Strange Noise on Cold starts - BMW Forum

jsasfa01 · 02-06-2007, 12:08 AM

Hey, I have a 2003 325i and recently when I have started my car in the cold winter weather my car make a loud humming/squeeling noise. I asked a good friend of mine who knows some about BMW's and he said he thought that my air conditioner was old and my belt was worn...something about a $500 replacement at my local BMW dealer. Has anyone else had any kind of strange noise from their car when they first start in bitter cold weather? Is there some kind of belt spray I can put on a belt or a tensioner that needs to be tightened...

SpeedInfusion · 02-06-2007, 03:13 AM

sounds like a belt

drz · 02-06-2007, 03:41 AM

THe tensioners are sel-tensioning, so you may need new belts. $500 is an outrageous price to pay. If you do not feel comfortable changing your belts yourself, then find a reputable independent shop that will do it.

Air conditioner old??? My car is elevn years old and has 201,xxx miles on the odometer, and I am still running the original HVAC equipment. It all seems to point to a belt.

jsasfa01 · 02-06-2007, 02:36 PM

so you guys think it might be a belt. Would you all recommend using a belt spray or just checking to see about getting a new belt put on? I have also heard it might be the secondary air pump? Whats my next move?

exjarhead328 · 02-07-2007, 08:05 AM

Every car is going to make some kind of noise when it's 7 freakin' degrees, don't worry about it, give it a few minutes to warm up.

drz · 02-07-2007, 09:53 AM

No belt spray. Just do it right. I am assuming that the noise you mention is a loud, high-pitched, chirp.

Hootie · 02-07-2007, 12:53 PM

The secondary air pump gives a distinct engine error code if it's faulty, tripping the SES light on the dash. My guess is also belt. Does the car make this noise once it's warmed up and been driven? I would think a bad belt would make this noise constantly.

BimmerMan43 · 02-08-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exjarhead328

Every car is going to make some kind of noise when it's 7 freakin' degrees, don't worry about it, give it a few minutes to warm up.

agreed... shit is cold... do you run at peak performance when it's cold out? Neither does a car... it's fine.