Are my motor mounts going - AC off reduces vibration

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by Meestahbig

Hi - I have no error codes. I have the generic OBDII reader. Ive been meaning to change my plugs, but they are not new, actually very old. what do you mean by the engine torque over was extreme. Are you saying, when you physically looked at the engine, you would see it move or jump in the engine bay? Yes - I think new motor mounts are due regardless, I just dont know how much more money I want to put into this car... Already spent about $2500 this year. I did have to get new belts because the pulley came off from the metal post going into the block... I was about 100 miles from home and luckily the shop was able to get me on the road within 4 hours. that cost me like $600. new tires, brakes & rotos, front half axles, tie rods and alignment. This car is like new, LOL.

Since your vibration is affected by having the A/C engaged and you threw the accessory belts, I would inspect all your pulleys for proper alignment. My original engine mounts lasted over 300,000 miles and after failing, engaging the A/C made the engine vibration worse. You should also check for vacuum leaks and DISA operation. As for spending the money for repairs, I just dumped $1100 into replacing catalytic converters that I'll recover in less than three months compared to a vehicle loan payment.


2002 X5 383,300 miles
2014 428i 71,800 miles


2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles


1970 Firebird Under restoration

[Purplefade]

Torque over - yes, you are correct, when I was standing in front of the car and my wife blipped the gas pedal the engine would “hop” up on the side that was the most worn, was really easy to find and diagnose once I literally saw it happen. Mine too started as a small vibration that got worse over time, nothing insanely terrible but going from smooth in the driver seat to that little annoying “rumble rumble rumble” drive me insane. I checked codes, none, vacuum leaks, none, etc, etc and finally tracked it back to the mounts. After the new mounts were in I was back to smooth as glass sailing in the driver seat.

At 165k miles it’s hit or miss, that’s why I say check everything first, unless you’re doing it yourself it doesn’t make sense to put the kind of money in it unless you’re absolutely sure

In my case I was nearly absolutely sure and because all I spent was the cost of the mounts and a bunch of my time. I was ok taking the gamble. The fact that you have no codes does indicate a potential “hard part”, so you’re probably on the right track but again, I’d be as sure as you can be before I’d spend that kind of cash on a “maybe the mounts”.

Pop the hood, stand in front of it and have someone give the pedal a reasonable blip, if the engine “jack rabbits” to one side, you’ll probably know what’s reasonable vs what’s not, you may have your smoking gun so to speak.

Also, maybe pull a plug and check the condition, if they’re “old” as you’d say they may contributing to the vibration and turning on the ac also bumps the rpm at idle. - just a thought.


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[Meestahbig]

A lot of the diy stuff on the X5 is fun... car has served me fantastically well. Never been into the shop, but I'm kind of not into doing the suspension stuff. Maybe this is just a mental block. After changing a few half axles inwas like ok, just let the shop do it for 125 bucks. I bring the parts. Maybe I'll get the motor mounts and OPG done at the same time and save an hour of labor cost

[Meestahbig]

Or I'll just let it keep leaking oil. I park on the street or over one gravel spot on my driveway that was cut for repair of my well pump... so I dont even notice it. If the vibration is not noticable without the AC on, I'll worry about it in the late spring. By then the 2019s will be close to coming off lease.

[Meestahbig]

How much on average is the OPG job... seems like my vibration is sooo much better without the ac on. Hardly noticable.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by Meestahbig

How much on average is the OPG job... seems like my vibration is sooo much better without the ac on. Hardly noticable.

The OPG takes about 10 hours start to finish so most indys do it for $1500 and the stealership wants more towards $2500. I did mine in just about a week for a $35 Genuine BMW gasket with a $15 tube of Dreibond sealant and was a lot easier than I expected heading in. Since you have to drop the subframe to gain access to the OPG, the mounts are right there with only 2 bolts holding them to the subframe once it's out.

You could always increase your idle speed 50 RPM with a Foxwell scanner and it should ease your vibrations but that is only a band-aid, you should fix it right by replacing the mounts.

[Meestahbig]

I dont want to give up on my girl, but like I said... if I can get a 2019 off lease, this car will most likely be sold shortly after. I think ill try and hold out... I dont think the motor mounts are broken, just worn.