Whining Noise
 

This is my second post and I'm looking to get some opinions. My X started to make this whining noise a few month ago and has gotten worse with the cold weather. Noise sounds just like this car here - BMW 325i whining noise HELP! - YouTube It pretty embarrassing and something starts whistling very loudly.

I know its the tensioner pulley or idler pulley or both but I'm going to change both anyways. Here is my question. Should I change the alternator while I'm changing the tensioner and idler pulley? It seems to be doing its job and haven't had a problem with the battery but I'm pretty sure its the original one and there is always the possibility that the bearing on the alternator are going as well.

I don't want to leave it and then have to go back and replace it later :swear: but at the same time I don't want to pay for a new one lol.

So the question is should I leave it or change it while I'm doing the other stuff ? Also has anyone gotten a reman. alt off eBay and if so are they any good ?

My E46 had a whining noise sometimes, divorced my first wife and it went away! :rofl:

Good one. :thumbup:

Bazinga! I was thinking of a witty reply like that too, but my one and only wife is watching me type so I can't do that (ooow!). :rofl:

OP: Just do the tensioner and idler pulleys. Change the Alternator when it fails. Little known tip, make sure you put the belt on the same way it came off. Don't reverse the rotation. They don't like that (for some magical reason).

If the alternator is doing it's job there is no need to change it. I would swap the tensioner and idler pulley and if the noise remains, replace the alternator.

If there is a problem with the alternator you should be able to spin it manually and hear if there is. Same with everything that runs off the belts. I wouldn't replace the alternator unless I knew it was failing.

Is the power steering topped off?

Power steering is topped off. The noise first started when I washed my engine. I'm 99.9% sure it's the pulleys. Could be the alternator but I would have to manually spin it to confirm as bcredliner suggested.

I forgot to mention that I chased a noise like this for a while, changing out all the tensioners and idlers. Turned out to be the belt itself. New belt, no noise.

:thumbup: :bustingup