Hello resident experts...wondering if anyone can offer any suggestions on an issue I'm having with my '02 BMW 530i and a whirring noise coming from what seems to be the vanos? It started a few weeks ago and the best way to describe it is it sounds exactly like what a belt tensioner or idler pulley bearing starting to go would sound like. I have replaced both tensioner pulleys and the idler, replaced the water pump and no luck. The fan clutch is good, the belts are good, the car runs perfect but this noise is getting increasingly louder. I took it into a independent BMW shop and they couldn't pinpoint it but suspected it was coming from the vans. They said I could spend another $1000 trying to locate the problem and then add whatever repairs are needed to that or go buy a new car or run it till it dies. I don't have a lot of faith in this place after that assessment and am looking of any advise from the knowledge bank here. I'm contemplating taking it in to the dealer to get a second opinion but not sure it's worth it . The car has 88k and otherwise is perfect. Thanks in advance.
When was the last oil change done and has the correct oil been used i have had m52tu engines that where filled with the wrong oils make all sorts of funny noises and ever engine failure. This is where i would start
SOURCE: sounds like belt squeal on 1994 Plymouth Voyager
this could be the result of a few things.a belt thats too tght or too lose.there could be a bearing in the altenator going bad causing some grabbing on the belt.ther also could be an air compressor clutch beginning to freeze up.I hope this helps,
SOURCE: noisey drive belt, possibly alternator, belt
sounds like idler bearings but you have to release the tension to check,Also you can check the rest of the pulleys also at this time. I dont think you have to drop the engine.
SOURCE: Loud squealing sound in my engine
Try removing the belt and turning each pulley by hand. If everything is smooth and free, with the belt still off, drive down the block once and see if the noise is there (this will eliminate all rotating accessories on the front). If you hear the noise, then there is a problem deeper inside. Oil pressure is good? Dont' forget when doing this, you will have no power steering, so be careful.
SOURCE: audi serpentine belt problem
are you sure you put it on the right way go to autozone.com and get a belt diagram. did you put the belt on upsidedown?
SOURCE: I have 1999 Toyota Camry CE 4 Cylinder, my water
The belt is either too tightly fixed or a bit loose.
See to that but it does not affect the running of the car in anyway.
Cheers.
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Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have replaced all the pulley's (2-tensioner, 1-idler) and no change in noise. Yes, the belt is on correctly. The shop I took it to said they pulled the belts and ran it and the noise was still there. What's baffling is, there are NO other symptoms. No change in oil pressure, no decrease in performance in any way. It sounds like it's coming from the vanos but everything I've read so far says it would be making a lot more noise (like dieseling) which it is not. I'm baffled.
Update...I took it in to the BMW dealer for a second opinion and at first call they said the idler pulley was bad. When I said 'uh, no that was just replaced' they went back and looked again and low and behold, it was now the alternator brushes. When I questioned that, and re-explained the sounds I was getting, they went back and looked a third time and now it's the fan clutch. Hmmm...maybe I'm crazy but at this rate, it will be the spare tire in the trunk that is causing the noise. I'll know more tomorrow but as of right now, I don't see A) returning to this dealer and B) owning an older than 4-yr old BMW.
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