Squeaky Pulleys?

[BavarianZHP]

When I start up the car, there an intermittent squeak that lasts for a sec, stops, start, stops... from the engine bay. It goes away after I get up to speed. It's not too loud and imperceivable when you're inside the car. I think it's been going on for a week when I noticed it when I started the car and opened the door. I can hardly hear it with the window down. Could this be the first signs of a tensioner or idler pulley failing? I believe everything is original at 66k miles.

[brettbimmer]

Very well could be.

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[ELCID86]

SOUnds like it may be. I think I have the same issue. Bruce (BCS_ZHP) recommended removing the black caps and spraying lithium grease on them to see if it quiets them down. I suppose one at a time to isolate, but I'd probably replace all if that is indeed the problem.

[BavarianZHP]

I may just use that lithium grease. Thanks for the tip. Is changing out pulleys labor intensive? If so, I may just wait for a bit and do the entire cooling system with it since this baby still needs that done.

[kayger12]

Just replace them. Cheap and easy job that will prevent a catastrophic failure.

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[danewilson77]

just replace them. Cheap and easy job that will prevent a catastrophic failure.

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+1

htc dna on tt4 beta, williamsburg, va

[BavarianZHP]

Thanks guys, will do! Should I go OEM or are there more robust recommended parts available?

[danewilson77]

Thanks guys, will do! Should I go OEM or are there more robust recommended parts available?

OEM/Febi is good.

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

[ELCID86]

Can someone remind me what the sedans have? Mine is an '04. Do we need to verify hydraulic or spring tensioners?

http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=600906&page=2

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=410372&highlight=hydraulic+tensioner

Anything else to do while I'm in there? ~73k mi.

[danewilson77]

Do belts as well? Ac tensioner, deflection pulley and water pump pulley. Pretty ideal to refresh cooling system at this point as well, if your looking to spend $$$.

You should have hydraulic pulley. Just look at yours.

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

[BavarianZHP]

i think facelifted cars all have the hydraulic pulley ***EDIT: it's general consensus to just look at what you have to decide. Apparently this varied quite a bit****. I also believe it is recommended to upgrade to the hydraulic assembly if it the mechanical is replaced?

Ok, so total cost is around $160... With the OEM parts and Aluminum water pump pulley:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/PulleysTensionerBelt_zpse8fedbce.png (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/PulleysTensionerBelt_zpse8fedbce.png.html)


I don't need to replace the hydraulic alternator tensioner assembly right? That would cost a pretty penny:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Search/SiteSearch/Pulley_Tensioner/ES21813/

All looks good? As always I'm kinda tempted not to go OEM, but also end up doing so. LOL. Buy quality and you only cry once so they say.

[Hermes]

I changed my hydraulic tensioners (both alt and AC)

[ELCID86]

I think just changing the pulley would be fine (not the tensioner).

[BavarianZHP]

I'll inspect them first to see. I've spent way too much on aesthetic mods already - time for the mechanical. Any "performance" pulleys I should perhaps look at?

[danewilson77]

I changed my hydraulic tensioners (both alt and AC)

AC is not hydraulic.

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

[danewilson77]

I'll inspect them first to see. I've spent way too much on aesthetic mods already - time for the mechanical. Any "performance" pulleys I should perhaps look at?

I've heard good things about the TMS power pulleys.

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

[Hermes]

AC is not hydraulic.

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

Forgot, you are correct. Either way, I changed both tensioners


I've heard good things about the TMS power pulleys.

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

I also installed the TMS pulleys and like them

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/C0CB1E00-6E69-4DA9-8930-EA782877A934-4837-0000051328B962C9.jpg

[johnrando]

I have the TMS ones. To me, not a lot of difference but when I step on the gas, the car seems slightly more willing... so if you are going to replace, it's not a bad choice.

[BavarianZHP]

Thanks all, when I get back from Toronto I'll order a set.

[BavarianZHP]

For ZHP's does anyone know (for 2003 anyways) if we all have center punched or offset holed pulleys/tensioners? I see both on multiple webpages (offset and centered - only one will work) and do not really want to disassemble everything to find out if I don't have to.

[danewilson77]

I'm unsure how you're ordering your parts.

Go to www.realoem.com and enter the last 7 digits of your VIN.....then pull up your pulley part numbers. You can PM me your last 7 and I will look up the part numbers for you as long as I know what you're looking for.

[BavarianZHP]

Thanks Dane! I'll try looking at RealOem first. Teach a man how to fish... Thanks man.

[danewilson77]

Exactly. So enter your last 7 digits in the "Serial number" block.....then click "Browse parts"

Go to "switch to images drill down" (easier imho...it's a button)...then click on "Engine", then select "BELT DRIVE WATER PUMP/ALTERNATOR"

Most likely you will find your P/N to be:

-WP pulley = 11287838797

-Deflection/idler Pulley = 11287841228

-AC tensioner = 11287512758 (This P/N can be found by selecting "BELT DRIVE CLIMATE COMPRESSOR" one screen back under "Engine".

[BavarianZHP]

Yep! Awesome. RealOEM looks intimidating, but it's oh so helpful!

[danewilson77]

Yeah.... You'll find it very easy to use once you're familiar with it. Lemme know if you can't find a drawing. I'll help ya out.

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

[BavarianZHP]

Best price for pulleys I could find (beating amazon and ebay even) was pelicanparts. They even have aluminum versions - which I bought for the water pump and power steering.

REAL OEM:

Serpentine:
Deflection/Idler pulley 11287841228 $46.81
ADJUSTING PULLEY 11281748131 $45.97
RIBBED V-BELT 11287636379 $67.76
WP Pulley 11511436590 $30.32


A/C:
RIBBED V-BELT 11287512762 $23.70
ADJUSTING PULLEY 11287512758 $114.67



PelicanParts:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/PulleyPurchasePelican_zps1f58fa34.png (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/PulleyPurchasePelican_zps1f58fa34.png.html)


I ended up just getting the roller for the mechanical A/C tensioner - no need to pay $50 for the entire assembly:

Dayco 89133 Drive Belt Idler Pulley - $20 shipped for roller. Total damage: $130 shipped.

[ELCID86]

Nice. Thanks for the parts list and recommended vendor. Hope the install goes well.