**PSA** Check this ASAP if you haven't already!

jjbmuu · 11-23-2016, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdnno98

Well, just went and checked. My pulley and belt is tight. I'm still not sure where the vibration is coming from though.

Are your wheels properly balanced, if so how do you know? Did you put a socket on the bolts to check, doubt that's what it is, but just wondering.

feuer · 11-23-2016, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

153k miles!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojobmw_e90

Stop driving so much!

Or get a Neon, preferably without powersteering

mojobmw_e90 · 11-23-2016, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

Or get a Neon, preferably without powersteering

My neon got less miles than 70% of these 335 out here.. 66k Playa

feuer · 11-23-2016, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojobmw_e90

My neon got less miles than 70% of these 335 out here.. 66k Playa

Probably because is slow and takes longer to rack up miles. Anyhow, sirdaft1 won't appreciate the thead hijack. So let continue with the jokes over beer soon.

mojobmw_e90 · 11-23-2016, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

Probably because is slow and takes longer to rack up miles. Anyhow, sirdaft1 won't appreciate the thead hijack. So let continue with the jokes over beer soon.

And those top hats?! Modello!

mweisdorfer · 11-24-2016, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

Public service anouncement: CHECK YOUR POWER STEERING BOLTS IF YOU HAVEN'T RECENTLY!! (Not the pulley bolts, but the actual mounting bolts)

I had no idea that this was a known issue on the N54 until this just happened to me. There are many documented cases of one (or more) of the bolts backing out over time, causing the P/S pump to loose tension and shred the serpentine belt as it falls off. A shredded belt on a running N54 is a bad bad thing and has been known to cause catastrophic engine failure in many instances.

Fortunately I dodged a bullet and shut the car off as soon as I lost power steering.

This was my serp belt:

The missing bolt:

Here is a video of another N54 owner who had the same thing happen on his 135i pointing out the culprit:

So if you haven't already, take a few minutes to ensure that all of your P/S bolts are still there and torqued to the proper specs. Not worth risking your engine.

Thanks for the heads up.

If people have DIY'd the oil pan gasket, recently, they are ok. That DIY on the N54 requires you to remove the pump from the oil pan. So, you have to reattach it once your putting things back together.

Once again, your PSA is much appreciated

zero2sixtyZ · 11-24-2016, 01:25 PM

Just in case anyone wants to have a bolt handy, or replace: 07129905738 (M10x35 10.9) according to RealOEM.

N54Society · 11-24-2016, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeef

You sure this isn't from someone else's work? I feel like if this was a problem, it would have been known already.

It is well known. It happened to me as well. I was less fortunate and had to replace the oil pan (where two bolts mount to) when I finally figured out what the noise was coming from. I ended up doing the pan along with the gasket at the same time.

feuer · 11-25-2016, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbp6us

It is well known. It happened to me as well. I was less fortunate and had to replace the oil pan (where two bolts mount to) when I finally figured out what the noise was coming from. I ended up doing the pan along with the gasket at the same time.

Why exactly you had to replace the oil pan?

pysical · 11-25-2016, 04:02 PM

About a month ago i found a random bolt on my engine bay tray. Made a post here about it. Turned out power steering pump bolt came all the way out.

cya · 11-25-2016, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pysical

About a month ago i found a random bolt on my engine bay tray. Made a post here about it. Turned out power steering pump bolt came all the way out.

Happen to me last year. Put the bolt back and it loosened up again about 6 month later. Make sure to put some lock tight on it or it may happen again.

N54Society · 11-26-2016, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

Why exactly you had to replace the oil pan?

The threads were completely stripped. No one wanted to rethread aluminum. I was inexperienced at the time and didn't have time to fix it. I paid $200 for a replacement pan.

BSM n54iS · 11-26-2016, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giggling_Donkey

Assuming it's not supposed to move, time to put some red loctite on that bish!

Ehhh blue may be a better choice, just in case..

bigdnno98 · 11-27-2016, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdnno98

Well, just went and checked. My pulley and belt is tight. I'm still not sure where the vibration is coming from though.

Describe the vibration? Stating simply vibration is rather vague.

it's very faint. almost like a hum. it increases some when I'm in park and press the gas a tiny bit. other than being parked I don't really notice it. I'm going to drop the under tray and put a torque wrench on the bolts soon. Mayne next weekend.

TDI_G · 01-10-2017, 05:29 PM

A couple weeks ago I was replacing my serpentine belt as preventative maintenance and when I went to check the bolts on my power steering pump I discovered that the pulley was cracked from impacting the subframe. I had no idea that problem existed until I googled it. I am really lucky my belt didn't shred. I had to drive an hour to round up a new pulley as none of the dealers close by had it in stock. My car is a 2008 with a 12/07 build date. When I change my oil pan gasked in the near future I'll put some 335IS motor mounts in when the subframe is dropped. Might even take a grinder to the subframe to clearance out the area where the pulley hits.

bigdnno98 · 02-03-2017, 12:14 PM

Mine ended up being power steering bolts also. Pulled the under tray, one bolt was laying in the under tray. A second bolt was less than hand tight. Bumping this thread so, hopefully, people drop their tray and check the 3 bolts holding their power steering pump on. This is becoming widespread.

