E36 technical help

Post Mon Jan 10, 2011 9:03 am

Hi my brothers P reg e36 has a weird sound coming from underneath the car, if you can imagine 2-3 saucepans banging around thats what it sounds like, only happens when driving. Theres also a leak when ever the car is driven but not when standing. Theres nothing hanging off the underneath and the leak doesn't look/feel like oil. I would appreciate any help on this please. Thanks.

Post Mon Jan 10, 2011 4:44 pm

Exhaust heat sheild is probably resting on top of the exhaust, same thing happened to me.

Post Mon Jan 10, 2011 5:31 pm

Ok thanks mate, what about the leak? Or could that be a seperate issue? Engineers at work said it could be the diff?

Post Tue Jan 11, 2011 9:27 am

For both issues, you're going to have to get underneath and have a look. The knocking could be anything - the exhaust falling off, prop centre bearing, guibo, heat shields falling off, etc., etc., and for the leak, you need to see where it's coming from, and what the fluid is.

Post Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:14 pm

Thanks for getting back to us brian, can i rule out the diff & gearbox? which is what some people are saying. Mechanic is coming tomm hopefully to have a look. Thanks again.

Post Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:40 pm

Ok had a look under the car and found what looked to be a big ring shape thing hanging directly under the gearbox (from inside), can't see too much of it because i only had a jack. any ideas???

Post Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:04 pm

At a guess, I'd say you are desperately in need of a new guibo - a rubber donut that transmits drive from the gearbox to the prop shaft. If it's in shreds, and is flailing around, some of the sound insulation might need some attention as well.