Squeaking sound from the fan/belt area

RX5 · #1 05-17-2008, 11:24 AM

Hi guys! I started a thread about this before and I have tried using WD-40 but the sound didn't go away. My problem is after I start the engine after a cold start, in about 3 seconds after the engine is running, a high pitched squeaking sound appears somewhere in the fan/belt area. You can only hear the sound for 4-5 seconds and will go away. When you stop the engine and start again, the sound won't come out anymore. You can hear it again after the engine rested for around 8 hours. So I brought the car in the dealership and complained about this. After 2 days they said they cannot find where it is coming from and the computer is not sending any fault code. They said they checked the belt tensioner, hoses, etc. They told me to wait until the problem gets worst and become diagnosable but but that sound is making me frustrated everyday. Can someone here who is mechanically inclined here in the forum share your thoughts about this? Thanks in advance for your help.

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youry · #2 05-17-2008, 11:58 AM

I'd start removing the AC belt. If the noise is gone then it's the AC belt or the AC pulley. If not, then it is either the alternator belt or the accesory belt tensioner.

RX5 · #3 05-17-2008, 12:08 PM

Hi youry, how come the sound only comes out once after a cold start and just a few seconds? It is really weird.The dealer said they checked the belt tensioners.

primetime · #4 05-17-2008, 01:50 PM

I had the same exact problem and it eventually got worse to where you could hear it more often..check the idle tensionor pulley...Its one of those tensioners...cost me like 250 to get fixed at the shop...

RX5 · #5 05-17-2008, 02:00 PM

Hi primetime! If its the idle tensioner pulley, what's causing the squeaking sound? Does it need lubrication only? What did they do to fix it and how come the dealer said no fault signal coming from the computer? Thanks!

primetime · #6 05-17-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX5

Hi primetime! If its the idle tensioner pulley, what's causing the squeaking sound? Does it need lubrication only? What did they do to fix it and how come the dealer said no fault signal coming from the computer? Thanks!

Yeah the computer is not gonna pick it up...Mine didn't get picked up by the computer either..Most likely it needs to be replaced..Lubricaton won't solve it completely...this is not a major concern though..You can drive fine with it like that for months and months..but it will eventually get worse and worse and you'll hear the noise more often and eventually during idle all the time...Its annoying and embarassing so I got mine replaced....This won't cost you that much, so I'd probably get it checked out at a good independant mechanic shop that is adept at working on BMW's or German made vehicles..Don't take it to just any shop though...your X5 is not a Honda civic....Sometimes the dealer is not always the best place..good luck !!

RX5 · #7 05-17-2008, 02:12 PM

Yeah it is annoying and embarrasing. Did you buy the idle tensioner pulley yourself or the indie shop has it? I really don't have an idea how it looks like, can I buy it online too? Can it be replaced within 1 day?

primetime · #8 05-17-2008, 02:14 PM

I had the shop order the part and replace it too. It takes hardly any time at all to do it.. Its a simple fix. they diagnosed it, and replaced it within 3 hours...But be sure you have the shop check it out first.. It may be a different tensionor or pulley. Either way its a quick fix for them...I think the actual labor is only like 1 hour on the job...the noise sounds serious..but its actually not, its just embarassing...