Pulley/tensioner problem?

bulldogtor · 03-17-2009, 12:16 PM

I've searched these forums but I can't find a solution to this problem.

It seems like other people with a sound coming from the alternator belt area have it during start up.

For my car, I have no problem when I start it in the mornings. I have problem in the afternoons after work. I can also force the sound to come if it is in neutral and I rev it above 3,500 rpm's.

The sound seems to be coming to the direct left of the alternator. I have not used a stethoscope or screwdriver, but judging by ear, it seems like it is coming from the area.

Not sure if it's the idler pulley or tensioner. Any ideas? Anyone else have this problem?

It's not the belts. I changed them out myself 2 days ago in hopes of getting rid of the sound.

Here's what it sounds like:

Bimmer Dude Xi · 03-17-2009, 01:51 PM

I'd change both of them

SM330xi · 04-09-2009, 11:04 PM

Bro I dont know if this helps but when upgraded my pulleys I started to hear that same annoying squeaky noise. All my mechanic did was open up the tensioner, re-grease it, spin it a couple of times and put it back in. I haven't heard the noise since...... Try it out

TxZHP04 · 04-10-2009, 08:10 AM

Also check the water pump, alternator, and PS pulleys the next time you take the belts off. If they have lateral play or rumble/grind when you spin them by hand you may have a component about to fail. I'm not quite sure why but my first thought on hearing the video was failing water pump. If everything else seems fine just replace the tensioner and idler pulleys and you should be good to go.

bulldogtor · 04-10-2009, 09:07 AM

Thanks guys. For some odd reason, the sound has gone away. I still have the tensioner pulley and idler pulley in case the sound comes back.

I might try and re-grease the tensioner first, and then change out the pulleys if the sound doesn't go away.

I thought it might be the water pump as well, but the location of the sound suggests the idler pulley or perhaps even the tensioner pulley. I bought both just in case.

TxZHP04 · 04-10-2009, 09:47 AM

Those pulleys should be considered routine maintenance so it's good to replace both anyway.

violent_bimmer · 05-11-2009, 03:44 PM

i know you said the pulley has stopped making the noise but mine also stopped and then couple days later i popped a belt. can someone tell me what the pulley is right underneath the idler pulley. is it the belt tensioner? the tensioner i ordered is smooth but the pulley previously had ribs. In my opinion causing the belt to slip and pop. can someone please help me out wanting to get my baby back on the road

03-17-2009, 12:16 PM	#1
bulldogtor Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 14 My Ride: '02 325i, 5spd sedan View My Garage	Pulley/tensioner problem? I've searched these forums but I can't find a solution to this problem. It seems like other people with a sound coming from the alternator belt area have it during start up. For my car, I have no problem when I start it in the mornings. I have problem in the afternoons after work. I can also force the sound to come if it is in neutral and I rev it above 3,500 rpm's. The sound seems to be coming to the direct left of the alternator. I have not used a stethoscope or screwdriver, but judging by ear, it seems like it is coming from the area. Not sure if it's the idler pulley or tensioner. Any ideas? Anyone else have this problem? It's not the belts. I changed them out myself 2 days ago in hopes of getting rid of the sound. Here's what it sounds like:

03-17-2009, 01:51 PM	#2
Bimmer Dude Xi Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 2,353 My Ride: 03 325XI 07 ZX-6R View My Garage	I'd change both of them __________________ \|Dinan High Flow Air Box\|Eibach Pro Kit\|Koni Sport\|UUC Strut Barbarian\|UUC TSE3\|UUC Underdrive Pulleys\|18" VMR V710\| \|BMC Race Air Filter\|CRG Spectrum Levers\| Galfer Steel Braided Brake Lines\|Volar Motorsport Spiked Frame & Bar-end Sliders\|

04-10-2009, 08:10 AM	#4
TxZHP04 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 5,731 My Ride: ESS TS2+ ZHP View My Garage	Also check the water pump, alternator, and PS pulleys the next time you take the belts off. If they have lateral play or rumble/grind when you spin them by hand you may have a component about to fail. I'm not quite sure why but my first thought on hearing the video was failing water pump. If everything else seems fine just replace the tensioner and idler pulleys and you should be good to go. __________________ 04 IR 330i ZHP \| ESS TS2+ SC \| MagnaFlow "headers" \| KMS 3.64 LSD \| AST 4100 550/650\| APEX ARC-8 18x9 \| H&R front sway bar \| Vorshlag camber plates, RTAB limiters \| TMS subframe & swaybar reinforcements \| UUC SSK & DSSR \| UUC TM & TME \| BW motor mounts \| Dinan strut & shock tower bars \| vaio 4-bolt oil pump

04-10-2009, 09:47 AM	#6
TxZHP04 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 5,731 My Ride: ESS TS2+ ZHP View My Garage	Those pulleys should be considered routine maintenance so it's good to replace both anyway. __________________ 04 IR 330i ZHP \| ESS TS2+ SC \| MagnaFlow "headers" \| KMS 3.64 LSD \| AST 4100 550/650\| APEX ARC-8 18x9 \| H&R front sway bar \| Vorshlag camber plates, RTAB limiters \| TMS subframe & swaybar reinforcements \| UUC SSK & DSSR \| UUC TM & TME \| BW motor mounts \| Dinan strut & shock tower bars \| vaio 4-bolt oil pump

05-11-2009, 03:44 PM	#7
violent_bimmer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 90 My Ride: 2001 325i View My Garage	i know you said the pulley has stopped making the noise but mine also stopped and then couple days later i popped a belt. can someone tell me what the pulley is right underneath the idler pulley. is it the belt tensioner? the tensioner i ordered is smooth but the pulley previously had ribs. In my opinion causing the belt to slip and pop. can someone please help me out wanting to get my baby back on the road __________________ soon to be at 500 hp

04-09-2009, 11:04 PM	#3
SM330xi Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL Posts: 24 My Ride: 2001 330xi View My Garage	Bro I dont know if this helps but when upgraded my pulleys I started to hear that same annoying squeaky noise. All my mechanic did was open up the tensioner, re-grease it, spin it a couple of times and put it back in. I haven't heard the noise since...... Try it out

04-10-2009, 09:07 AM	#5
bulldogtor Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 14 My Ride: '02 325i, 5spd sedan View My Garage	Thanks guys. For some odd reason, the sound has gone away. I still have the tensioner pulley and idler pulley in case the sound comes back. I might try and re-grease the tensioner first, and then change out the pulleys if the sound doesn't go away. I thought it might be the water pump as well, but the location of the sound suggests the idler pulley or perhaps even the tensioner pulley. I bought both just in case.

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