Great video, thank you! What was the reason for checking on these items? Any unusual sounds? I have a 2015 and I THINK I am noticing that the whirring sound the car makes is getting louder as time goes on. Could this be a bearing or mount issue? I’ve only had the car about 8 months. Any suggestions would be awesome!! ❤
I’ll check but do you by chance have any videos or can you make a video of the sound the car should be making while inside in the back seat? Maybe I’m just overthinking it. I’m not sure what a “normal” driving sound is in the older i3’s
I have noticed (owning now 3 BMW i3's) that sometimes when the car goes over some rough terrain and then given throttle, there will be a jerking and vibration (and I think coming from the movement of the motor mounts) that is most disconcerting....I think thats how this car breaks motor mounts..I dont see it happening any other way...I have checked all three of my cars and none showed any damage whatever.
Everything that you have mentioned is something I have pondered after having had my motor mounts and brackets replaced on my 2014 BEV. Prior to the repair -anytime I went over a bump I would hear a noise that sounded like it was the AC compressor with the sound of whirling noise. BMW checked my AC and it was okay, but my motor mounts and brackets needed replacing. Since the repair the i3 rides better, but I am cautious driving it over rough surfaces and potholes - sometime they can’t be missed.
I'm not an expert, but I think the makeup of the silicone gasket tube is different enough that putting it on the outside of the motor mount won't do anything other than show flakes of silicone whenever you look at the mount. It definitely will not fill the gaps and hold, and will do nothing to increase the integrity of the mount. The only possible benefit I can see is that it could conceivably cover the mount and prevent a certain amount of exposure to the elements, but this would be temporary and wear off as soon as the silicone stretches at a different rate from the rubber and flakes off.
Also: I don't think there's any fluid in this mount. That appears to be a solid block of rubber. I'm open to being corrected on this if someone has cut one open and found fluid of some kind.
Thanks for the feedback, I think you have some valid concerns with the silicone use. I pulled this from a blog site regarding the mounts: 'the motor mount is a fluid-filled rubber shock absorber like those used with ICE's. The rubber can tear causing fluid to leak. However, this isn't the problem that some early i3 drivers are having.' I've seen pictures of torn mounts that appears to show that they are hollow inside(?) & look like some fluid escaped.
@@bmwi3diy782 You usually have an oil filling when we are talking about a combined shock and vibration absorbing element. Inside the rubber you have a friction brake. The rubber takes the shocks, and the friction takes the vibration. To cool the friction and prevent it from excessive wear it has the silicone oil filling. Due to the friction elements inside those mounts have a bigger size than the usual engine shock mounts.
Hi! I've just subscribed on Your channel and been enjoying Your videos this weekend being an i3 owner as well. Bought mine last year (used 2016 model). Given the rising gas prices now specially here in Vegas, the whole family is so blessed owning an EV. However, my 3 daughters now decided to take turns on driving the i3 going to work/school to save gas, but having a hard time backing up the car due to the absence of a backup camera. Can You suggest any economical, easy-install backup camera suited for i3? Thanks - Rene
Thanks for watching! Unfortunately, I do not have any information on this. My car also does not have the backup camera, but I found that having the passenger mirror set to tilt down in reverse plus the built in ultrasonic sensor map on the screen when backing up works great for me when backing into the garage- kept me from hitting objects (and one time it even triggered for a cat sitting behind the car!) Maybe another viewer with experience on adding camera can comment?
Here is a link to a parts website, about $120 each side, of course that is not including installation. If you are not doing it yourself, I suggest getting a few quotes from your local independent mechanic or your local dealer. www.bmwpartsdeal.com/oem-bmw-i3-engine_mount.html Here is an estimate for the cost to install, between $250-$350 per side per this information: www.repairsmith.com/i/estimates/engine-mechanical/right-engine-mount-replacement/BMW/i3/ I'm still planning to use RTV on mine if cracking develops further. I have not changed them out (yet). Good Luck!
The way over torqued lug nuts is a universal problem with mechanics everywhere. I find this issue frequently whenever I am unfortunate enough to have to send the vehicle to a shop.
My understanding was that the plastic motor mounts were to be replaced, all under warranty with aluminium mounts. Was there not a recall for there replacement some years ago. The dealership should have replaced the plastic ones in this car.
Interesting... My understanding was that the recall was only for changing the motor mount bolts which had failed on some vehicles & software change to reduce stress on the mount, not replacing the plastic bracket (the one shown inside the motor compartment). If someone knows more, please comment. Thanks!
@@bmwi3diy782 BMW will only replace it at no cost if the mounts were broken under new car warranty period. The plastic mounts were superseded (replaced with aluminum mount) for 2016 production onwards.
Shame you didn't notice the lateral cracks in the rubber about in inch above the "valley" you cleaned with the tooth brush. 4 minutes 44 seconds into your video. Nothing too serious but clearly visible.
Yep, I see it too. I will be checking it again in a few months, maybe trying the RTV in the crack this time (as originally planned, assuming it isn't catastrophically worse now) before having to replace the mounts. I'll do an update if anything interesting develops. Thanks for the feedback!
Great video, thank you! What was the reason for checking on these items? Any unusual sounds? I have a 2015 and I THINK I am noticing that the whirring sound the car makes is getting louder as time goes on. Could this be a bearing or mount issue? I’ve only had the car about 8 months. Any suggestions would be awesome!! ❤
I’ll check but do you by chance have any videos or can you make a video of the sound the car should be making while inside in the back seat? Maybe I’m just overthinking it. I’m not sure what a “normal” driving sound is in the older i3’s
Great video!!! Very clear and concise. Subscribed 👍🏻
Welcome aboard! And thank you for the comment.
