles. Then the gearbox appeared to snatch under Throttle getting worse as it went on, if you give it the beans it snatches like a petrol car with a bad misfire It  also clunks when changing gear and I'm sure I can hear a transmission noise on the overun but comes and goes? I am sure I read ab article where a gearbox fault was being assumed as a misfire?

devastated as the car is a minter with excellent history.

Any pointers would be appreciated. The guy I bought it off suggested topping up the autobox through the dipstick tube??? It doesnt appear to have one or worse case scenario a couple of teeth have come off a diff?

This is the article I was on about   The transfer box is quite simple to test, once the drivetrain is fully up to working temperature. Problems will create the very convincing sensation of a misfire when the engine is under load, usually low down in the rev range. I’ve had cars suffering in this way brought to me by other garages, with the technician scratching his head about a mysterious misfire the car has, even though there’s no apparent cause!” But no mention of how to cure it?????

[JAM60]

I have come to the conclusion it is Fluid related as got up this morning, took it for a spin and all ok until it warmed up so auto box oil & filter change on the menu. also noticed there is a duck hiding in the engine compartment!!!! EGR valve keeps on quacking at me lol.

Anyone know the autobox capacity in?

Ahh well a few repairs to do. 

[Greydog]

Morning John

Sorry to hear your issues.  ZF state the box should be serviced every 60000 to 80000 kilometers BMW in their wisdom said "Sealed for Life" ??? I had my 5 speed serviced not long after I got the car by a ZF specialist cost me around £300 from memory and it will be done again later this year. The transfer box is separate from the transmission, as I have said in other posts do not ignore the Tyres make sure they are all (a) wearing evenly (b) preferably the same make and * rated. Transmission wind up will feel like a snatch or misfire, put the steering on full lock and reverse if you hear noises or feel snatching it is transfer box caused by most probably tyres are the cause. Be particuarly careful if you have the staggered set up (wider rear) it doesn't take much difference in front to rear rolling radius to cause wind up.

Have a look at www.realoem.com and www.newtis.info they will help if you are going to DIY. Newtis says the ZF 6 speed needs Shell M-1375 4 Long Life x 20 litres 

 

[JAM60]

Hi Greydog.

Thank you  for your pointers, will check that out tomorrow and post my findings. Tried to top the auto box up today but was unsure which was the top up plug and the correct procedure so gave up? Had  2004 3.0i a few years ago  which kept on stripping actuator gears but managed that ok.

[Greydog]

Morning John

I am quite handy with the spanners but after I read up on the top up procedure and needing the box to be at operating temp before final topping up I left it to the "expert" 

For Diffs and transfer box they are straight forward though often ignored, 

Good Luck

Dave

[JAM60]

Hi Greydog,

The top up procedure is straightforward enough and it did need topping up. Sad to say this didn't have any effect though.....It is always better when cold. Off to see an autobox guy on Thursday and get his opinion? There also appears to be a transmission rumble but that seems to come and go without any prompting ie corners/overun/acceleration.  The duck noise under the bonnet at idle  is the EGR valve! Starting to wish I'd stuck with plan A and bought an ML.

[JAM60]

Car came fitted with nearly new  Non star conti's so looking like transfer box? Seemed odd that it only happened when car up to temp???

 

[Greydog]

Make a chalk mark on the front and rear tyres at ground level then roll the car forward by 1 revolution of the front tyre, then check where the chalk mark is on the rear. Conti's are a reasonable brand so it may be a previous set that caused the issue. I had an issue when I first got my X5 and couldn't understand it when I did the chalk mark trick I had about 20mm difference in rolling radius front to rear obviously in a mile the difference was considerable the poor old transfer box on a BMW isn't a Diff it just shares torque front to rear and was struggling to cope. Fortunately I have a friendly and knowledgeable tyre centre near by when I buy tyres we stand all 4 together before fitting and if there is difference in height they will send tyres back a bit of a faff but it has saved me issues plus allows me to safely use non star rated tyres. I also change all 4 together I have the staggered set up 285 front 315 rear if your all 4 the same size matching tends to be easier.

[JAM60]

Hi Greydog,

Thanks for your suggestions/Help however it looks like my X3 ownership is going to be short & sweet.The dealer I bought the car off appears to be having a problem answering his phone after disbelieving my report about the transfer box???? So going legal about it.

Continental have admitted that the 255/45 R 18 are not recommended which it came with a pair fitted.

But Hey ho its another short and painful ownership of the X3

[Greydog]

Thats a real shame, that through some one fitting ill matched tyres whether the last owner or not, I think a car dealer or some one in the trade should know the potential for damage from mismatched tyres. It isnt just BMW Xdrives it is just about all 4 wheel drives. Having 4 tyres with good tread might make it legal to sell but not good for the customer.

I have a set of Vredstien Wintrac Extreme 255x45x18 wheels and tyres that I use as a winter set, they have little wear due to the deep the snow in Sussex!! I know they are close rolling radius and wear if your not far from Sussex you are welcome to borrow them to see if it makes a difference?

Dave

[p38fln]

Any car with 4 wheel drive, and especially any car with full time 4x4 is going to be very upset with mismatched tires.  They're so strict on tolerances you have to rotate them about every 10K miles to prevent issues with one end of the car wearing more than the other.  
Some cars (Ford Kuga II/Escape) will just disengage the transfer case and revert to front wheel drive if they detect this happening because they come with a mini-spare tire, but most AWD cars don't have this ability and will just burn up the transfer case (Or center differential, since these cars don't really have a true transfer case).  

 

 

[JAM60]

Still dragging on.Trader now saying its a private sale as He sold it on behalf of his girlfriend? But gave me a company headed receipt? So sadly looks like We are going to court..........

[Greydog]

If he made the sale from his premises and gave you a receipt then that is his tough luck I bet he didn't advertise it as a "private sale" also who did you pay? 

Good luck with the case

Dave