Help to identify this noise

LetsEats · 11-25-2012, 01:35 PM

Hi, can someone help identify this noise?

It happens on occasion so I'm wondering if I could still drive it for a few days until I buy what needs to be replaced. Thanks.

99_323i_Steve · 11-25-2012, 01:40 PM

pulley or tensioner in that area...i had the same noise on cold starts and replaced those parts, gone. I replaced both my tensioners and pulleys and belts while i was in there. engine bay is silent now.

LetsEats · 11-25-2012, 01:54 PM

Thanks. Would you say it's still driveable for like 3 days? or is that taking a risk?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99_323i_Steve

pulley or tensioner in that area...i had the same noise on cold starts and replaced those parts, gone. I replaced both my tensioners and pulleys and belts while i was in there. engine bay is silent now.

99_323i_Steve · 11-25-2012, 02:06 PM

ya these are just wear items. Your pulleys have grease bearings. Once they wear out they squeal and squeak. The tensioner causes looseness in the belt which can also cause the high pitch noises. I drove mine for a week after the noise came before my parts arrived, no harm done.

scim459 · 11-25-2012, 02:45 PM

If the pulleys seize the belt will snap and you loose cooling, power steering and can destroy your fan and rupture your expansion tank and a bunch of other things. Get it done ASAP so you don't get stranded somewhere.

WDE46 · 11-25-2012, 02:48 PM

I'm pretty sure this is the sound the alien in Independence Day makes. My head almost blew up. You may want to check your intake for the presence of extra terrestrials.

99_323i_Steve · 11-25-2012, 03:25 PM

the catastrophe the guy above me explained is a little drastic but if you just started experiencing those noises you will be okay for a week or 2 until your parts come

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E462005 · 11-26-2012, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99_323i_Steve

pulley or tensioner in that area...i had the same noise on cold starts and replaced those parts, gone. I replaced both my tensioners and pulleys and belts while i was in there. engine bay is silent now.

Do you know the exact part number part name for that my car makes the same exact noise

99_323i_Steve · 11-26-2012, 06:10 PM

pulleys are here. http://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/323i/?keywords=pulley

you will most likely have to check and see if you have a mechanical tensioner or hydraulic tensioner. all the pulleys are above^^

RealOEM.com also will help you narrow down your model by VIN and tell you which parts you have...or you could get off the computer and open your hood and check for yourself haha

E462005 · 11-27-2012, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99_323i_Steve

pulleys are here. http://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/323i/?keywords=pulley

you will most likely have to check and see if you have a mechanical tensioner or hydraulic tensioner. all the pulleys are above^^

RealOEM.com also will help you narrow down your model by VIN and tell you which parts you have...or you could get off the computer and open your hood and check for yourself haha

Lol I got it its mechanical. Now I'm looking at parts. The pulleys come by themselves and they Also sell them with the tensioner. Should I go for the one with the tensioner? Because that's what was said that usually makes that sound

lovemy330ci · 11-27-2012, 12:10 PM

wouldnt drive it! protect your e46

99_323i_Steve · 11-27-2012, 03:35 PM

if you want to knock out 2 birds with 1 stone then Go for it that's what I did and now my car is absolutely silent under the hood. keep in mind that belt can also cause a loud squeal like that so maybe that as well.

Sent from my SPH-M820-BST using Bimmer App

E462005 · 11-27-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99_323i_Steve

if you want to knock out 2 birds with 1 stone then Go for it that's what I did and now my car is absolutely silent under the hood. keep in mind that belt can also cause a loud squeal like that so maybe that as well.

Sent from my SPH-M820-BST using Bimmer App

I asked e46mango this. If the pulleys are bad will I be able to tell just by looking at the belt while its spinning? Because the noise only happens in the morning. 4-5am then after I get off work 330pm. It's noisy for a few minutes then it stops. I looked at the belt while the car was on and it looked like it was running fine .

99_323i_Steve · 11-27-2012, 08:48 PM

they are grease bearings if they spin a lot than there worn out if they don't spin very much when you try to spin them their still good

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E462005 · 11-28-2012, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99_323i_Steve

they are grease bearings if they spin a lot than there worn out if they don't spin very much when you try to spin them their still good

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Ok I will try that out before I do anything thks

11-25-2012, 01:35 PM	#1
LetsEats Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Jose Posts: 14 My Ride: 2003 330I-155k miles View My Garage	Help to identify this noise Hi, can someone help identify this noise? It happens on occasion so I'm wondering if I could still drive it for a few days until I buy what needs to be replaced. Thanks.

11-25-2012, 01:40 PM	#2
99_323i_Steve Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Southern Wisconsin Posts: 80 My Ride: 1999 BMW 323i View My Garage	pulley or tensioner in that area...i had the same noise on cold starts and replaced those parts, gone. I replaced both my tensioners and pulleys and belts while i was in there. engine bay is silent now. __________________ I've learned some people think their a mechanic when they can do their own oil change. Don't always believe what you read. 99 323i. Factory:Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi, Winter Package w/ heated sport seats, and Sport package with Sport steering wheel and Sport suspension. Aftermarket: 16" rims, LED Angel Eyes, LED license plate lights, LED tails, LED depos, Black kidney grill, and DICE Aux jack input, 20% tint.

