Pulleys replacement (accessories, a/c and idler)
 

Hi all,
Recently, upon cold start, I noticed a slight squeaking noise in the engine bay. It settled down after about 1 minute, but the next time I used the vehicle (several days later) it seemed to be a bit louder and took longer to go away. These symptoms started about 6 weeks ago as a slight squeak, but more recently (yesterday) has become louder and continues now for a while (3 minutes or longer) before disappearing. I don't drive the X5 daily (once a week at the most) and this all started after I last serviced it and de-greased the engine with a spray pack and hosed it off. I assume it's one of the pulleys - a/c tensioner, accessories tensioner or idler. I won't know which one it is until I take everything apart and since the vehicle is 11 years old, I thought it may be time to replace all 3, along with fitting new belts while I'm in there.
I'm looking for a heads-up from anyone who's done this: hints, part numbers etc. 2006 N-62 with 149,000 kms on the clock.
Should I be addressing anything else while I have things apart, like maybe the water pump? The only component that's been replaced (to the best of my knowledge) is the alternator - everything else is original, so I believe.
I had planned to use my much loved X5 to visit family this week in the city (900 km round trip) but am apprehensive now, not knowing if this could result in me becoming stranded on the side of the road and I must travel in some remote areas with no mobile phone reception :bawling:... advice readily accepted and appreciated.

I was able to pin point the location of the same kind of noise on mine with an automotive stethoscope. It allows you to get very close and directional so you can isolate the source.

Very good advice. I'll definitely invest in one this week to see if I can isolate which pulley is the culprit.

Do I need to remove the thermo-fan and/or drop the belly-pan to access the pulleys - looks very tight in there...
Can anyone give me a bit of guidance, as I don't have a local 'indy' to help, so must attack this job myself. TIA.

Drop the belly pan so that way you will have access top and bottom to find the one(s) that are the issue. Personally I would replace them all and install new belts as they have serviced their useful service life

Thanks for the advice StephenVA - given the extremely tight working area, I figured the only way to attack the job was from underneath....

I've ordered all 3 OEM pulleys along with new belts from BMA in the states (much cheaper than prices here in Aus). Can I re-use the belly pan bolts or are these a 'one time' use item?

Reuse of the pan bolts is the subject of major debate on these boards and others. You can reuse them, but the book says not to. Suggest you get the Bentley manual as there are very specific tightening procedures for these bolts.

Also, it's not really necessary to remove the pan to do the work, only the plastic shield between the bumper and pan. Removing the pan doesn't actually give you any more access.

I've had the belly pan off my x5 8 or 9 times and re-use the bolts each time. these are not under severe duty or torque load, I cannot imagine why they would fail? they are no different from any other skid pad bolt....

The skid plate is a stressed part of the lower sub-frame..... It helps the sub-frame resist twisting. Kinda like a diagonal brace in the wall framing in a house.

The bolts are under considerable load, hence their class and torque.

Driving without this plate secured could result in cracked welds in the tubular sub-frame.

But yeah, I've re-used the bolts too... :dunno:

The plastic front facing underbody pan located under the engine needs to be removed to access the belt drive. No need to remove the metal pan with the bolts that is being discussed above that is located further back under the transfer case.