Engine vibrations: an flywheel be fitted improperly?

[selespeed]

this has been the biggest headache I faced sine doing the conversion last july. it is a 2e3 april 1994 into my e30 of 1990 m40b16

1. engine vibrates but most noticeable between 2000 to 3000. the flywheel comes from my old engine meant for m40, single mass.
2. 3 months ago, I experienced a failed klatch bearing that melted part of the bearing housing. then a new klatch LUK goes in with a new bearing.
3. after fitting the gearbox and klatch, I experienced the same vibrations. in free gear or when engaged in gear
4. then almost 2 months ago, I had the engine rebuilt.
5. the engine is fine but the vibrations persist.

is it possible that the flywheel is not fitted properly resulting in wobbling and engine vibrations? the vibrations are there but most pronounced from 2000 to 3000 rpm. even when I declutch it or clutch in gear running slow. even the passenger side feels it.

my flywheel has been ok with my old m40 engine though.

this is so frustrating. I really need help in this. thanks you guys.

teo

[Slowered318]

I really think you should consult someone who rebuilds BMW engines, don't want to send you running in circles. Forums like this are pretty good source for what shift lever to buy or what motor mounts to use on a motor swap but nothing beats 20-30 years experience building race engines.

3 thousand rpm would be the critical point to have everything balanced to avoid wear on bearings, sleeves and hardware.

[selespeed]

I really think you should consult someone who rebuilds BMW engines, don't want to send you running in circles. Forums like this are pretty good source for what shift lever to buy or what motor mounts to use on a motor swap but nothing beats 20-30 years experience building race engines.

3 thousand rpm would be the critical point to have everything balanced to avoid wear on bearings, sleeves and hardware.

thanks for your advice.

the vibrations disappear after 3000rpms. the engine is rebuilt by someone who has experience rebuilding VW engines. and I forgot to mention the motor mounts are NEW hanged in February this year original from BMW meant for e30m42 with proper brackets.

I am tempted to try replacing the flywheel or refitting my original flywheel is preferred. question is: is it possible flywheel be fitted improperly? since so many of you here have done engine rebuilds, I thought someone here an advise...

[jolle21]

When it vibrates, are you hearing any ticking or clanking noises from the engine? Maybe a broken or loose crank shaft pulley? (Harmonic balancer)

An imbalanced crankshaft, harmonic balancer and flywheel can cause vibrations.

[DesktopDave]

I've never done a clutch, but I'll take a few guesses. I'd think the flywheel was OK if it worked on your M40. There isn't any difference between them as far as I know.

You used a centering tool on the clutch plate, right? It's a temporary plastic plug that ensures the clutch plate is centered between the pressure plate and flywheel.

The flywheel was put on the motor with the correct centering sleeve, right? One of the flywheel bolt holes is machined slightly larger - it matches one of those holes to a wider hole in the flywheel. There is a hollow sleeve that keeps the flywheel locked to the crank in the proper position. It's part 3 on this diagram:
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AJ52&mospid=47273&btnr=11_4358&hg=11&fg=20
You might also want to check part 5, the centering or 'pilot' bearing for the gearbox mainshaft. It's installed in a recess on the rear of the crank.

Did you replace the clutch fork pivot pin, right? It's part 5 in this diagram:
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AJ52&mospid=47273&btnr=21_0011&hg=21&fg=05

I'd also be interested in the vibration damper, but I'd suspect it's a low probability failure. That could be cracked, etc. I'm with you though - if the car didn't vibrate, then had a clutch failure, I'd suspect the clutch assembly. I've never seen a melted throw-out bearing - was the transmission input shaft, main bearing or front main seal damaged?

[selespeed]

When it vibrates, are you hearing any ticking or clanking noises from the engine? Maybe a broken or loose crank shaft pulley? (Harmonic balancer)

An imbalanced crankshaft, harmonic balancer and flywheel can cause vibrations.

No. There's no clunking noise or other strange noises from the engine. In fact, the engine is ok and smooth after rebuild or when I'm cruising at higher rpm it's quiet. Some mechanics say it's the flywheel and I'm inclined it think so. Maybe bolts of unequal lengths are used. Just my guess!

Just three months ago, I had a melted release clutch bearing and so the entire clutch is replaced. It's still producing same vibrations. Such melted bearing problem has never happened to me at all. As a result the input shaft of the gearbox is somewhat sheared

[selespeed]

I've never done a clutch, but I'll take a few guesses. I'd think the flywheel was OK if it worked on your M40. There isn't any difference between them as far as I know.

You used a centering tool on the clutch plate, right? It's a temporary plastic plug that ensures the clutch plate is centered between the pressure plate and flywheel.

The flywheel was put on the motor with the correct centering sleeve, right? One of the flywheel bolt holes is machined slightly larger - it matches one of those holes to a wider hole in the flywheel. There is a hollow sleeve that keeps the flywheel locked to the crank in the proper position. It's part 3 on this diagram:
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AJ52&mospid=47273&btnr=11_4358&hg=11&fg=20
You might also want to check part 5, the centering or 'pilot' bearing for the gearbox mainshaft. It's installed in a recess on the rear of the crank.

Did you replace the clutch fork pivot pin, right? It's part 5 in this diagram:
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AJ52&mospid=47273&btnr=21_0011&hg=21&fg=05

I'd also be interested in the vibration damper, but I'd suspect it's a low probability failure. That could be cracked, etc. I'm with you though - if the car didn't vibrate, then had a clutch failure, I'd suspect the clutch assembly. I've never seen a melted throw-out bearing - was the transmission input shaft, main bearing or front main seal damaged?

See pictures of melted bearing...

[selespeed]

I've never done a clutch, but I'll take a few guesses. I'd think the flywheel was OK if it worked on your M40. There isn't any difference between them as far as I know.

You used a centering tool on the clutch plate, right? It's a temporary plastic plug that ensures the clutch plate is centered between the pressure plate and flywheel.

The flywheel was put on the motor with the correct centering sleeve, right? One of the flywheel bolt holes is machined slightly larger - it matches one of those holes to a wider hole in the flywheel. There is a hollow sleeve that keeps the flywheel locked to the crank in the proper position. It's part 3 on this diagram:
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AJ52&mospid=47273&btnr=11_4358&hg=11&fg=20
You might also want to check part 5, the centering or 'pilot' bearing for the gearbox mainshaft. It's installed in a recess on the rear of the crank.

Did you replace the clutch fork pivot pin, right? It's part 5 in this diagram:
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AJ52&mospid=47273&btnr=21_0011&hg=21&fg=05

I'd also be interested in the vibration damper, but I'd suspect it's a low probability failure. That could be cracked, etc. I'm with you though - if the car didn't vibrate, then had a clutch failure, I'd suspect the clutch assembly. I've never seen a melted throw-out bearing - was the transmission input shaft, main bearing or front main seal damaged?

The grove ball bearing is replaced in 2010 august when my new getrag240 is installed. A new clutch goes in then too. 

[colin86325]

Did you make sure to use the shorter bolts from the single mass flywheel when mounting that flywheel?  The dual mass bolts are too long for use with the single mass flywheel.

[selespeed]

Did you make sure to use the shorter bolts from the single mass flywheel when mounting that flywheel?  The dual mass bolts are too long for use with the single mass flywheel.

not sure! I will have to ask the mechanic to take out. I believe the bolts from the m40 are used.