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SMG priming noise! HELP!

4K views 13 replies 6 participants last post by  thotlordsM5E60 
#1 ·
my SMG now makes a sputtering noise when priming. Car shifts fine, but this is scaring me. Anyone ever experience this?
 
#2 ·
Yes, this is usually due to low fluid in the reservoir. You will want to have the fluid level checked ASAP or you might find yourself experiencing a random kick-out of gear and the warning lights/messages that make it seem like the shuttle is about the explode.

The chattering is the pump sucking air. You should also have this looked at because the system is closed-loop, so if it's low it's because something leaked or is leaking.
 
#3 ·
Depending on how mechanical you are, checking this out is fairly straightforward.

Get the car up on ramps/jackstands, remove the center splash panel - you can leave the forward one on.

on the driver's side of the transmission there is a heat shield held on with 1 8mm bolt and a 10 mm nut. removing this makes it much easier to see the SMG pump/hydraulic unit. The reservoir is black, and there is a plastic fill port on the rearward side of it. You can remove the fill plug with a 6mm hex head (allen key or socket head). If the car is level, you want to fill the reservoir until fluid dribbles from the fill port.

When re-tightening the fill port plug, be gentle! there is a built in rubber gasket/o-ring that makes the fluid seal, this is plastic after all, just snug is plenty fine.
 
#5 ·
^^^ I think your okay, why because my car doe sit very 30-45 secs, its normal as the pump primes itself. Sputtering noise may be not but priming every 30-45 secs, that sounds normal to me. Unless you have a video. My car has 161xxx miles so your fine ;). And if you feel worried get it checked out by am M specialist.
 
#12 ·
Actually not sure but I presumed its been switched already for having that many miles. I'm the third owner and the first bought and drove it until 120000 miles, second not so much but did have to replace flywheel and clutch. Me just a happy camper but as soon as I have my car running I'm flushing and replacing hoses and valves. Also definetly switching SMG pump fluid.
 
#10 ·
If your pump is priming every 30-45 seconds without operating the clutch or valves, you have a leaking pressure boundary. This is usually either the discharge check valve back-leakage, the clutch valve cartridge external seal rings, or one of the actuator block valves leaking by the external sealing rings.
 
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