Transmission Rattle? Help Pls

[MisterClutch888]

I have exactly this noise right now. changed rod bearings, spark plugs like 1000km ago. I didn't really push my car before the 1000km, so i didn't know if this noise exists already. My car is totally stock.

[130iguy]

did you ever resolve this rattle?! i think i have the same and it’s doing my head in!!

[SoCalRPM]

Originally Posted by 130iguy

did you ever resolve this rattle?! i think i have the same and it's doing my head in!!

Sent you a message

[zenohua]

Originally Posted by SoCalRPM

Sent you a message

Keen to know the solution as well, two of my friend's car also have this kind of pinging sound.

[SoCalRPM]

Originally Posted by zenohua

Keen to know the solution as well, two of my friend's car also have this kind of pinging sound.

Because a few people have asked - heres the messages I've most recently exchanged. I'm posting this as I feel the experience will be helpful and informative for others.

Originally Posted by 130iguy

i was read this thread you started

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1659505

I was curious to know if you ever resolved it, a similar sound has just started in my car and itÂ's driving me nuts!

i would really appreciate your assistance

Hey there -

Yes and no. You're better off referring to this thread instead of the one I created:

Low RPM Hard Acceleration - Pre-detonation https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1532390

The issue seems to be an ionic knock and not a transmission rattle. From best we've been able to collectively gather is it's an issue with the fuel and the associated ECU tune. Many of the people who had an issue were running an Alex Alpine tune - I was Stage 1. I'm not saying Alex's tune is the fault, but when the tune is removed, the sound goes away.

I did have the issue once a few months back when CA gas switched over to winter blend (shit 91 gas) right after I filled the tank. I heard the knock at low RPM while lugging the car from a higher gear at slow speed. Only happened once and hasn't since.

Read that thread and hopefully that will be of some help!

- R

[DOCTOR.Y]

Originally Posted by SoCalRPM

Over the last few weeks I've started noticing a somewhat subtle rattling (?) sound, which I believe may be coming from the transmission.

2011.5 e92 DCT ZCP

I tried searching but couldn't find much of anything that pertains specifically to what I'm hearing. I can only describe the sound as how a junky old car's transmission rattling might sound when they apply acceleration.

The sound is mostly only noticeable under relatively heavier loads (not flooring) around the 3-4k RPM in 3rd & 4th gears.

I'll try to get some video soon!

Anyone have any similar experiences? Fixes? I'm hoping it's something simple.

**Updated with Video**
Still hard to tell with the wind noise...

I have exactly this noise for 3 years and a half now. exactly same.

[SoCalRPM]

Are you running a tune of any kind? I believe this noise was mostly determined to be ionic knocking and not transmission related. I was running a stage 1 tune when I had these noises. Removing the tune all but solved the issue entirely. Others have reported similar findings. There are a few other threads on it.

[DOCTOR.Y]

Originally Posted by SoCalRPM

Are you running a tune of any kind? I believe this noise was mostly determined to be ionic knocking and not transmission related. I was running a stage 1 tune when I had these noises. Removing the tune all but solved the issue entirely. Others have reported similar findings. There are a few other threads on it.

My car is completely stock, no tune at all. This noise is from front engine area near vanos area. So definitely from engine not gearbox. I pointed this out when I put the car on the dyno and run with gear, can easily duplicate this noise

[DOCTOR.Y]

Originally Posted by SoCalRPM

Are you running a tune of any kind? I believe this noise was mostly determined to be ionic knocking and not transmission related. I was running a stage 1 tune when I had these noises. Removing the tune all but solved the issue entirely. Others have reported similar findings. There are a few other threads on it.

Also this noise requires engine to reach certain temperature. When engine is not warmed up I can't hear it. When oil temperature reaches 90+ it starts

[BayAreaE93]

Can't believe it took me this long to find another user with the exact same sound/symptoms, as I thought I had found all the pinging threads when I had this issue last year.

I'm confident the cause was the Alpine Stage 1 tune (91 Octane). This was around a year ago. And then a few months later, around August if I remember correctly, Alex said he had a big update for the Stage 1 tune available that would make the car run a lot better. And low and behold, after updating, I never heard the sound again.

[SoCalRPM]

Originally Posted by BayAreaE93

Can't believe it took me this long to find another user with the exact same sound/symptoms, as I thought I had found all the pinging threads when I had this issue last year.

I'm confident the cause was the Alpine Stage 1 tune (91 Octane). This was around a year ago. And then a few months later, around August if I remember correctly, Alex said he had a big update for the Stage 1 tune available that would make the car run a lot better. And low and behold, after updating, I never heard the sound again.

I took my tune off and haven't heard the sound since either. Missed the news about the update, will have to check that out.

[13Blackm3]

I have the same pinging sound but my m3 is stock. It occurs on hard acceleration after 3000 -4000 rpm. Sounds like a brief tiny stone being sucked into the engine. I alternate between ethanol free 93 octane but it doesn’t seem related to the gasoline. I also have a 6MT and while stopped at the intersection with the clutch disengaged, I hear a rumble from the transmission. These sounds are probably all normal as they don’t throw any check engine lights and do not cause any performance issues.