MadeInPhilly · 02-03-2017, 01:17 PM

where is the easiest access to get to the bolts? Under the car?

bigdnno98 · 02-03-2017, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadeInPhilly

where is the easiest access to get to the bolts? Under the car?

definitely.

jrsniper12453 · 02-03-2017, 10:41 PM

Well this is worrisome!

Does anyone have a really quick dyi? Like

1. Jack up the front/whole thing
2. Remove the front tray and # bolts
3. Its right in your face/remove something else and then there it is

AndyW · 02-04-2017, 07:07 PM

Thx for this. All my bolts were tight but am glad i checked!

For all...getting the socket on from below requires a universal joint adapter and a decent length extension if you don't want to have to disconnect a few things in the way...

feuer · 05-31-2018, 10:46 AM

Just happened to me. As preventative maintenance I replaced all the pulleys, tensioner and belt. I also check the bolts. But on the second track day this year the belt shredded. Luckily I had one e=torx bolt from starter replacement so I used it to fix the car on the spot. Starter bolt is little different, no separate washer, but tread pitch and length are perfect match. I put some blue Locktite on there this time lol

Jklad · 05-31-2018, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

Just happened to me. As preventative maintenance I replaced all the pulleys, tensioner and belt. I also check the bolts. But on the second track day this year the belt shredded. Luckily I had one e=torx bolt from starter replacement so I used it to fix the car on the spot. Starter bolt is little different, no separate washer, but tread pitch and length are perfect match. I put some blue Locktite on there this time lol

Holy crap - did anything get sucked in?

11-24-2016, 01:25 PM	#29
zero2sixtyZ Colonel 1040 Rep 2,725 Posts Drives: e92 + f15 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cambridge, MA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2015 X5 xdrive50i [10.00] 2007 335i Coupe [9.62]	Just in case anyone wants to have a bolt handy, or replace: 07129905738 (M10x35 10.9) according to RealOEM.
	Appreciate 1 sirdaft12245.50 Quote

11-25-2016, 04:02 PM	#32
pysical Captain 131 Rep 713 Posts Drives: 2009 335xi Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Laurel MD iTrader: (1)	About a month ago i found a random bolt on my engine bay tray. Made a post here about it. Turned out power steering pump bolt came all the way out.
	Appreciate 2 sirdaft12245.50 feuer4289.00 Quote

01-10-2017, 05:29 PM	#37
TDI_G Enlisted Member 3 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Sedan Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	A couple weeks ago I was replacing my serpentine belt as preventative maintenance and when I went to check the bolts on my power steering pump I discovered that the pulley was cracked from impacting the subframe. I had no idea that problem existed until I googled it. I am really lucky my belt didn't shred. I had to drive an hour to round up a new pulley as none of the dealers close by had it in stock. My car is a 2008 with a 12/07 build date. When I change my oil pan gasked in the near future I'll put some 335IS motor mounts in when the subframe is dropped. Might even take a grinder to the subframe to clearance out the area where the pulley hits. __________________ E90 335i 6AT - JR Auto Tuning Performance Tune (Jarek@JRAuto) - Alpina B3 - VRSF Catless Downpipes
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-03-2017, 12:14 PM	#38
bigdnno98 Real Car Enthusiast 289 Rep 2,082 Posts Drives: 340xi Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Germany iTrader: (8)	Mine ended up being power steering bolts also. Pulled the under tray, one bolt was laying in the under tray. A second bolt was less than hand tight. Bumping this thread so, hopefully, people drop their tray and check the 3 bolts holding their power steering pump on. This is becoming widespread.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-03-2017, 01:17 PM	#39
MadeInPhilly First Lieutenant 44 Rep 301 Posts Drives: E30 318is, E90 335i, 03 GTI Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	where is the easiest access to get to the bolts? Under the car?
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02-03-2017, 10:41 PM	#41
jrsniper12453 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas/LA iTrader: (0)	Well this is worrisome! Does anyone have a really quick dyi? Like 1. Jack up the front/whole thing 2. Remove the front tray and # bolts 3. Its right in your face/remove something else and then there it is __________________ 2007 335i, Space Gray, Black/Alum, Sports, Prem, CA, Navi, iPod
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02-04-2017, 07:07 PM	#42
AndyW Supreme Galactic Commander (one galaxy over...) 703 Rep 1,787 Posts Drives: '08 E93, '12 E82, '13 E93 M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Washington, USA iTrader: (5)	Thx for this. All my bolts were tight but am glad i checked! For all...getting the socket on from below requires a universal joint adapter and a decent length extension if you don't want to have to disconnect a few things in the way... __________________ Best, Andy '12 E82-PS2,Stoptechs,Clubsports+M3 bits,Accusump,Wagner DP+EVO III FMIC,ERCP,BMS Intake,Mason Strut Bar,Wedge Tune
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05-31-2018, 10:46 AM	#43
feuer Major General 4289 Rep 9,224 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	Just happened to me. As preventative maintenance I replaced all the pulleys, tensioner and belt. I also check the bolts. But on the second track day this year the belt shredded. Luckily I had one e=torx bolt from starter replacement so I used it to fix the car on the spot. Starter bolt is little different, no separate washer, but tread pitch and length are perfect match. I put some blue Locktite on there this time lol Attached Images
	Appreciate 1 sirdaft12245.50 Quote