E46 318 se Squeak!!!! Please Help!

[shvanal]

Hi please help! I have a 2000 e46 318se and there is a really annoying squeak coming from the front of the engine. At first i thought it was simple a belt replacement, but both belts seem fine, good tread, no cracks and tight!
Also normally if it is a slipping belt i would assume when you rev it the squeak would get worse but it seems to disappear when you rev? The squeak only seems to be apparent when the car is idle? Also when it’s idle the revs seem slightly irregular.
I have tried WD40 (a lot!) on all belt wheels and alternator but this doesn’t seem to have fixed it
Please any ideas?

[johnnyBgood]

Originally Posted by shvanal

Hi please help! I have a 2000 e46 318se and there is a really annoying squeak coming from the front of the engine. At first i thought it was simple a belt replacement, but both belts seem fine, good tread, no cracks and tight!
Also normally if it is a slipping belt i would assume when you rev it the squeak would get worse but it seems to disappear when you rev? The squeak only seems to be apparent when the car is idle? Also when it’s idle the revs seem slightly irregular.
I have tried WD40 (a lot!) on all belt wheels and alternator but this doesn’t seem to have fixed it
Please any ideas?

Welcome to the Werkz...........

It is most likely the belt tensioner pulley.......

looks like #2 in link below:

RealOEM.com BMW E46 318i Belt Drive Climate Compressor

[shvanal]

Thanks for the quick reply, do think it needs replacing or just tightening or a bit of WD40 etc...?

[johnnyBgood]

Originally Posted by shvanal

Thanks for the quick reply, do think it needs replacing or just tightening or a bit of WD40 etc...?

Replacing.......once they start making noise, the bearings are worn & or the spring tension is shot!



jb

[shvanal]

Great! thanks so much! Do you think this would also explain the slightly irregular revs when its idle?