e39 Noisy....something?! Video Included!

[jamster1432]

Hi all.

Noticed a slight issue with my e39 today, was stood having a ciggarette in a layby (as you do, no smoking in my car ) and noticed a grinding, rubbing noise coming from the front of the car.

On further inspection and research it seems that it could be the tensioner belt pulley. What is involved in replacement of so called pulley? I Suppose its a belt of some sort and possibly a pump but I thought they were all chain driven?

Mileage has just come up to 163k, inspection II done about 6k ago, oil about 3k.

Video is on youtube here is the link (apologies for the shortness, but notice that when I put the camera toward the front of the engine bay you can really hear it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYTW7lod2SA&fea...

Anywho im not a mechanic and guessing some on here are more mechanically minded than I am so please, be honest, if im going to have to bend over with my pants down at BMW MD, a warning would be nice.

Cheers
J

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Where are you based fella? There's no need for your E39 to visit a main dealer. People/purchasers are as happy to see a specialist history in subsequent years of an E39's life. The collective knowledge on here means we'll be able to save you some money and give you peace of mind too.

[jamster1432]

Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:

Where are you based fella? There's no need for your E39 to visit a main dealer. People/purchasers are as happy to see a specialist history in subsequent years of an E39's life. The collective knowledge on here means we'll be able to save you some money and give you peace of mind too.

Im just outside oxford, by the M40.

Thats good, I did want to continue the BMW service history & repair (ok it has 2 specialists stamps) but suppose most of the gp wont like the mileage anyway ha! So specialists or anyone who knows their stuff on the buvarian works im happy with!

Ive had a friend look at it whos a mech and he said that its probably my power steering pump, he is going to get his listening stick out (cue the puns) to have a listen tomorrow but also;

a: When you rev the car it sounds like its going "wooooahhh" in a funny tone, loudly, even when driving along (Power steering noise)

b: When I turn right in the morning when its cold, it makes another sort of oooh noise, only once and only on full lock right turn.

c: The noise is coming from the power steering pump...makes sense ha.

So he has said to top it up with transmission fluid (its red...if that is correct) and it may quieten it down.

What do you think?

[steve_bmw]

could be the pump, if you hold it on full lock does the sound get worse and when you let go of the steering wheel its not as bad?

remove the belt first, if the noise is there all the time this will quickly identify the problem if its the pump.

[jamster1432]

steve_bmw said:

could be the pump, if you hold it on full lock does the sound get worse and when you let go of the steering wheel its not as bad?

remove the belt first, if the noise is there all the time this will quickly identify the problem if its the pump.

Hi, thanks for the advice.

Tried as you said and the noise doesnt go away. Dont have the balls to take the belt of myself as you have to remove fan shroud and fan clutch, then tensioning everything up i dont trust myself doing either.

Any reputable BMW specialists in the Oxford area?

Thanks
J

[Salom]

I think you'll find that it's the Water Pump...

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Oh the irony! I can't help you I'm afraid - I know West London/Surrey or Pembrokeshire only.

I was rather hoping someone would have offered a suggestion by now.

What I would say is to have a look in the PH directory - there might be some firms near you in there or try www.bmw5.co.uk perhaps.

Mind you - are you close to Cotswold BMW? They've been brilliant for parts with me - accurate, cheap, and delivered the parts in good time too.

I know you need services etc and an indy for that - I'll have a look and see what I can find.

[jamster1432]

Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:

Oh the irony! I can't help you I'm afraid - I know West London/Surrey or Pembrokeshire only.

I was rather hoping someone would have offered a suggestion by now.

What I would say is to have a look in the PH directory - there might be some firms near you in there or try www.bmw5.co.uk perhaps.

Mind you - are you close to Cotswold BMW? They've been brilliant for parts with me - accurate, cheap, and delivered the parts in good time too.

I know you need services etc and an indy for that - I'll have a look and see what I can find.

Hi bud

Thanks for looking. Please keep me updated. Ive found a company in Aylesbury, BMWMX or something along those lines (found on the indy list on ph)

Have a little update for you all anyway, here is a second video I took, this is one of me revving the car (when warm) and its getting louder by the day! (like a witch is going "arrrr!" under the bonnet)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckjitqbbl7A

Ignore the first 10 seconds as its a car going past but other than that, i have no idea. Sounds very much like a power steering pump imo.

Let me know your thoughts.

[steve_bmw]

sounds like power steering pump bearings. take the belt of and you will probably find it.

[Digger]

I can recommend these guys.

http://www.janddvehiclerepairs.com/html/home.html

Dont be put off by the premises. They looked after my E39.

[tgr]

Based on the video and noise I'd say it was the water pump. Belt and tensioner worth replacing too at the same time, unless they are recent

[jamster1432]

Digger said:

I can recommend these guys.

http://www.janddvehiclerepairs.com/html/home.html

Dont be put off by the premises. They looked after my E39.

Little update. After trying to diagnose the issue. A friend said it was the steering pump so off it went to a supposedly BWM specialist (no names mentioned), after 24 hours of having it they said they could find nothing wrong.

I continued to use the car for another day, until Thursday (2nd Feb) when I started the car to go back to work from lunch, something slipped and made a loud knocking noise, opened the bonnet to find this;




Realising i was a little screwed i rang J and D vehicle repairs (as Digger mentioned), they told me to get it recovered up to them, so thats what I did (thanks green flag...£36 mileage charge later)



So it left about 3pm thursday, come friday AM, about 11am Friday I called, it was done! Oil serviced as well!

It was a pulley that was siezing up causing the noise, the bigger noise I heard was the bearings breaking up, in turn, it seized on the wonk, taking the belt with it!

So, new belt, new pulley, oil serviced and all checked £370!

So, all in all if you need anything done in the Oxford or Bucks area, I can HIGHLY recommend J&D (www.janddvehiclerepairs.com)

Dont worry about the premises, they know their stuff, get it done at very good prices and at a very high standard! Will be taking my 5ive there again for sure!

Cheers
J

[Digger]

Excellent news. Glad it all worked out.