Clunking Noise

Diver · 01-08-2012, 08:28 AM

The differential was replaced, but that did not fix the problem. The incidence of noise has become more intermittent, making diagnosis impossible. It clunks for about the first mile or two, then quiets down, especially if the car is shut off for 5 minutes. Driving from place to place on errands it is usually quiet, but if the car is allowed to completely cool down, it starts up again.

Anybody have any ideas as to what is wrong?

RPL · 03-17-2012, 12:17 AM

I also suffer the same issue and had the noise identified by BMW Melbourne. It is a noise coming from the fuel tank which they tell me is a design fault. They told me its a baffle issue. Thing is, the car is under warranty until 2013 and they will not replace the tank. Ways to identify the issue are: Will usually show up when the fuel tank is 3/4 - 1/3 full, more obvious on cooler days & under light breaking at slow speed. Hold and release the break before coming to a complete stop. For those who have this issue will know the breaking thing I have mentioned. For those who have or had this problem, please let me know and if it has ever be fixed and how ???

RPL · 03-17-2012, 12:19 AM

I also suffer the same issue and had the noise identified by BMW Melbourne. It is a noise coming from the fuel tank which they tell me is a design fault. They told me its a baffle issue. Thing is, the car is under warranty until 2013 and they will not replace the tank. Ways to identify the issue are: Will usually show up when the fuel tank is 3/4 - 1/3 full, more obvious on cooler days & under light breaking at slow speed. Hold and release the break before coming to a complete stop. For those who have this issue will know the breaking thing I have mentioned. For those who have or had this problem, please let me know and if it has ever be fixed and how ???

Diver · 03-17-2012, 01:33 PM

The car has since been inspected by a BMW factory engineer. He recommended replacing the bushings which connect the axle carrier to the body. This was done and it did not help. I will try to observe fuel levels to see if there is any relationship, but my hunch is it is not gas sloshing around in my car.

Diver · 03-22-2012, 04:32 PM

For some reason, perhaps warm weather, the car was quiet for about 3 days. Then it rained and when things dried out the noise came back. I have only driven a very short distance since then, so I will see what happens this evening when I go out.

Ihave1 · 03-22-2012, 04:35 PM

I don't think this is the same problem but I was able to get rid of my clunk that only happened when I was turning right, into my inclined driveway by adjusting my parking brake.

BMW86 · 03-22-2012, 05:24 PM

Check the exhaust to see if it's touching the cross brace or underbody. Is yours aftermarket or stock?

entendu · 04-26-2012, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver

My 135i makes a clunking noise in the rear of the car when starting out, and sometimes when going over bumps at low speed. It is intermittent and can not always be reproduced. It used to be worse, but the dealer replaced the rear shock mounts and tightened a bunch of bolts. Last time I took it in they said the noise was normal for the car and that one of the techs owned one and it made the same noise.

What should I do?

I know this thread is ancient, but did you ever figure this out? I get the same kind of noise in my vert, and I think I tracked it down to the rear window, which accounts for the noise disappearing when the roof is up.

dojk · 05-22-2012, 05:18 AM

Anyone checked their bushings?

pinmagic · 05-22-2012, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dojk

Anyone checked their bushings?

See post #26.

texasmojo · 05-22-2012, 07:16 AM

I bet its the end links.

Diver · 05-22-2012, 07:16 AM

BMW very graciously solved the problem. I tell my neighbors I had the car painted. Now I have a 2012.

dojk · 05-23-2012, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinmagic

See post #26.

Those bushings didn't help..... what about the other bushings?

pinmagic · 05-23-2012, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver

BMW very graciously solved the problem. I tell my neighbors I had the car painted. Now I have a 2012.

Are you telling me they replaced your car over a clunking noise???

shah269 · 05-23-2012, 02:28 PM

Must have been more than just that! I mean if they give you a new car it means they know they screwed up.

01-08-2012, 08:28 AM	#23
Diver Brigadier General 504 Rep 3,446 Posts Drives: Black '12 135i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	The differential was replaced, but that did not fix the problem. The incidence of noise has become more intermittent, making diagnosis impossible. It clunks for about the first mile or two, then quiets down, especially if the car is shut off for 5 minutes. Driving from place to place on errands it is usually quiet, but if the car is allowed to completely cool down, it starts up again. Anybody have any ideas as to what is wrong? __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com Last edited by Diver; 01-08-2012 at 10:43 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2012, 12:17 AM	#24
RPL Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	BMW 135i 2008 - Knocking noise in right rear !!!!! I also suffer the same issue and had the noise identified by BMW Melbourne. It is a noise coming from the fuel tank which they tell me is a design fault. They told me its a baffle issue. Thing is, the car is under warranty until 2013 and they will not replace the tank. Ways to identify the issue are: Will usually show up when the fuel tank is 3/4 - 1/3 full, more obvious on cooler days & under light breaking at slow speed. Hold and release the break before coming to a complete stop. For those who have this issue will know the breaking thing I have mentioned. For those who have or had this problem, please let me know and if it has ever be fixed and how ???
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2012, 12:19 AM	#25
RPL Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	I also suffer the same issue and had the noise identified by BMW Melbourne. It is a noise coming from the fuel tank which they tell me is a design fault. They told me its a baffle issue. Thing is, the car is under warranty until 2013 and they will not replace the tank. Ways to identify the issue are: Will usually show up when the fuel tank is 3/4 - 1/3 full, more obvious on cooler days & under light breaking at slow speed. Hold and release the break before coming to a complete stop. For those who have this issue will know the breaking thing I have mentioned. For those who have or had this problem, please let me know and if it has ever be fixed and how ???
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2012, 01:33 PM	#26
Diver Brigadier General 504 Rep 3,446 Posts Drives: Black '12 135i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	The car has since been inspected by a BMW factory engineer. He recommended replacing the bushings which connect the axle carrier to the body. This was done and it did not help. I will try to observe fuel levels to see if there is any relationship, but my hunch is it is not gas sloshing around in my car. __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com Last edited by Diver; 03-17-2012 at 03:27 PM..
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03-22-2012, 04:32 PM	#27
Diver Brigadier General 504 Rep 3,446 Posts Drives: Black '12 135i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	For some reason, perhaps warm weather, the car was quiet for about 3 days. Then it rained and when things dried out the noise came back. I have only driven a very short distance since then, so I will see what happens this evening when I go out. __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-22-2012, 04:35 PM	#28
Ihave1 Private First Class 42 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NC, USA iTrader: (1)	I don't think this is the same problem but I was able to get rid of my clunk that only happened when I was turning right, into my inclined driveway by adjusting my parking brake.
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03-22-2012, 05:24 PM	#29
BMW86 Major General 398 Rep 9,156 Posts Drives: RS3 Sedan / Macan S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Check the exhaust to see if it's touching the cross brace or underbody. Is yours aftermarket or stock?
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05-22-2012, 05:18 AM	#31
dojk Private First Class 19 Rep 179 Posts Drives: E82 135i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Anyone checked their bushings?
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05-22-2012, 07:16 AM	#33
texasmojo Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 223 Posts Drives: 2008 128i automatic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: DFW Texas, USA iTrader: (0)	I bet its the end links. __________________
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05-23-2012, 02:28 PM	#37
shah269 Major 315 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: 2009 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Must have been more than just that! I mean if they give you a new car it means they know they screwed up.
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