Car Shaking when Idle

skiba · 22 Mar 2009 at 21:29

Over the last couple of my days my car (2000/330d) seems to be shaking when idling. It's fine when it gets moving and noticably better when I put it in park instead of drive (auto). I know you shouldn't leave it in drive but at lights etc. it should be ok right? So what's causing it to shake, it almost feels like its moving from side to side and definitely in the engine bay. Cheers!

Morba · 22 Mar 2009 at 21:30

how many miles?

The Edge · 22 Mar 2009 at 21:37

engine mount?

skiba · 22 Mar 2009 at 22:39

105k on the clock...lots...seemed to have been made worse when I gave it some a couple of days ago.

loltim · 22 Mar 2009 at 22:42

Is it idling at less RPM than it normally does?

Django x2 · 22 Mar 2009 at 22:52

Its the balancer unit held on with a woodruff key. At this mileage they start to work loose and the balancer unit can no longer keep the engine smooth.

The only real other possibility is a faulty injector.

NickXX · 22 Mar 2009 at 22:56

Do you get a clunking noise too when you pull away? If so it could be an engine mount.

skiba · 22 Mar 2009 at 23:08

No odd noises at all, idling rpm is around 700 I believe. Lucero's explaination sounds likely actually. Is this something I can check or does it need to go back to the mechanic?

Morba · 22 Mar 2009 at 23:42

Lucero said:
a woodruff key

my keys have been nowhere near his car!!!

(that kinda freaked me out seeing that, thought you knew my surname and linked my 3 series to his for a funny

)

my first thought was a ****ed injector (i think mine is about to kill another. thankgod AA have taken the car on for some sort of warrenty hehe)

Morba · 22 Mar 2009 at 23:49

NickXX said:
Do you get a clunking noise too when you pull away? If so it could be an engine mount.

isnt there something that has a very tight belt on it, somewhere around the crank or something, that can start making an odd noise?
if its got a belt on it and going wrong, then that could possibly cause some movement..

remember reading something about potential issues a while ago before getting mine.

Django x2 · 22 Mar 2009 at 23:50

skiba said:
No odd noises at all, idling rpm is around 700 I believe. Lucero's explaination sounds likely actually. Is this something I can check or does it need to go back to the mechanic?

Its this if I'm not mistaken

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AL92&mospid=47642&btnr=11_2317&hg=11&fg=18

It would be a bumper off job including ancillaries, (fan, lights, crash beam, etc).

Probably best for a mecahinc to look at if you're not sure.

Django x2 · 22 Mar 2009 at 23:50

Morba said:
isnt there something that has a very tight belt on it, somewhere around the crank or something, that can start making an odd noise?
if its got a belt on it and going wrong, then that could possibly cause some movement..

remember reading something about potential issues a while ago before getting mine.

Same thing as above I believe

Morba · 22 Mar 2009 at 23:51

Lucero said:
Same thing as above I believe

that could well be it, looks like it could be close from the pics on that site.

skiba - find a good indy :]

skiba · 23 Mar 2009 at 13:04

Thanks gents, I know a good ex-dealer mechanic who should sort it for me.