Saludos desde Puerto Rico. Gracias por la información.
Thank you!
I have noticed (owning now 3 BMW i3's) that sometimes when the car goes over some rough terrain and then given throttle, there will be a jerking and vibration (and I think coming from the movement of the motor mounts) that is most disconcerting....I think thats how this car breaks motor mounts..I dont see it happening any other way...I have checked all three of my cars and none showed any damage whatever.
Everything that you have mentioned is something I have pondered after having had my motor mounts and brackets replaced on my 2014 BEV. Prior to the repair -anytime I went over a bump I would hear a noise that sounded like it was the AC compressor with the sound of whirling noise. BMW checked my AC and it was okay, but my motor mounts and brackets needed replacing. Since the repair the i3 rides better, but I am cautious driving it over rough surfaces and potholes - sometime they can’t be missed.
I'm not an expert, but I think the makeup of the silicone gasket tube is different enough that putting it on the outside of the motor mount won't do anything other than show flakes of silicone whenever you look at the mount. It definitely will not fill the gaps and hold, and will do nothing to increase the integrity of the mount. The only possible benefit I can see is that it could conceivably cover the mount and prevent a certain amount of exposure to the elements, but this would be temporary and wear off as soon as the silicone stretches at a different rate from the rubber and flakes off.
Also: I don't think there's any fluid in this mount. That appears to be a solid block of rubber. I'm open to being corrected on this if someone has cut one open and found fluid of some kind.
Thanks for the feedback, I think you have some valid concerns with the silicone use. I pulled this from a blog site regarding the mounts: 'the motor mount is a fluid-filled rubber shock absorber like those used with ICE's. The rubber can tear causing fluid to leak. However, this isn't the problem that some early i3 drivers are having.' I've seen pictures of torn mounts that appears to show that they are hollow inside(?) & look like some fluid escaped.
@@bmwi3diy782 You usually have an oil filling when we are talking about a combined shock and vibration absorbing element. Inside the rubber you have a friction brake. The rubber takes the shocks, and the friction takes the vibration. To cool the friction and prevent it from excessive wear it has the silicone oil filling. Due to the friction elements inside those mounts have a bigger size than the usual engine shock mounts.
Hi! I've just subscribed on Your channel and been enjoying Your videos this weekend being an i3 owner as well. Bought mine last year (used 2016 model). Given the rising gas prices now specially here in Vegas, the whole family is so blessed owning an EV. However, my 3 daughters now decided to take turns on driving the i3 going to work/school to save gas, but having a hard time backing up the car due to the absence of a backup camera. Can You suggest any economical, easy-install backup camera suited for i3? Thanks - Rene
Thanks for watching! Unfortunately, I do not have any information on this. My car also does not have the backup camera, but I found that having the passenger mirror set to tilt down in reverse plus the built in ultrasonic sensor map on the screen when backing up works great for me when backing into the garage- kept me from hitting objects (and one time it even triggered for a cat sitting behind the car!) Maybe another viewer with experience on adding camera can comment?
Do you know how much the replacement can cost? My i3 94 from 2017 needs those replaced and I have no idea what that might cost.
Here is a link to a parts website, about $120 each side, of course that is not including installation. If you are not doing it yourself, I suggest getting a few quotes from your local independent mechanic or your local dealer. www.bmwpartsdeal.com/oem-bmw-i3-engine_mount.html
Here is an estimate for the cost to install, between $250-$350 per side per this information: www.repairsmith.com/i/estimates/engine-mechanical/right-engine-mount-replacement/BMW/i3/
I'm still planning to use RTV on mine if cracking develops further. I have not changed them out (yet).
Good Luck!
@@bmwi3diy782 thanks. I think I cant do it myself, so I will try to get a quote from my local mechanic.
@@bmwi3diy782 I have a 14 i3 fully electric.. I need a new left mount. Is the engine mount bracket for the left side only?
I had the motor mounts and brackets replaced on my i3 bev, it came to $2,500 at BMW.
Thanks very much
how many km on the car?
Currently about 40K mi on the car, 2015 model year.
The way over torqued lug nuts is a universal problem with mechanics everywhere. I find this issue frequently whenever I am unfortunate enough to have to send the vehicle to a shop.
My understanding was that the plastic motor mounts were to be replaced, all under warranty with aluminium mounts. Was there not a recall for there replacement some years ago. The dealership should have replaced the plastic ones in this car.
Interesting... My understanding was that the recall was only for changing the motor mount bolts which had failed on some vehicles & software change to reduce stress on the mount, not replacing the plastic bracket (the one shown inside the motor compartment). If someone knows more, please comment. Thanks!
@@bmwi3diy782 BMW will only replace it at no cost if the mounts were broken under new car warranty period. The plastic mounts were superseded (replaced with aluminum mount) for 2016 production onwards.
The recall were for the bolts, not for the plastic brackets or mounts.
Shame you didn't notice the lateral cracks in the rubber about in inch above the "valley" you cleaned with the tooth brush. 4 minutes 44 seconds into your video. Nothing too serious but clearly visible.
Yep, I see it too. I will be checking it again in a few months, maybe trying the RTV in the crack this time (as originally planned, assuming it isn't catastrophically worse now) before having to replace the mounts. I'll do an update if anything interesting develops. Thanks for the feedback!