11-25-2012, 02:06 PM	#4
99_323i_Steve Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Southern Wisconsin Posts: 80 My Ride: 1999 BMW 323i View My Garage	ya these are just wear items. Your pulleys have grease bearings. Once they wear out they squeal and squeak. The tensioner causes looseness in the belt which can also cause the high pitch noises. I drove mine for a week after the noise came before my parts arrived, no harm done. __________________ I've learned some people think their a mechanic when they can do their own oil change. Don't always believe what you read. 99 323i. Factory:Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi, Winter Package w/ heated sport seats, and Sport package with Sport steering wheel and Sport suspension. Aftermarket: 16" rims, LED Angel Eyes, LED license plate lights, LED tails, LED depos, Black kidney grill, and DICE Aux jack input, 20% tint.

11-25-2012, 02:48 PM	#6
WDE46 Weagle Weagle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 3,628 My Ride: 2004 330Ci OBM View My Garage	I'm pretty sure this is the sound the alien in Independence Day makes. My head almost blew up. You may want to check your intake for the presence of extra terrestrials. Last edited by WDE46; 11-25-2012 at 02:49 PM.

11-25-2012, 03:25 PM	#7
99_323i_Steve Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Southern Wisconsin Posts: 80 My Ride: 1999 BMW 323i View My Garage	the catastrophe the guy above me explained is a little drastic but if you just started experiencing those noises you will be okay for a week or 2 until your parts come Sent from my SPH-M820-BST using Bimmer App __________________ I've learned some people think their a mechanic when they can do their own oil change. Don't always believe what you read. 99 323i. Factory:Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi, Winter Package w/ heated sport seats, and Sport package with Sport steering wheel and Sport suspension. Aftermarket: 16" rims, LED Angel Eyes, LED license plate lights, LED tails, LED depos, Black kidney grill, and DICE Aux jack input, 20% tint.

11-25-2012, 02:45 PM	#5
scim459 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 115 My Ride: 2002 330ci View My Garage	If the pulleys seize the belt will snap and you loose cooling, power steering and can destroy your fan and rupture your expansion tank and a bunch of other things. Get it done ASAP so you don't get stranded somewhere.

11-26-2012, 06:10 PM	#9
99_323i_Steve Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Southern Wisconsin Posts: 80 My Ride: 1999 BMW 323i View My Garage	pulleys are here. http://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/323i/?keywords=pulley you will most likely have to check and see if you have a mechanical tensioner or hydraulic tensioner. all the pulleys are above^^ RealOEM.com also will help you narrow down your model by VIN and tell you which parts you have...or you could get off the computer and open your hood and check for yourself haha __________________ I've learned some people think their a mechanic when they can do their own oil change. Don't always believe what you read. 99 323i. Factory:Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi, Winter Package w/ heated sport seats, and Sport package with Sport steering wheel and Sport suspension. Aftermarket: 16" rims, LED Angel Eyes, LED license plate lights, LED tails, LED depos, Black kidney grill, and DICE Aux jack input, 20% tint.

11-27-2012, 12:10 PM	#11
lovemy330ci Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NYC Posts: 193 My Ride: 2001 330ci topaz blu View My Garage	wouldnt drive it! protect your e46

11-27-2012, 03:35 PM	#12
99_323i_Steve Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Southern Wisconsin Posts: 80 My Ride: 1999 BMW 323i View My Garage	if you want to knock out 2 birds with 1 stone then Go for it that's what I did and now my car is absolutely silent under the hood. keep in mind that belt can also cause a loud squeal like that so maybe that as well. Sent from my SPH-M820-BST using Bimmer App __________________ I've learned some people think their a mechanic when they can do their own oil change. Don't always believe what you read. 99 323i. Factory:Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi, Winter Package w/ heated sport seats, and Sport package with Sport steering wheel and Sport suspension. Aftermarket: 16" rims, LED Angel Eyes, LED license plate lights, LED tails, LED depos, Black kidney grill, and DICE Aux jack input, 20% tint.

11-27-2012, 08:48 PM	#14
99_323i_Steve Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Southern Wisconsin Posts: 80 My Ride: 1999 BMW 323i View My Garage	they are grease bearings if they spin a lot than there worn out if they don't spin very much when you try to spin them their still good Sent from my SPH-M820-BST using Bimmer App __________________ I've learned some people think their a mechanic when they can do their own oil change. Don't always believe what you read. 99 323i. Factory:Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi, Winter Package w/ heated sport seats, and Sport package with Sport steering wheel and Sport suspension. Aftermarket: 16" rims, LED Angel Eyes, LED license plate lights, LED tails, LED depos, Black kidney grill, and DICE Aux jack input, 20% tint.

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