engine bay squeeeek?
 

This morning when i was warming up the car...heard a squeeking sound coming from the engine bay. Its a 2003 4.6.

I looked under the hood and looks like its coming from the driver side cylinder bank...I'm waiting for the weather to warm up abit before i take a closer look...but anyone have tips on what could be causing this squeek?

Belts were replaced 4000miles ago. Could it be the tensioner that's gone bad?

Thanks
Franklin
(cant wait to try out my new bentley manual)

Try spraying a dab of lubricant (WD40) on your belts.

i sprayed some wd40 on the belt initially and the sound went away.
the sound came back later...i then focused on the alternator pulley and the noise went away....but returned again.

Could the alternator be going out? or just the pulley? or the belts?

thanks
franklin

Could be the bearing going out on the water pump or alternator. Mine squeaked before they died.

bah...them water cooled alternators are pricey!!!

thanks
franklin

Describe the noise a little more...and does it go away once the car is warm? Is it worse with the fan on? check out your idle tensioner pulley...

its louder when i initially start the car. when it warms up, it quitens down but the noise is still there.

its a squeek sound...(in a circular motion) squeek-pause-squeek-pause (with the motion of the engine idling, as i rev up, squeeks quicker)

I posted a vid in this thread. See if its the same noise.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...omes-back.html

here's a couple quick videos...not sure which is better...you can hear it in the background.

YouTube - 2003 X5 engine squeek 2

YouTube - 2003 X5 engine squeek 1

thanks
franklin

idler pulley will squeak (didn't listen to your vids though). Cheap and easy to replace. If it is the tensioner pulley, you can usually get those separately too. Don't have to buy the whole tensioner assembly.

i have the tensioner pulley on order...will try that first.

thanks
franklin

well...car finally died today...took it to my mechanic and they said the alternator seized up. I have to say this is the most expensive alternator i've ever purchased...wow.
I guess no more engine squeeks now.