[SteveW928]

My '07 328xi (with ~320k km) has started to make a rhythmic ticking sound at times.

Initially, I especially noticed it when pushing the clutch in and coasting at slower speeds. Now it does it some times when I'm just slowly driving across a parking lot, etc. with the clutch out.

It is kind of a tick/click type sound, maybe a bit metallic sounding. My son (when in the passenger seat) said it sounded like it was coming more from the driver side.

I had a mechanic take a look at it when I was in for an oil change. He said when they had it up, it was coming from the transfer case. He's not a BMW specialist, but since we have so many around here, he probably works on them from time to time.

Anyway, his advice was to just keep driving it, because the transfer case is so expensive to fix that it would likely not be worth it at that point (certainly NOT the advice I wanted to hear!).

In doing some reading, I can't find symptoms quite like that. I have no warning lights on, but over the last month or two, it is happening more and more often.

First, it seems like worst case, I could just swap with one from a junk yard? I suppose it is possible it could have a similar issue (or worse) or maybe not last all that long, but maybe worth a shot? On a car-part site I saw mentioned in another thread, it seems like they can be had for $300-700ish CAD. What range of years and models can I get one from?

Second, if it is just the worm-gear I've read so much about, the kits for that seem to be just like $150-200? Should a mechanic that specializes in BMW be able to rebuild it? Or, would I need to find some kind of transmission or AWD shop to do that kind of thing?

Third, I've been reading about xDelete. Would that, at least temporarily, solve my problem (or keep it from getting worse) until I can take some other action? I'm in Victoria, BC and we only have like 2 or 3 weeks of winter, if that (used to live in Prince George, where I used the AWD much more). I could probably just deal with leaving it in RWD, or switch it for a couple months, etc.

Any advice on diagnosis or recommended actions?

I certainly don't want to give up on it... but I'm also getting some 'family pressure' to get rid of it and get a different car, as the last couple years have had some fairly pricy other repairs.

[Suvorovo]

Check realOEM for transfer case part number for your particular vin. Lower mileage used is worth a shot. Shop by part number.

If it's the worm gear issue, that can be replaced, but a new transfercase motor will require programming. An indy BMW shop can do this.

BTW at 320k km, how often did you change your transfer case fluid with genuine BMW fluid?

No idea if xdelete will work with a broken transfercase.

[SteveW928]

Thanks, I'll take a look at realOEM. I suppose I should get it to a BMW specialist to get a better diagnosis. If it were just the worm-gear, that might be the way to go.

I think it is still working. The xDelete was just an idea for extending its life, or getting by in RWD until I can address it.

I'm pretty sure I had it changed soon after I bought it at around 270k, but I'd have to go through my service invoices to be sure. I remember having it done at some point. I *hope* they used the genuine fluid.

[bshambam]

are you jumping to larger conclusions than required? when was the last time you changed your transfer case fluid. It could just be your hydraulic lifters.

[Suvorovo]

Originally Posted by SteveW928

Thanks, I'll take a look at realOEM. I suppose I should get it to a BMW specialist to get a better diagnosis. If it were just the worm-gear, that might be the way to go.

I think it is still working. The xDelete was just an idea for extending its life, or getting by in RWD until I can address it.

I'm pretty sure I had it changed soon after I bought it at around 270k, but I'd have to go through my service invoices to be sure. I remember having it done at some point. I *hope* they used the genuine fluid.

Only $60/Liter genuine BMW fluid should go into the transfer case. Too many people had issues using even quality aftermarket TC fluid. TC fluid change requires oil wear reset.

[SteveW928]

Originally Posted by bshambam

are you jumping to larger conclusions than required? when was the last time you changed your transfer case fluid. It could just be your hydraulic lifters.

I suppose more trying to guess what I'm up against before going further.

I'm also a bit curious as I haven't run across this particular description of the issue.

re: lifters - Heh, unless there are hydraulic lifters in the transfer case, I'm pretty sure the mechanic knows the difference between the engine and transfer case. From the drivers seat, it sounds like it is coming from under the car, not under the hood.

I'm going to try to get it into a BMW shop soon and find out what my range of options are. I'm glad that range seems to be more than getting a whole new one.

[SteveW928]

Originally Posted by Suvorovo

Only $60/Liter genuine BMW fluid should go into the transfer case. Too many people had issues using even quality aftermarket TC fluid. TC fluid change requires oil wear reset.

OK, thanks, I think I would have remembered that (ie. a fluid change that expensive). Looking through my records, I don't see it either and maybe I'm remembering differential or transmission fluid changes or something.

I could swear I remember something about the transfer case as well, but it doesn't seem to be in my records, so would have been before I owned it (ie. pre ~270k km). I'll try to find the paperwork from the previous owner and go through it... maybe I read it there. It isn't with the rest of my paperwork, so I'll have to go searching.