leaking differential!

orcomma · 10-07-2013, 04:47 PM

So I noticed a whining noise from the back whilst out and about last weekend - pitch related to the speed of the wheels not the engine - got it home and took a look underneath to notice oil dripping from the diff onto the hot exhaust (smoking!)

Recovered by BMW Emergency Service to the dealership who today have diagnosed failed oil seal. Part is on back order from Germany - I have a new F30 320d 8AT M-Sport until it arrives.

Can't fault the service - loving the 3 series (much faster than my 116d!)

Still - shame about not having mine back

My worry is that the 20-mile motorway trip with the whine has done some permanent damage to the diff... will an oil seal be enough or should they really be replacing the whole diff?

SomeRandomer123 · 10-09-2013, 05:15 PM

Wow that's an unusual one! Hopefully they'll decipher that for you and take appropriate action.

kook · 10-10-2013, 02:22 AM

Just make it very clear that you want the gears inspected when they have the cover off. And make sure you are there to inspect it with them. Any damage at all and a full replacement diff is what you need.
I was on hand at BMW when they had the whole rear end off my E46 M3 inspecting for subframe cracks. Fortunately none to be found...

ovekvam · 10-10-2013, 02:33 AM

It is possible to have a whining noise just because of low oil level. If something is damaged, I doubt it would be the gears. Bearings are a more common source of differential whining noise, and they are not easy to inspect by eye sight.

If there has been physical damage, you can tell by metal particles in the oil. I think there is a magnet on the drain plug, and it should not look like a hedgehog.

orcomma · 10-10-2013, 03:22 AM

I'd like to say I know more but I panicked and called for them to take it to a dealer before even getting a photo of the damage area - but basically the rotation of the driveshaft caused the oil to splatter all over the place, including the nearby exhaust.

Now it's at the dealers, undriveable, and waiting for the part - I can only do what can be done over the phone which is request an inspection. Apparently their techies know best.

How do I find out the spec of a BMW from the VIN number? I am curious if my F30 courtesy car has the sport auto or normal auto...

ovekvam · 10-10-2013, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orcomma

How do I find out the spec of a BMW from the VIN number? I am curious if my F30 courtesy car has the sport auto or normal auto...

http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/

kook · 10-10-2013, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ovekvam

http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/

Great resource, make sure you bookmark it, I found it indispensable when looking for demo cars.

orcomma · 10-11-2013, 02:11 AM

I don't suppose if anyone knows whether this is the standard 8AT or "Sport" 8AT:

S205A AUTOMATIC GETRIEBE Automatic transmission

omgguysomg · 10-11-2013, 03:01 AM

the sport auto has the flappy pedals, the normal auto doesn't

orcomma · 10-11-2013, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omgguysomg

the sport auto has the flappy pedals, the normal auto doesn't

thanks - this doesn't - so i guess that answers that!

still no news on my F20's diff seal - so still got the F30 for the near future

10-07-2013, 04:47 PM	#1
orcomma Dividing by zero 54 Rep 354 Posts Drives: F48 X1 XDrive20d xLine Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Manchester UK iTrader: (0)	leaking differential! So I noticed a whining noise from the back whilst out and about last weekend - pitch related to the speed of the wheels not the engine - got it home and took a look underneath to notice oil dripping from the diff onto the hot exhaust (smoking!) Recovered by BMW Emergency Service to the dealership who today have diagnosed failed oil seal. Part is on back order from Germany - I have a new F30 320d 8AT M-Sport until it arrives. Can't fault the service - loving the 3 series (much faster than my 116d!) Still - shame about not having mine back My worry is that the 20-mile motorway trip with the whine has done some permanent damage to the diff... will an oil seal be enough or should they really be replacing the whole diff? __________________ The Night Project - X1 20D xDrive xLine - Black Sapphire, Sun Protection Glass, 19" 511 wheels powder coated in high gloss black, Shadowline trim, MPerformance grilles.
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10-09-2013, 05:15 PM	#2
SomeRandomer123 Colonel 303 Rep 2,612 Posts Drives: F30 328i Luxury - Sport Auto Join Date: May 2011 Location: Lancashire, North West England, UK iTrader: (0)	Wow that's an unusual one! Hopefully they'll decipher that for you and take appropriate action. __________________ Gone: 2006 BMW E60 520d SE 6MT Gone: 2009 BMW E90-LCI 330d SE 6MT Current: 2012 F30 328i Luxury 8AT On Order: 2015 Audi A6 Avant Ultra, Black Edition (sorry!)
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10-10-2013, 02:22 AM	#3
kook Private 4 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2005 E46 M3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Perth, Australia iTrader: (0)	Just make it very clear that you want the gears inspected when they have the cover off. And make sure you are there to inspect it with them. Any damage at all and a full replacement diff is what you need. I was on hand at BMW when they had the whole rear end off my E46 M3 inspecting for subframe cracks. Fortunately none to be found... __________________ 2005 Le Mans Blue E46 M3
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10-10-2013, 02:33 AM	#4
ovekvam Brigadier General 266 Rep 3,290 Posts Drives: 2021 Galvanic Gold i3S Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bryne, Norway iTrader: (0)	It is possible to have a whining noise just because of low oil level. If something is damaged, I doubt it would be the gears. Bearings are a more common source of differential whining noise, and they are not easy to inspect by eye sight. If there has been physical damage, you can tell by metal particles in the oil. I think there is a magnet on the drain plug, and it should not look like a hedgehog.
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10-10-2013, 03:22 AM	#5
orcomma Dividing by zero 54 Rep 354 Posts Drives: F48 X1 XDrive20d xLine Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Manchester UK iTrader: (0)	I'd like to say I know more but I panicked and called for them to take it to a dealer before even getting a photo of the damage area - but basically the rotation of the driveshaft caused the oil to splatter all over the place, including the nearby exhaust. Now it's at the dealers, undriveable, and waiting for the part - I can only do what can be done over the phone which is request an inspection. Apparently their techies know best. How do I find out the spec of a BMW from the VIN number? I am curious if my F30 courtesy car has the sport auto or normal auto... __________________ The Night Project - X1 20D xDrive xLine - Black Sapphire, Sun Protection Glass, 19" 511 wheels powder coated in high gloss black, Shadowline trim, MPerformance grilles.
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10-11-2013, 02:11 AM	#8
orcomma Dividing by zero 54 Rep 354 Posts Drives: F48 X1 XDrive20d xLine Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Manchester UK iTrader: (0)	I don't suppose if anyone knows whether this is the standard 8AT or "Sport" 8AT: S205A AUTOMATIC GETRIEBE Automatic transmission __________________ The Night Project - X1 20D xDrive xLine - Black Sapphire, Sun Protection Glass, 19" 511 wheels powder coated in high gloss black, Shadowline trim, MPerformance grilles.
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10-11-2013, 03:01 AM	#9
omgguysomg Enlisted Member 5 Rep 48 Posts Drives: BMW F20 M135i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	the sport auto has the flappy pedals, the normal auto doesn't
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