Belts Squeak
- Thread starter nadroj
- Start date
HAHA!!! [joke] I just completely tore the front acc. off the engine in my 1991 318is to figure out a similar problem. First thing to check is the belt itself. after it is tightened you should be able to push itdown about an inch (measure with 2 rulers, by putting one accross the blet lengthwise and pushing down on the belt using the other ruler while holding it perpindicular to the belt). You may want to check the alternator bushings. They can go out and cause the alternator to sway, thus causing a squealing noise. Mine is a bent-to-hell water pump pulley. Not sure how it happened, but one is being delivered on monday. Try changing out the belt, after pulling the pulleys off and sanding the crap and rust off of them. Also take a look at the Idler pulley (down by the AC compressor). To get the water pump pulley off you will want to take off the radiator (It's very easy. Just three hoses, on electrical connector on the pass. side, and 2 screws on top). This will let you get the fan shroud out of the way so that you can get better access to the fan, fan clutch, and pulley. If you pull off the fan, then you can use a piece of strong rope and tie a prussicks not around the pulley leading to the part that connected the coolant hose to the engine, and torque the nut off with a 32mm wrench (A 3 pound hammer comes in handy here![[;)]](/images/smilies/wink.png "Wink [;)]")
. It also helps if you take out the airbox. After you unscrew the airbox, you have to yank on it to get it unseated from the bushing on the bottom. There are only the 2 nuts on the side of the airbox. To get out the radiator, you have to take off the belts, unscrew the two top screws, drain it (there is a small plastic drain plug on the bottom driver side corner of the radiator)(undo the radiator cap to release the vacuum), and take off the small plastic push achors to get the fan shroud off. There is a list off tools you will probably need to get it done. All in all, it took me about an hour from start to finish to get the radiator, fan shroud, fan, airbox, fan clutch, and pulley off. Have fun. It is a hell of a lot easier then it sounds. If you have any more questions, drop me a line at djcodeine@hotmail.com
P.S. Don't forget that the fan clutch nut is reverse threaded.![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
1. 10mm socket
2. 13mm socket and wrench
3. 19mm socket and wrench
4. 32mm wrench
5. phillips head screwdriver
6. flat head screwdriver
7. dikes (wire cutters) (for the small plastic push anchors)
8. hammer
9. bucket for coolant
10. 5mm(?) allen (for bolts holding on fan)
11. piece of strong rope
. It also helps if you take out the airbox. After you unscrew the airbox, you have to yank on it to get it unseated from the bushing on the bottom. There are only the 2 nuts on the side of the airbox. To get out the radiator, you have to take off the belts, unscrew the two top screws, drain it (there is a small plastic drain plug on the bottom driver side corner of the radiator)(undo the radiator cap to release the vacuum), and take off the small plastic push achors to get the fan shroud off. There is a list off tools you will probably need to get it done. All in all, it took me about an hour from start to finish to get the radiator, fan shroud, fan, airbox, fan clutch, and pulley off. Have fun. It is a hell of a lot easier then it sounds. If you have any more questions, drop me a line at djcodeine@hotmail.comP.S. Don't forget that the fan clutch nut is reverse threaded.
1. 10mm socket
2. 13mm socket and wrench
3. 19mm socket and wrench
4. 32mm wrench
5. phillips head screwdriver
6. flat head screwdriver
7. dikes (wire cutters) (for the small plastic push anchors)
8. hammer
9. bucket for coolant
10. 5mm(?) allen (for bolts holding on fan)
11. piece of strong rope
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You could probably do this with the radiator still in the car. I replaced my fan clutch without taking the radiator or air box out. I just loosened the fan clutch with the big damn 32 mm wrench and pulled the fan/fan clutch assembly out together with the fan shroud. Just be careful to not damage the radiator fins. You probably will need to detach the upper radiator hose to pull the fan out, I was replacing my thermostat anyways. It's a surprisingly easy job even though it looks like there isn't a whole lot of room up there on a 325 (and there isn't). The only problem is the big damn 32 mm wrench - try to find someone to borrow the wrench from because a Craftsman 32 mm wrench costs like $40 (and I will only buy Craftsman tools). The only thing I have to add is that my fan wasn't held onto the clutch with allen socket bolts - I think it just had 10 mm hex heads.
However, you shouldn't need to remove any of these things if you are just replacing the belts. Yeah, it'd be easier without this stuff in the way, but you should be able to just contort yourself around to get the new belts in. My belts squeak when it's damp or cold out too. My belts are stretched to the point that the adjustments are all the way out as far as they will go. I plan on replacing them and changing my oil when I go home over Christmas break here. I'm sick of starting my car in a parking lot and drawing the attention of anyone within the nearest 100 feet with my high pitched squealing car.
However, you shouldn't need to remove any of these things if you are just replacing the belts. Yeah, it'd be easier without this stuff in the way, but you should be able to just contort yourself around to get the new belts in. My belts squeak when it's damp or cold out too. My belts are stretched to the point that the adjustments are all the way out as far as they will go. I plan on replacing them and changing my oil when I go home over Christmas break here.
I'm sick of starting my car in a parking lot and drawing the attention of anyone within the nearest 100 feet with my high pitched squealing car.
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