Winding/Grinding noise when cold

[bluebastion]

I love my ti. Only owner, and have had it since 98. However, it has started (beginning of winter season) to make weird winding/grinding noises when really cold (under 50 degreees F). And it gets louder when turning left on street turns. There seems to be two noises... one from the engine compartment (when listening from the inside of cab), and one that SOMETIMES comes from under the automatic shifter(which sounds more rackety like something's vibrating or grinding). The first noise can be expected now during *COLD* cold start ups and will last for about 5 minutes of driving. While the second one is more short lived. Both become significantly louder on left turns. Could this be the Catalytic converter recall problem? Or should it have been already corrected on a 98 model? Anyhow, I plan to take this to the shop by the end of the month (using tax refund money) and hopefully have it checked out thoroughly... I have BTW had the engine mounts checked out in the passed year, and one of them has gone bad... still gotta get that fixed too.
I don't claim to know much about cars, however I do love my ti, and BMW's in general... and would like to learn more as I use this forum. One more question to add.... what are the "bushings" or something like that, which seems to be needing replacing.... I want to be sure I know what I'm getting into if I want alot of the "Things-That-Should-Be-Expected-To-Fix" to get checked/fixed. Thanks for all your help... I know that a similar problem was posted as well, but not really answered. :?

[bluebastion]

Two more things... The noises DO go away after the few minutes of driving.... and when the warm spells come in... around the 60's, I have not noticed any noises at all.

As for the "bushings" question... I did not mean that mine seemed to be needing replacement, but just reading on the forum made me think it was something of concern.

[bluebastion]

Bump

[aceyx]

is the worn engine mount on the right side? it would explain a lot.

take your car in to get checked out (estimates are free), and decide if you have to get it fixed soon, or if it can wait.


i would say wheel bearing but that doesn't go away when the engine warms up. what happens if you let the car idle to warm, then drive?

[bluebastion]

On cold days I use my remote start(aftermarket of course) to warm it up... it only has a time limit of 12minutes.. then shuts down... but if I warm it up twice it seems that the noise is non existent or it last for a minute or so.

[bluebastion]

bump

[BiimerDude97]

hey i have that same problem with my car. i just got it around christmas time and it has been doing that when i start it up in the morning. i can't figure out where the sound is coming from.

[ATF]

No sense in making a new thread.

Same exact problem as described. A definite grinding, humming noise from inside. Vibrations felt in the shifter (automatic). Should I be worried or just drive lightly until the tranny heats up?

[mohaughn]

My 328 started doing the same thing last year. Automatic transmission, would only make a weird knocking noise when cold.

After a while I think the transmission issues, if that is what it is, will get worse. Just the beginning of a transmission failure. I can still drive my 328 if I really coddle the transmission. But it will often have it go into "limp mode" where it throws the transmission check light. Then when the car is restarted it throws a CEL for gear 3 incorrect gear ratio. It did this three or four times in 2007.

Beyond having a basic transmission service done, you would have to have an experienced mechanic take a look at the transmission. I never messed with mine and will probably end up doing a swap vs. having a mechanic drop the automatic and try to repair it.

[DustenT]

Check your power steering fluid too.

[ATF]

Check your power steering fluid too.

The power steering fluid was over the two graduations on the cap's stem. (On a level surface) The color was a light red/purple.

I'm almost 100% sure it's the tranny. I can feel the vibrations the most from the shifter when I just rest my hand on it. (My hand isn't related to the vibrations)
Also, coasting down hill, will make the noise as well (when the engine is cold)

[ATF]

Now that Dusten mentioned it. The grinding really only occurs when going straight, or bearing/turning left. Seems when I bear right or turn right, the grinding disappears (all of this happening when the engine is cold.) When the engine is warm, nothing audible. I'm worried guys, please help me :( I have to go to work in the cold Boston mornings for the next 4 months with no garage and no possibility of remote starts :(

[ATF]

A quick search on BF.c and I think i've found the problem/solution!

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=867286&highlight=grinding+noise+cold