FEAR OF THE WORST

[bdriven]

Hi guys,
about a week ago, a very dim noise started, kinda like a bearing starting to go bad, and this morning it got worse, like bearings grinding! I removed both belts, and found that a bearing of a tensioner pulley was bad, luckly I had a couple of new ones. replaced it. STILL got the Noise.

So, I then again removed the belts, and turned the ignition ON, still getting that loud noise !!! so my guess is, it's an internal issue, since there are no belts....right????

Thanks!!!

[Bulk]

If it is making the noise without the belts on then you have narrowed it to the engine itself. First thing put the belts back on. Especially your alternator belt if you want to keep troubleshooting.

Can you get us some sound clips?

[fmugur]

It looks like you have the 4.4L. Does it sound like the chain guides? That's common on high mileage on these v8s.

[bdriven]

..thank you guys....for some reason, I can not upload the sound file.....

[HPIA4v2]

How old is the water-pump? I got "scretching" noise during start-up only and it was the WP on the way out.

[bdriven]

water pump is relatively new, and you do feel a little bit of play at the pulley, but with the car on, and belts off I still get the noise, and the WP is not turning.

[fmugur]

Originally Posted by bdriven

..thank you guys....for some reason, I can not upload the sound file.....

Upload it to youtube and paste a link in here.

[bdriven]

bmw 4.4i - YouTube


here's the link for how awful it sounds....

[SlickGT1]

Sounds like tractor, and yes it does sound like the chain is flapping around. I bet if you rev it slightly, it gets marginally better. Don't do it though, chain might slip, not sure about this, maybe the chain tensioners are compensating. Most likely your guides fell apart. They are plastic, and are known to fail.

[fmugur]

+1