Clattering sound at low revs under power - BMW 1-Series Forum (F20) 135i

MartinHattingh · 04-11-2012, 01:22 AM

Hi everyone,

My 118i has +- 2300km on it now after three weeks, and in general I'm very happy so far, it's an amazing machine. The sheer effortless pace when I ocassionaly flip it into Sport mode has not stopped putting a grin on my face!

One thing I noticed yesterday though when driving with the windows down, is that there's a definite clattering/rattling noise (from where I can't tell) when I accelerate with anything more than very mild effort at low speeds from 1500-2000rpm. It's most noticeable in 2nd gear, I presume because the speed's low enough that I can hear it. I can only hear it in that rev range though for that short initial burst, as soon as there's enough momentum going it disappears.

This is not a big problem, but I just wanted to check if anyone else has noticed this before I take it in to the dealer to have a look?

MartinHattingh · 04-11-2012, 08:36 AM

Has nobody else noticed this?

If not, I'm going to pay the dealer a visit...

Egeira · 06-08-2013, 08:13 AM

I'm both sad for your sake and glad that I'm not alone. It's been real tricky finding anyone else experiencing this. I watched your video from another thread and it is spot on.

http://youtu.be/TdGR8wy-4fk

A little more distinct when when cold but not much better when warm.
It excels around 1500 rpm going uphill and stutters a bit back and forth.
You can provoke the sound a bit by gently accelerating around 1500 rpm.
Only happens under acceleration (can't reproduce the sound on neutral).

I visited my dealer regarding this and they dismissed me with "it's nothing to worry about". Frankly I dont care if it is nothing to worry about, it still makes the ride sound cheap as hell in combination with the squeeking doors...

I'm starting to suspect the turbo heat shield resonating and causing these sounds. Did you find a solution to this yet?

I'm thinking this might be something that have been adressed in later f20's since I see no one complaining about it and the only one that I have come across is you which also have an early f20. Mine is a 118i Urban from September 2011. Apprently something is changing in 2012/01... Maybe they've forgot the 140 Hz vibration absorber.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...&fg=55&lang=en

I'm going to try and rig a mic for a recording this week and go one more round with the dealer. Hope you found a solution to this and it's now running good Please let me know either way.

hollpe · 06-08-2013, 12:37 PM

I've noticed this on mine as well. I'm not too worried about it to be honest. I had a very similar noise on an e46 330i and it was the heat shields that were causing the problem.

dape90 · 06-08-2013, 12:46 PM

Hi have a similar sound also slightly higher up the rev range. It's more annoying than anything else.

It's like the squeaky rear brake problem I sometimes get. Something to do with the M Performance brakes only. Does not affect the car, just annoying.

One thing I have found on the 118i engine is it is quite rattly generally. However this seems to be the way with modern 4 pots. High pressure fuel systems make them almost diesel sounding when cold.

D

Bob UK · 06-08-2013, 04:51 PM

My 120d Sport has a rattly sound in 1st and 2nd when accelerating that seems to come through the centre air vents. There is also an odd swish swish type noise at idle warm or cold I'm just hoping it isn't timing chain rattle from the rear of the engine, may ask the service guy to listen when it goes in next Thursday for other stuff.

Blaggy · 06-12-2013, 03:22 PM

Could be unrelated but my wifes 116i std Sport makes an awful racket when cold. Seems to get better after warming up, does sound like a heat shield but different problem to what your saying. It didnt do this when new, is a Feb 12 car and only done 3k miles. Both our cars have rusty seats so am going to get them booked in.

AusF20 · 06-13-2013, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinHattingh

Has nobody else noticed this?

If not, I'm going to pay the dealer a visit...

What fuel are you using

Could be that the fuel you are buying is not the best

Try Premium 98 RON first

ovekvam · 06-13-2013, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AusF20

What fuel are you using

Could be that the fuel you are buying is not the best

Try Premium 98 RON first

The N13 should run fine on 95.

westphone · 06-13-2013, 07:06 AM

I can hear and reproduce chattering doing hill start or starting on an incline, when I let out the clutch slowly to about 1500 rpm as you mentioned. I will have my dealer take a look at it, but for now I am just guessing it's heat shield like on the Toyota.

Bob UK · 06-13-2013, 05:23 PM

Mine got checked today, they said the engine sounded normal - keeping an ear on it in case it gets worse though but my rattling under acceleration was down to the heat shielding either round the turbo or exhaust channel as they went through all of it making sure it was seated properly. Once they put the car down the rattle had gone but I can't say which bit it may have been, sorry.

AusF20 · 06-13-2013, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ovekvam

The N13 should run fine on 95.

