Re: Transmission rattle in neutral. Mechanic says normal.

[poffen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Russ Poffenberger)]

> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 12:45:05 -0400 (EDT)
> From: Neil Deshpande <deshpand@domain.elided>
> Subject: Transmission rattle in neutral.  Mechanic says normal.
> 
> My 1988 325is makes a rattling sound from the transmission when it is in
> neutral.  It is clearly audible at idle at 600 RPM.  Any higher and it
> either goes away or is drowned out by the engine noise. 
> 
> One mechanic I took it to says it is normal backlash noise.  This sounds
> reasonable to me. 
> 

Hi Neil, hows things?

The general concensus is that "they all do that". It is the layshaft bearing
that makes the noise, and usually doesn't indicate any problem. My 1990 325i
(218,000 miles) does the same thing, has for as long as I can remember. Using
Redline MTL helped a little, but it is still there.

1990 325i-2.9 "STROKD 6"
1998 SVT Cobra Mustang


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Russ Poffenberger               Engineering Specialist
Schlumberger Technologies ATE   DOMAIN: poffen@domain.elided
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