[harry d]

Hi All,

I have had the M5 for almost a week now and I hear a very annoying 'squeak' sound which appears to be coming from the front of the car near the fan and alternator area - as a test when sticky spray is put on the belt the sound is quiet again. Still get some sound from the spinning fan though - are these easy to replace/cheap as there might be a dodgy bearing making the sound?

I have looked at the belts and they don't seem deteriorated or really old so was wondering is this something I just live with (sound goes faster as the car goes faster!) or do I pay BMW main dealer £114 for an hour's diagnosis?

The other squeak sound I get is when turning the car left into a road especially at slower speeds - is fine when turning right once again annoying sound which I don't know if it's indicating a potential problem, steering feels fine.

I want the car to sound like an M5, was hoping that would be smooth and refined and only really make sound when accelerating hard, not like some old clapped up diesel car!

Advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[ALPINE_M5]

You might want to have the belts professionally checked if you can't determine direct cause. Sometimes that can be caused by a waterpump.giving out soon. Should be a free inspection and do it for your peace of mind. Preventative maintenance is much cheaper than the alternative.

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[harry d]

Should be a free inspection and do it for your peace of mind. Preventative maintenance is much cheaper than the alternative.

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I wish it was free inspection, they have already said it's going to be £114 (sterling) for the first hour and if they only have the car for half an hour then half the price - do I go with the main dealer inspection or would you just take it to another specialist/garage.

I guess either way it needs to be looked at just for peace of mind!

 

[ALPINE_M5]

I would look for a trusted indy shop. A good shop can look and not.charge. its a few mins to check. Good luck.

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[trbo930]

A lot of times the belts appear to look good but will be noisy. If the car has a bit of mileage it would be a good idea to replaced belts , tensioner pulleys & dampners. While someone is in there it would be a good idea to have the water pump also checked.

 

[RoundelM5]

You don't say what mileage you have on car. Personally, parts are cheap and I would just replace belts and tensioners. See this thread for diy...belts are very easy, as is one tensioner, the other is a little more work but very doable. And replace the fan clutch too, while you have it out.
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e3...belts-replacement-fan-clutch-replacement.html
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/172351-serpentine-belts.html

If you're not comfortable with the DIY, +1 on a good independent shop in the UK.

 

[JustinM5]

If you're near hounslow try bwchiptune Jason knows his stuff.

 

[captain_anonymous_2003]

I have the tools to remove the fan and replace the belts and tensioners. I am in Basingstoke.. If you want a hand doing this I have a garage and I am perfectly willing to help out.. I in fact did this about 2 weeks ago on my own car! It's straight forward and we can check your waterpump for play while we are at it.

If I were you.. I'd replace the belts.... the only tensioner thats a pain is the alternator belt, the A/C tensioner is easy to replace... As I said offer is there..

Cheers

Craig

 

[harry d]

You don't say what mileage you have on car. Personally, parts are cheap and I would just replace belts and tensioners. See this thread for diy...belts are very easy,

I forgot I haven't mentioned the mileage on this thread, I must have done so on my new owner thread - mileage is 142k miles. First owner was a lady who did 120k miles of the total miles.

 

[harry d]

I have the tools to remove the fan and replace the belts and tensioners. I am in Basingstoke.. If you want a hand doing this I have a garage and I am perfectly willing to help out.. I in fact did this about 2 weeks ago on my own car! It's straight forward and we can check your waterpump for play while we are at it.

If I were you.. I'd replace the belts.... the only tensioner thats a pain is the alternator belt, the A/C tensioner is easy to replace... As I said offer is there..

Cheers

Craig

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the offer, love the way you said "if you want a hand doing this" - problem is I don't do DIY, not in my house not on my car...!! There is no way I would even attempt to do this kind of job, wish I knew how to or had more of an interest on that side of things could save myself a few pounds.

Cheers :cheers:
H

 

[RoundelM5]

I forgot I haven't mentioned the mileage on this thread, I must have done so on my new owner thread - mileage is 142k miles. First owner was a lady who did 120k miles of the total miles.

Replace 'em all - belts, tensioners and maybe water pump if you're a "replace it before it goes" type of guy!

I just (as in I just came in from the garage) replaced both belts, AC tensioner and my timing chain tensioner in just over an hour. Not difficult stuff and only need a few basic tools.

Good luck!

 

[harry d]

Replace 'em all - belts, tensioners and maybe water pump if you're a "replace it before it goes" type of guy!

I just (as in I just came in from the garage) replaced both belts, AC tensioner and my timing chain tensioner in just over an hour. Not difficult stuff and only need a few basic tools.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

 

[RoundelM5]

Here are PNs and approximate (US) prices

Belts
alternator/water pump belt PN: 11-28-7-833-264 approx $40
ac belt PN: 11-28-7-833-266 approx $26

Tensioners
alternator/water pump tensioner PN: 11-28-2-248-214 approx $115
ac tensioner PN: 11-28-1-407-520 approx $115
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[harry d]

Thanks for the info once again, if I was in the States I would bring my car to yourself and you could do the belts for me..!!!

 

[RoundelM5]

Thanks for the info once again, if I was in the States I would bring my car to yourself and you could do the belts for me..!!!

My pleasure and feel free to drop by, I'd be happy to do it for you...just be sure to bring a few pints of proper bitter...oh and couple bacon sandwiches and HP sauce if you arrive in the morning!:cheers:

 

[harry d]

My pleasure and feel free to drop by, I'd be happy to do it for you...just be sure to bring a few pints of proper bitter...oh and couple bacon sandwiches and HP sauce if you arrive in the morning!:cheers:

That sounds good, in fact I just got into work might just go and have some bacon sarnies now with brown sauce...!!! Minus the bitter I think..!!!! cherrsagai

 

[captain_anonymous_2003]

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the offer, love the way you said "if you want a hand doing this" - problem is I don't do DIY, not in my house not on my car...!! There is no way I would even attempt to do this kind of job, wish I knew how to or had more of an interest on that side of things could save myself a few pounds.

Cheers :cheers:
H

lol it is not difficult to do just awkward. If you're going to mess about with the waterpump then do the thermostat as well, but this really needs the top cover to come off to give you better access. Personally I would leave this alone unless the water pump has a lot of play in it. I personally wouldn't replace both tensioners, it's easy to get access to the A/C tensioner so you can do that any time you like. The alternator tensioner is a pain to get to. You need to take off the power steering pump. If you've not done so yet it's a good time to check your power steering pipework and replace the power steering fluid and any pipework at the same time.

Doing this kind of job isn't difficult and I really don't have an issue helping you out here, it would save you a lot of money. If you do waterpump thermo and these tensioners belts you're clocking up £1ks worth or work! Like I said it's up to you and I have done all this work before on my own car anyway.

Offers there, let me know.

Cheers

Craig

 

[harry d]

Thanks, I might get a local specialist to at least diagnose what is required firstly and then can post their results here and see what is urgent etc.

Blimey I thought a couple of belt changes would be plain sailing, I remember the good old days - cheap parts, cheap labour and XR3i's...!!! Life was alot simpler in those days :3:.