Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: 520D auto / ZF 6HP possible problem..

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    BMWHaus Guru
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    1,761

    520D auto / ZF 6HP possible problem..

    Evening.

    In another thread I talk about a problem with my harmonic balanced failing. Now the rough idle when stationary in D is getting worse. I’m suspecting I may have a gearbox fault.

    It seems to only happen when the car is warmed up, my initial thinking was as the harmonic balanced rubber warms it loses stiffness and vibrates with the engine under load. Prior to this I thought it was an injector issue causing a rough idle.

    This evening I’ve noticed another issue which was a lightbulb moment

    While creeping slowly in D or R, ie: parking, I felt the car surging ... as if I was lightly tapping the brakes every second.
    This then rang a bell with me, i previously had experiences on the motorway when cruising that occasionally I would feel a very very slight and sudden deceleration as if once again I had lightly tipped the brakes.

    Has anyone experienced issues like this before??

    I’m very concerned that it is the torque converter on the way out but hope fully something simpler like the valve body seals leaking and fluctuations in valve body pressure when warm.i changed the fluid and filter a year ago but left the seals un disturbed. It was just a fluid change not a flush, the car drove so well until recently.
    I have the typical harsh downshift from 2 to 1, which also tends to point towards valve body seals

    Any thoughts and advice is hugely appreciated.

    Cheers,
    John

  2. #2
    BMWHaus Guru
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    1,761
    To add:

    No fault codes in the EGS. Only some glow plug faults in DME, replacement glow module in the post.

  3. #3
    BMWHaus Guru
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    1,761

    520D auto / ZF 6HP possible problem..

    @mods, can this thread be renamed please? ‘E60 520d engine vibration at idle’

    Thanks...


    I reset EGS adaptations, no change to the idling issue.
    I disconnected the maf for the drive home.
    No change, car was just a bit lifeless.

    Tomorrow I will check engine mounts and the associated vacuum piping(active engine mounts). Also will check all other vacuum pipes that I can see.

    I will also run more injector cleaner, although injectors look spot on in inpa... All rotational mass conformity values are well between +1 and -1
    Last edited by John_D; 07-11-19 at 21:06.

  4. #4
    BMWHaus Guru
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    1,761
    Update. I did a lot of city driving today and car was at its worst. In D at idle pulsating vibrations causing the whole car to slightly shuffle side to side, like as if the engine was hunting but the idle was steady. Vibration could be felt gently accelerating from a standstill until around 30kph or so.

    After an hour or so cooling down outside I went back out to the shops with inpa connected. Checked all values and everything looked ok. Gear oil temp approx 70-75C. When stopped at the lights the pulsating vibration was gone it just felt again like a rough idle... however this completely went away if I moved the gear selector across to sport and manually selected 1st.
    So it seems it’s happening when stopped in 2nd gear only. And it seem that it’s highly dependent or gear oil temperature or viscosity since it gets worse as it gets hotter.(car is perfect when cold)

    Am I right in saying it sounds like a knackered torque converter or lockup clutch?

    I will check fluid level in the coming days, may also try a friction modifier additive.

  5. #5
    BMWHaus Guru
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Dublin, Ireland
    Posts
    3,625
    Quote Originally Posted by John_D View Post
    Update. I did a lot of city driving today and car was at its worst. In D at idle pulsating vibrations causing the whole car to slightly shuffle side to side, like as if the engine was hunting but the idle was steady. Vibration could be felt gently accelerating from a standstill until around 30kph or so.

    After an hour or so cooling down outside I went back out to the shops with inpa connected. Checked all values and everything looked ok. Gear oil temp approx 70-75C. When stopped at the lights the pulsating vibration was gone it just felt again like a rough idle... however this completely went away if I moved the gear selector across to sport and manually selected 1st.
    So it seems it’s happening when stopped in 2nd gear only. And it seem that it’s highly dependent or gear oil temperature or viscosity since it gets worse as it gets hotter.(car is perfect when cold)

    Am I right in saying it sounds like a knackered torque converter or lockup clutch?

    I will check fluid level in the coming days, may also try a friction modifier additive.
    Have you driven another one John? Happy to compare mine if you want?

  6. #6
    BMWHaus Guru
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    1,761
    Quote Originally Posted by 318 iS Cosmos View Post
    Have you driven another one John? Happy to compare mine if you want?
    I have not, but may take you up on the offer sometime if my head gets sufficiently melted

    I remember how it was for the first year or so of ownership though, this is a new problem that has only manifested itself in the past few months so i have a good baseline for comparison.

    situation update.. problem worsens with AC switched on, completely goes away if i select DS ,returns when i select D.

    waiting for non-manky morning to do a proper inspection and fit the new TVD.

    Cheers,
    John

  7. #7
    BMWHaus Guru
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    2,891
    The symptoms seem to point more to an electrical or software issue as it looks like the mechanical functionality is working, albeit only in specific circumstances. It sounds like you need a really good diagnostician or auto electrician, otherwise head melting is almost guaranteed.
    Current: BMW 530e M-Sport - '17, BMW 630i Sport auto - '07, BMW 325i Coupe - '93, BMW Z4 2.5si Auto - '07, '90 BMW 316i Lux.

    Previous: BMW 328i Coupe - '96, BMW 530i SE auto - '07, BMW 530i Sport auto - '02, BMW 318i SE Touring - '07, BMW 330Ci Sport - '04, BMW 520d SE - '11, BMW 523i SE - '00, BMW 328i SE Touring - '00, BMW 523i SE - '97, BMW 323i SE - '98, 330Ci - '00, 325i Coupe - '93, 318Ci - '01, 316iSE - '98, 325iSE 2dr - '91, 320i Conv - '91, 325i Coupe - '92, 320i 2dr - '91.

  8. #8
    Gearbox oil/filter ever been changed?

  9. #9
    BMWHaus Guru
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    1,761
    Quote Originally Posted by Roberto View Post
    Gearbox oil/filter ever been changed?
    About a year ago.

  10. #10
    BMWHaus Guru
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    1,761

    520D auto / ZF 6HP possible problem..

    Replaced the vibration damper today.

    Vibration still present after car warms up.

    However, it seems to have changed a little bit I can’t put my finger on it. Engine much smoother and less rattly for sure.

    I have more testing to do, bought a vacuum tester so next port of call will be vacuum pipes and engine mounts.

Similar Threads

  1. F10 520d Intermittent Starting Problem
    By shano76 in forum Engine & Servicing
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 23-10-18, 09:38
  2. 1996 E34 525i Auto battery problem
    By kim1boone in forum 5 Series
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 01-02-16, 08:37
  3. Another BMW timing chain problem (2011 520d)
    By Dricco in forum General Car Chat
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 29-04-15, 19:12
  4. 335d auto transmission problem.
    By garmin in forum General Car Chat
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 25-03-15, 21:58
  5. 2008 520d Auto No power Wont Rev
    By 535d in forum Tuning & Diagnostics
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 15-01-14, 22:39

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •