Funny Idling sound

[WRXXX]

Hi...y/day I noticed that my car makes a gargle-like sound at idle. Similar to the mouth wash gargle sound u make before spitting out. When I press in the clutch however, the noise goes away. Is this normal? Its the first time I heard this after owning it for 6months. Car is an '08 however. Yes, car was properly warmed up and driven but the sound is still there.

[M3PO]

Sounds like the throw out bearing. That's totally normal for any car with a manual transmission.

[abehwang]

clutch probably chattering

[Z K]

I think the M3 6MT has a twin disc clutch which makes pedal effort easier but also makes for chatter when you don't push the clutch in. Very normal noise for a twin disc clutch.

[1sikbmr]

you have old people teeth in the car somewhere

[WRXXX]

Thanks for the replies. But its weird that I never noticed it before. Only realize this a day after I put the winter tires on along with some spacers. Could it be the flywheel as well?

[Gumulri]

Originally Posted by WRXXX

Thanks for the replies. But its weird that I never noticed it before. Only realize this a day after I put the winter tires on along with some spacers. Could it be the flywheel as well?

may be you forgot to turn on the music like before.

[The Database]

Originally Posted by M3PO

Sounds like the throw out bearing. That's totally normal for any car with a manual transmission.

I doubt it's this. The throw out bearing usually makes a high pitched squealing noise. Not too sure on the overall problem though OP.

[markjord]

Mine does that. Always has.

[serranot]

Normal. Drive a Ducati with a dry clutch. Same noise.

[JB_Vert]

Originally Posted by The Database

I doubt it's this. The throw out bearing usually makes a high pitched squealing noise...

The throw out bearing in the E9X M3 sounds like a knocking in the tranny or helicopter hovering in the distance, and I could also see it described as a gurgle, as suggested by the OP. Never heard it described as a squeal, and mine certainly is not a squeal, nor is it high pitched--fairly low-pitched, in fact. If I have it conjured correctly in my mind, it cycles (knocks) about 2X per second at idle, maybe 3X.

There was a lot of discussion of this a couple of years ago, so you may find some discussion by searching for "throw out bearing."

If it's the throw out bearing, then it will go away when the clutch is disengaged (pedal depressed). It will also be more noticeable when the car is warm--mine is not discernable when cold, and others here have reported the same experience.

The reported/hypothesized reasoning for why it is so noticeable in this car usually has to do with tight tolerances and lack of sound/vibration insulation. In order to handle the loads of shifting from 1st to 2nd at 8,400 rpm, for example, the tranny has to be solidly locked into place in the drivetrain in ways that prohibit certain types of NVH isolation. I don't have much other experience myself, but this is reportedly a "sports car" trait. It's one of those mechanical noises that car buffs seem to crave as part of the whole "sports car" experience. I'm just paraphrasing what I've read about it. I don't mind the noise myself.

JB

[mmm def]

yup mine does it too. I just bought an exhaust so hopefully i won't hear it anymore

[audioMeth]

Originally Posted by serranot

Normal. Drive a Ducati with a dry clutch. Same noise.

haha, no where as noisy! but same idea.

[The Database]

Originally Posted by JB_Vert

The throw out bearing in the E9X M3 sounds like a knocking in the tranny or helicopter hovering in the distance, and I could also see it described as a gurgle, as suggested by the OP. Never heard it described as a squeal, and mine certainly is not a squeal, nor is it high pitched--fairly low-pitched, in fact. If I have it conjured correctly in my mind, it cycles (knocks) about 2X per second at idle, maybe 3X.

There was a lot of discussion of this a couple of years ago, so you may find some discussion by searching for "throw out bearing."

If it's the throw out bearing, then it will go away when the clutch is disengaged (pedal depressed). It will also be more noticeable when the car is warm--mine is not discernable when cold, and others here have reported the same experience.

The reported/hypothesized reasoning for why it is so noticeable in this car usually has to do with tight tolerances and lack of sound/vibration insulation. In order to handle the loads of shifting from 1st to 2nd at 8,400 rpm, for example, the tranny has to be solidly locked into place in the drivetrain in ways that prohibit certain types of NVH isolation. I don't have much other experience myself, but this is reportedly a "sports car" trait. It's one of those mechanical noises that car buffs seem to crave as part of the whole "sports car" experience. I'm just paraphrasing what I've read about it. I don't mind the noise myself.

JB

Not sure about bimmers, but I'm talking more so when the throw out bearing goes bad. I've had it crack or go bad some other way in three different cars and it's always been a high pitched squeal. The noise will always go away when you put the clutch in though OP.