E90 330i Hole in Flywheel?

gotgemini2000 · 11-09-2011, 11:16 AM

I have a 2006 330i with 92K miles. For the past 10K miles, it has been making a slight rattling sound while in neutral with the clutch released.

Initially my mechanic thought it was just a loose spring in the dual mass flywheel and that it didn't warrant the expense to fix. However, I recently took it in as the sound and vibration increased. My mechanic took the transmission down, and said there is actually a hole in the flywheel and leaking grease/fluid everywhere (he'll keep the part so I can probably get pictures of it later). Accordingly, I need a new flywheel and new clutch (old one isn't worn but might as well replace it).

Has anyone had any problem like this before? I drive my car hard, but I don't do anything weird with my clutch other than rev-matching/double clutching while downshifting.

RupertPupkin · 11-09-2011, 12:22 PM

Definitely want to see the outcome. I have 72k on the clock and have a "chatter" at idle in neutral. Hope this is some freak thing and not what mine is doing.

mike-y · 11-09-2011, 12:35 PM

The main seal on these engines are known to leak, it could be that. but an actual "hole" in the flywheel is very strange, and I haven't heard of it before. Usually, when a flywheel fails, the results are catastrophic, but it doesn't normally happen in street cars.

but if the flywheel became unbalanced, it would vibrate all the other parts around it (and attached to it) and damage seals and possibly the main bearings too.

gotgemini2000 · 11-09-2011, 12:49 PM

I'll let you guys know what I find out. In the least 10,000 miles, I've had:

(1) Left headlight fail leading to/because of fried wiring harness: Around $1200
(2) Battery harness fail leading to battery fire and need of new battery harness: Around $1000 after towing etc.
(3) chatter sound leading to flywheel failure (current problem) for a bill that should be around $2000

I am debating the point of keeping the car at this point (although I'm obviously getting everything fixed). Perhaps it's time to get a juicy manual-transmission turbo E90 335i as I see those cars coming down in price with low mileage as the new one is rolling out.

11-09-2011, 11:16 AM	#1
gotgemini2000 Private First Class 23 Rep 158 Posts Drives: G80 & E46 M3, 6 speed manuals Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	E90 330i Hole in Flywheel? I have a 2006 330i with 92K miles. For the past 10K miles, it has been making a slight rattling sound while in neutral with the clutch released. Initially my mechanic thought it was just a loose spring in the dual mass flywheel and that it didn't warrant the expense to fix. However, I recently took it in as the sound and vibration increased. My mechanic took the transmission down, and said there is actually a hole in the flywheel and leaking grease/fluid everywhere (he'll keep the part so I can probably get pictures of it later). Accordingly, I need a new flywheel and new clutch (old one isn't worn but might as well replace it). Has anyone had any problem like this before? I drive my car hard, but I don't do anything weird with my clutch other than rev-matching/double clutching while downshifting.
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11-09-2011, 12:22 PM	#2
RupertPupkin Major 92 Rep 1,456 Posts Drives: Freak Beast Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East iTrader: (5)	Definitely want to see the outcome. I have 72k on the clock and have a "chatter" at idle in neutral. Hope this is some freak thing and not what mine is doing.
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11-09-2011, 12:35 PM	#3
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	The main seal on these engines are known to leak, it could be that. but an actual "hole" in the flywheel is very strange, and I haven't heard of it before. Usually, when a flywheel fails, the results are catastrophic, but it doesn't normally happen in street cars. but if the flywheel became unbalanced, it would vibrate all the other parts around it (and attached to it) and damage seals and possibly the main bearings too.
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11-09-2011, 12:49 PM	#4
gotgemini2000 Private First Class 23 Rep 158 Posts Drives: G80 & E46 M3, 6 speed manuals Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	I'll let you guys know what I find out. In the least 10,000 miles, I've had: (1) Left headlight fail leading to/because of fried wiring harness: Around $1200 (2) Battery harness fail leading to battery fire and need of new battery harness: Around $1000 after towing etc. (3) chatter sound leading to flywheel failure (current problem) for a bill that should be around $2000 I am debating the point of keeping the car at this point (although I'm obviously getting everything fixed). Perhaps it's time to get a juicy manual-transmission turbo E90 335i as I see those cars coming down in price with low mileage as the new one is rolling out.
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