Very Sqeaky Belts..or Bearings.

[Numark318i]

ok, car squeaks when it is damp out side. It only did it when i first started to take off, but now it sqeaks as im driving sometimes to. Its very high pitched, and almost sounds like a bearing. Has anyone had this problem.

The belts look fairly new, no cracks or anything, they arent loose.

Where can this noise be coming from?

[Speedy-325is]

i dont know...its ur car... listen to it.
squeaking like that is usually a belt...check them again.
could b a bearing or pulley, but they normally hiss or rattle.
lemme know what it is u need and ill sell it to you.

btw, my homie is still trying to find the connector plugs u need. sorry he lags, but hes sure they r somewhere in his shop.

Mark

[motel_king]

My '85 318iA was emitting a loud squealling sound on start up which was loud enough to startle passerbys. After that novelty started to wear thin, I figured I'd better check out what the deal was. Turns out the belts were still OK but the alternator was loose on its adjustment mounting (worn rubber bushes) and was pulling to the right making the belt squeal. A six hour job (that would have taken anyone else an hour) sorted it out.

[Numark318i]

Originally posted by motel_king@Nov 10 2004, 06:12 AM
My '85 318iA was emitting a loud squealling sound on start up which was loud enough to startle passerbys. After that novelty started to wear thin, I figured I'd better check out what the deal was. Turns out the belts were still OK but the alternator was loose on its adjustment mounting (worn rubber bushes) and was pulling to the right making the belt squeal. A six hour job (that would have taken anyone else an hour) sorted it out.

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so worn bushings?




Mark you wanna hook it up with some bushings?

[BMW Lover]

yeah man i was thinking bushings also ~_~

[Speedy-325is]

alternator bushings???? they are still on the alternator i have that works perfectly...give me a good rea$on to pull them off and i might.....

[motel_king]

I get a feeling my terminology might be unclear...when I refer to "bushings" I mean the four cylindrical black rubber mounts that fit inside the part of the alternator that bolts to the bracket on the block. Maybe that's not the correct technical term and I'd hate to send someone on a goosechase.

But, on my car these were seriously shot to the point of disintegration which visibly caused the alternator to pull forward when the engine was revved and backwards when not. It should be easily detectable if that is the problem...any forward freeplay will mean the "rubber things" are screwed.

If so, you'll need 4 to overhaul it properly - and they are available in two sizes - get the longer ones - they cost me AUD$8 each at the local BMW sharks (I'd expected maybe 50 cents each...ha ha - had to put 'em on credit). Lesson #554 - don't even think of going near a BMW dealership with no money.

It is very easy job to do - I did it without any mechanical aptitude. Amazing what poverty makes you accomplish.

But the bottom line is - I fixed the squealing sound in the engine. Now I need to work on my kids.