E90 serpentine belt noises when cold (new belts, tensioner and idler pulley)

e90_chris · 01-15-2022, 03:57 AM

Hi guys, got some frustrating noises from my car when cold.

Would a bad vibration damper cause this? Haven't checked it yet.
Any opinions are very much appreciated so I could get this sorted out..

Cold start
https://vimeo.com/666238323

After 15minutes drive
https://vimeo.com/666239081

New tensioner
New idler pulley
New serpentine belt
New stretchbelt

The noises were there before I started replacing aswell, hence the replacement.
It also makes a quick "chirp" sound when starting it up.

Serf27 · 01-15-2022, 04:19 AM

Any bent pulleys could cause that.
Have you looked at the pulleys with the engine running?
You should be able to see if any are not spinning straight.

e90_chris · 01-15-2022, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serf27

Any bent pulleys could cause that.
Have you looked at the pulleys with the engine running?
You should be able to see if any are not spinning straight.

Before I replaced the tensioner the belt would slide out a bit after startup on the tensioner (if that makes sense). Doesn't do that now though, after replacing it.

The tensioner is wiggling a bit when the car is running

Video of car running
https://vimeo.com/666245055

Serf27 · 01-15-2022, 04:35 AM

Makes sense. I did a tensioner on a 328i a while ago where the belt would also slip off half way.
The tensioner spring had snapped.

What brand tensioner did you get?

e90_chris · 01-15-2022, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serf27

Makes sense. I did a tensioner on a 328i a while ago where the belt would also slip off half way.
The tensioner spring had snapped.

What brand tensioner did you get?

Ah I see. Got a 'Febi Bilstein' one !

EyeGuy · 01-15-2022, 09:06 AM

I had a similar noise and it ended up being the ac compressor just below. My mechanic and I misdiagnosed the issue and replaced the tensioner pulleys and belt prior.
The noise persisted until the pulley on the ac compressor broke off mid drive and caused all types of carnage.

e90_chris · 01-15-2022, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyeGuy

I had a similar noise and it ended up being the ac compressor just below. My mechanic and I misdiagnosed the issue and replaced the tensioner pulleys and belt prior.
The noise persisted until the pulley on the ac compressor broke off mid drive and caused all types of carnage.

Thanks for feedback, I'll give it a check!

E92.Dom · 01-15-2022, 09:07 PM

Been battling a belt noise myself for quite some time. Not a fun experience

e90_chris · 02-22-2022, 03:39 AM

Seems to be the waterpump, incase anyone is curious. Some loose play on the pulley. Have ordered a new one, will post updates after replacing

thalastdon1985 · 02-22-2022, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90_chris

Seems to be the waterpump, incase anyone is curious. Some loose play on the pulley. Have ordered a new one, will post updates after replacing

What engine do you have? The six cylinder engines all use an electric water pump that is not belt driven.

e90yyc · 02-22-2022, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thalastdon1985

What engine do you have? The six cylinder engines all use an electric water pump that is not belt driven.

It’s a 316i and sounds very much like a diesel

. But I didn’t know there were variants that used a mechanical WP. Good to know!

StradaRedlands · 02-22-2022, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyeGuy

I had a similar noise and it ended up being the ac compressor just below. My mechanic and I misdiagnosed the issue and replaced the tensioner pulleys and belt prior.
The noise persisted until the pulley on the ac compressor broke off mid drive and caused all types of carnage.

Had something similar happen on our GL450... it sucked.

e90_chris · 02-24-2022, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thalastdon1985

What engine do you have? The six cylinder engines all use an electric water pump that is not belt driven.

M47tu2d20, E90 2007 320d

DS3IAM · 02-25-2022, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyeGuy

I had a similar noise and it ended up being the ac compressor just below. My mechanic and I misdiagnosed the issue and replaced the tensioner pulleys and belt prior.
The noise persisted until the pulley on the ac compressor broke off mid drive and caused all types of carnage.

aaa

Same here after changing all the pulleys and belts, shortly thereafter my ac compressor failed.

e90_chris · 02-26-2022, 10:38 AM

It was indeed the waterpump that was squeaking. Shaft had some play. Car has 164k km.

Thanks for feedback, all

01-15-2022, 03:57 AM	#1
e90_chris New Member 1 Rep 13 Posts Drives: '06 E90 316i Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	E90 serpentine belt noises when cold (new belts, tensioner and idler pulley) Hi guys, got some frustrating noises from my car when cold. Would a bad vibration damper cause this? Haven't checked it yet. Any opinions are very much appreciated so I could get this sorted out.. Cold start https://vimeo.com/666238323 After 15minutes drive https://vimeo.com/666239081 New tensioner New idler pulley New serpentine belt New stretchbelt The noises were there before I started replacing aswell, hence the replacement. It also makes a quick "chirp" sound when starting it up. Last edited by e90_chris; 01-15-2022 at 04:14 AM..
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01-15-2022, 04:19 AM	#2
Serf27 Brigadier General 2899 Rep 4,333 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Sitting in a BMW. iTrader: (-1)	Any bent pulleys could cause that. Have you looked at the pulleys with the engine running? You should be able to see if any are not spinning straight.
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01-15-2022, 04:35 AM	#4
Serf27 Brigadier General 2899 Rep 4,333 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Sitting in a BMW. iTrader: (-1)	Makes sense. I did a tensioner on a 328i a while ago where the belt would also slip off half way. The tensioner spring had snapped. What brand tensioner did you get?
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01-15-2022, 09:06 AM	#6
EyeGuy Second Lieutenant 167 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 08 335xi coupe, 17 nx200t, 23 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY -> Fl iTrader: (2)	I had a similar noise and it ended up being the ac compressor just below. My mechanic and I misdiagnosed the issue and replaced the tensioner pulleys and belt prior. The noise persisted until the pulley on the ac compressor broke off mid drive and caused all types of carnage.
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01-15-2022, 09:07 PM	#8
E92.Dom Private First Class 66 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2012 bmw e92 335i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Been battling a belt noise myself for quite some time. Not a fun experience
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02-22-2022, 03:39 AM	#9
e90_chris New Member 1 Rep 13 Posts Drives: '06 E90 316i Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	Seems to be the waterpump, incase anyone is curious. Some loose play on the pulley. Have ordered a new one, will post updates after replacing
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02-26-2022, 10:38 AM	#15
e90_chris New Member 1 Rep 13 Posts Drives: '06 E90 316i Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	It was indeed the waterpump that was squeaking. Shaft had some play. Car has 164k km. Thanks for feedback, all
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