gearbox noise - something or nothing?

[Smeeagain]

I went out in my mates X5 today - 6 months younger than mine (E53, 3.0 D) and a little less mileage but not too dissimilar (circa 90k)

I like to drive others folks X5's as it lets you see any differences with your own.

I have now got him wound up, in fact he's bleedin' paranoid, as I mentioned that I thought his gearbox was noisier than mine. I noticed as I took my foot off the brake and put my foot on the accelerator that I thought first gear was rough sounding (and a little bit in 2nd too) - on the motorway at speed its silky smooth. If you park up and engage D and let your foot off the brake and let it creep its fine too, but as soon as you add a little accelerator then you hear it - not quite crunchy or grinding but a little rumbly perhaps. if you move off quickly you don't notice it, and if you have the radio on or there is traffic noise you don't hear it. He always has th radio on so he probably hasn't heard it 'til now. At first he couldnt hear it and said I was imagining it now he thinks his gearbox is on the way out !
Is there a potential problem there waiting for him or nowt to worry about _ I'm off to buy him a pint to clam him down !!

Smee

[pvr]

Rumble from the gearbox - sure it is not the drive or bushes?

[Smeeagain]

ok, how would we check? When you say 'the drive or bushes' what drive/bushes do you mean . Expensive if its drive or bushes?

[pvr]

Rear suspension bushes - not that expensive.

Drive - unknown to be honest as it could be anything, and I am not too familiar with costings and causes in there. Others might be able to contribute in more detail.

[Smeeagain]

rear bushes - ok, I think Ive heard something about Powerflex and Superflex bushes? Does anyone have any recommendation on either and can we check bush wear ourselves somehow or do a test ?

[Smeeagain]

a further update on this. We can only play with the car at either end of the day as he is working but we went out early this morning. it definitely seems to make more noise cold and it goes away mostly when warmed up - he tells me this eve it seems fine (he has been driving all day).
We switched over to manual selection and that seemed to make the noise go away - any explanations for that ?

Smee

[Smeeagain]

still investigating on this - thinking now it could be bearing on either water pump or pulley. The noise is most noticeable on the front end pf the engine bayIs the water pump easy to get to ? (2004 3.0D Sport Auto) - we're thinking we need to remove the radiator?

Smee

[Smeeagain]

come on now chaps - one of you must know how we access the water pump /pulleys ...!

Smee

[IanP]

I think it would be easier to remove the radiator which is'nt a difficult job, but if you have AC then it will need degassing (and regassing when you are done)

[Smeeagain]

thanks. and yes there is AC so a re-gas is needed. oh joy of joys

[IanP]

Forgot to mention as its an auto, remember to check the oil level when you are done

[Smeeagain]

ok, thanks. why .......?

[IanP]

Because you might lose some oil when you disconnect the cooler pipes

[Smeeagain]

ah ok, that makes sense - thanks for the clarification

Smee

[AW8]

Smeeagain RE your water pump check query..........

If checking my 4.4i water pump I would consider ther following :

1) Listen for noise from area of same

2) Look for leaks or signs of low coolant

3) Subject to access and correct wrench check for excess pump shaft/bearing play by gripping bolt head to water pump/fan coupling and trying to move same.

4) Feel hoses when hot and squeeze same if top hose squueezes as if empty that may indicate problems

5) Before hot look to see collant is circulating through header tank by removing cap and monitoring flow.

6) Keep eye on temp gauge.

HTH