It must be the fuel here in Australia

Most of the 95 Ron here contains 10% Ethanol

I do not have any problems with 98 Ron

04-11-2012, 01:22 AM	#1
MartinHattingh Private First Class Drives: 118i Urban Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cape Town Posts: 183 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 118i Urban [4.00]	Clattering sound at low revs under power Hi everyone, My 118i has +- 2300km on it now after three weeks, and in general I'm very happy so far, it's an amazing machine. The sheer effortless pace when I ocassionaly flip it into Sport mode has not stopped putting a grin on my face! One thing I noticed yesterday though when driving with the windows down, is that there's a definite clattering/rattling noise (from where I can't tell) when I accelerate with anything more than very mild effort at low speeds from 1500-2000rpm. It's most noticeable in 2nd gear, I presume because the speed's low enough that I can hear it. I can only hear it in that rev range though for that short initial burst, as soon as there's enough momentum going it disappears. This is not a big problem, but I just wanted to check if anyone else has noticed this before I take it in to the dealer to have a look? Last edited by MartinHattingh; 04-16-2012 at 02:24 AM. Reason: spelling mistake
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06-08-2013, 08:13 AM	#3
Egeira Registered Drives: BMW 118i F20 2012 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Sweden Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	Engine rattle on low revs I'm both sad for your sake and glad that I'm not alone. It's been real tricky finding anyone else experiencing this. I watched your video from another thread and it is spot on. http://youtu.be/TdGR8wy-4fk A little more distinct when when cold but not much better when warm. It excels around 1500 rpm going uphill and stutters a bit back and forth. You can provoke the sound a bit by gently accelerating around 1500 rpm. Only happens under acceleration (can't reproduce the sound on neutral). I visited my dealer regarding this and they dismissed me with "it's nothing to worry about". Frankly I dont care if it is nothing to worry about, it still makes the ride sound cheap as hell in combination with the squeeking doors... I'm starting to suspect the turbo heat shield resonating and causing these sounds. Did you find a solution to this yet? I'm thinking this might be something that have been adressed in later f20's since I see no one complaining about it and the only one that I have come across is you which also have an early f20. Mine is a 118i Urban from September 2011. Apprently something is changing in 2012/01... Maybe they've forgot the 140 Hz vibration absorber. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...&fg=55&lang=en I'm going to try and rig a mic for a recording this week and go one more round with the dealer. Hope you found a solution to this and it's now running good Please let me know either way.

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04-11-2012, 08:36 AM	#2
MartinHattingh Private First Class Drives: 118i Urban Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cape Town Posts: 183 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 118i Urban [4.00]	Has nobody else noticed this? If not, I'm going to pay the dealer a visit...

06-08-2013, 12:37 PM	#4
hollpe Enlisted Member Drives: F20 118i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK Posts: 34 iTrader: (0)	I've noticed this on mine as well. I'm not too worried about it to be honest. I had a very similar noise on an e46 330i and it was the heat shields that were causing the problem.

06-08-2013, 12:46 PM	#5
dape90 Private Drives: 2013 F20 118i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Herts Posts: 91 iTrader: (0)	Hi have a similar sound also slightly higher up the rev range. It's more annoying than anything else. It's like the squeaky rear brake problem I sometimes get. Something to do with the M Performance brakes only. Does not affect the car, just annoying. One thing I have found on the 118i engine is it is quite rattly generally. However this seems to be the way with modern 4 pots. High pressure fuel systems make them almost diesel sounding when cold. D

06-08-2013, 04:51 PM	#6
Bob UK Enlisted Member Drives: 2012 120d Sport Join Date: May 2013 Location: England Posts: 34 iTrader: (0)	My 120d Sport has a rattly sound in 1st and 2nd when accelerating that seems to come through the centre air vents. There is also an odd swish swish type noise at idle warm or cold I'm just hoping it isn't timing chain rattle from the rear of the engine, may ask the service guy to listen when it goes in next Thursday for other stuff.

06-12-2013, 03:22 PM	#7
Blaggy New Member Drives: F20 116ED Sparkling Bronze Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: London Posts: 15 iTrader: (0)	Could be unrelated but my wifes 116i std Sport makes an awful racket when cold. Seems to get better after warming up, does sound like a heat shield but different problem to what your saying. It didnt do this when new, is a Feb 12 car and only done 3k miles. Both our cars have rusty seats so am going to get them booked in.

06-13-2013, 07:06 AM	#10
westphone Second Lieutenant Drives: M135i MT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Taiwan Posts: 214 iTrader: (0)	I can hear and reproduce chattering doing hill start or starting on an incline, when I let out the clutch slowly to about 1500 rpm as you mentioned. I will have my dealer take a look at it, but for now I am just guessing it's heat shield like on the Toyota.

06-13-2013, 05:23 PM	#11
Bob UK Enlisted Member Drives: 2012 120d Sport Join Date: May 2013 Location: England Posts: 34 iTrader: (0)	Mine got checked today, they said the engine sounded normal - keeping an ear on it in case it gets worse though but my rattling under acceleration was down to the heat shielding either round the turbo or exhaust channel as they went through all of it making sure it was seated properly. Once they put the car down the rattle had gone but I can't say which bit it may have been, sorry.