About 3 weeks ago I got in my car in the morning and when I shifted to 2nd gear it popped out quite suddenly and I noticed the gear box was very loose and it did it again when I shifted to 4th gear. Although I was alarmed and thought about going back home I decided to carry on because I needed to get to my appointment. As I drove everything started to tighten up again and shifting returned to the normal feel. This has been happening every morning since. It seems that when my car sits, the gear box gets loose and then corrects itself as I drive...please tell me it's a simple problem like low fluid or something.
Thanks...it's a 2000 328i
BMW manual transmission problem?computer virus
From the sound of it, you may need new transmission bushings. Basically, the thin sleeve that lines the hole in the tranny where the shifter lodges becomes worn over time and more subject to changes in temperature -- very common problem in BMW manual transmissions, unfortunately. I have a 2001 330ci, and it has a similar problem in 5th gear until the transmission warms up (only takes a mile or so before the problem goes away). Unfortunately, repairing the problem will involve dropping the transmission and will likely cost you in the neighborhood of $450++, if the problem is what I think it is. The good news is that it's not harming your transmission to drive it as-is, and if you're ok with the shifter feeling mushy for the first few minutes of the day, you can get by without fixing it. Once the weather gets cold, however, the problem will likely get worse. I'm delaying my repair until sometime in the dead of winter, if at all. Good luck, and keep us posted if you take it in for an estimate.
No comments:
Post a Comment