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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N55 Turbo Engine Tuning and Exhaust Modifications - 335i Tuning > Sound from engine.. Tensioner Pulley?



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      12-11-2017, 07:56 AM   #1
illusiveM3
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Sound from engine.. Tensioner Pulley?

I have recently noticed this new sound/tick from the engine. I have researched sounds that are similar to mine, and I'm hoping its just a tensioner pulley. I am almost at 80,000 miles, so I went ahead and ordered the N55 belt assembly kit from ECS Tuning. All mechanical parts of the serpentine belt and pulleys look to be sound and in good shape. I don't see any worn or torn parts on the belt itself, and none of the pulleys seem to be shaking or rattling. Can anyone help diagnose this issue? I am hoping it's not a rod knock... The sound does go away once the engine is warmed up. Link attached to video below.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kevbekfvj0...Movie.MOV?dl=0

Last edited by illusiveM3; 12-11-2017 at 08:03 AM..
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      12-11-2017, 11:23 AM   #2
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I have had the same noise on my car ever since I bought mine about 8k ago, and from what I've seen seems pretty typically for the n55. When are you putting on the new pulleys? It will be interesting to see if that takes care of the noise.
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      12-11-2017, 12:19 PM   #3
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Should be putting on the new belt and pulleys this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes and see if it fixes the problem.
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      12-11-2017, 12:54 PM   #4
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FYI you do not need to remove the rad fan. I did this yesterday and it took me an hour... was very easy.
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      12-11-2017, 01:18 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwgrenier View Post
FYI you do not need to remove the rad fan. I did this yesterday and it took me an hour... was very easy.
I had heard mixed opinions about removing the fan. I am glad to hear you were able to do it without removing it. I am planning on doing the same as you.
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      12-11-2017, 07:07 PM   #6
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Was the engine hot or cold in the video?
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      12-12-2017, 07:30 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xxMike61 View Post
Was the engine hot or cold in the video?
The video was from a cold start. That is the only time I hear the noise. The sound will go away once the engine is warm.
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      12-13-2017, 10:45 AM   #8
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Mine does that too. Replacing the tensioner/pulleys doesnt make it go away. Replacing the Vanos solenoids helped, but it doesnt completely go away. Unclear if that is coincidence or not.
Same scenario though.... only does it on a cold idle then it goes away. A touch of the throttle also makes it stop. If you shake a vanos solenoid the valve inside it does move back and forth.... so it makes a bit of sense here. Cold oil is thick, it may not flow through the solenoid valve as well as warm oil, which is why warm oil or increased pressure makes the noise stop.
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      12-21-2017, 03:31 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OP3NAIR View Post
Mine does that too. Replacing the tensioner/pulleys doesnt make it go away. Replacing the Vanos solenoids helped, but it doesnt completely go away. Unclear if that is coincidence or not.
Have you made sure it's not your PCV valve?
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      12-21-2017, 06:31 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwgrenier View Post
Have you made sure it's not your PCV valve?
My car makes that noise too now wondering if this means some issues with PCV, can you see if you hear it with oil cap removed.. ?
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      12-22-2017, 10:13 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pladi View Post
can you see if you hear it with oil cap removed.. ?
Yeah remove the oil cap--if the noise goes away might be a PCV problem. But if the squeaking stops after the engine has been running for a bit then it is probably your tensioner or pulleys.
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      12-31-2017, 03:29 AM   #12
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So did putting on the new pulleys help?
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      01-01-2018, 10:30 AM   #13
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wondering too if the belt and pulleys helped ?
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      01-01-2018, 12:59 PM   #14
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Interested as well. Mine makes this exact sound.
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      01-01-2018, 06:37 PM   #15
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Also interested, what's the verdict?
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      01-02-2018, 07:55 AM   #16
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Haven't had a chance to put them on yet. Sorry guys. I have been out of town and am now scheduled to go out of town again for work for 2 weeks. I won't be able to put the new belt kit on until 2 weekends from now. I'm a little anxious to see if this resolves my problem but won't know until then.
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      01-02-2018, 11:43 AM   #17
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Thanks for the update. I look forward to the results.

It was 0 degrees F this morning in KY and mine was parked outside. I noticed that instead of the rhythmic ticking sound that it normally exhibits (as in your video), it was now a constant bearing grind kind of noise which also went away after a few minutes. I suspect that when temps get back to normal, it will revert to the ticking sound. In either case, in the next few days I will break out my stethoscope and try to pinpoint the source of the noise.
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      01-02-2018, 07:25 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DriveBikeRun View Post
Thanks for the update. I look forward to the results.

It was 0 degrees F this morning in KY and mine was parked outside. I noticed that instead of the rhythmic ticking sound that it normally exhibits (as in your video), it was now a constant bearing grind kind of noise which also went away after a few minutes. I suspect that when temps get back to normal, it will revert to the ticking sound. In either case, in the next few days I will break out my stethoscope and try to pinpoint the source of the noise.
cool, now curious to your results sir !
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      02-14-2018, 02:59 PM   #19
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Update!

So I wanted to give you an update. I found a few oil droplets in my garage, so I took the 335i to an indy shop here in town. I had a leak in the oil cooler which was dripping on to the serpentine belt. Luckily, I caught this before the belt shredded.

So he replaced the belt, idler pulley, tensioner pulley using the ECS drive belt assembly kit. I was hoping this would clear the unusual "tick" from my engine bay. However this did not fix it...

The car is still making the ticking sound at cold start and has now started this secondary "screeching" sound which is mimicking a worn serpentine belt sound. However, I know this is not the issue.

Mechanic is unable to diagnose the sound or its origin. He thought it might be the Harmonic Dampener/Balancer, but upon further review, this does not seem to be a symptom of a failing dampener (my own thread search).

I will take a subsequent video and post a link to the current ticking & screeching sounds. Any input would be helpful. Sorry I wasn't able to resolve the issue for others experiencing the same thing
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      02-14-2018, 05:44 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jjaap View Post
So I wanted to give you an update. I found a few oil droplets in my garage, so I took the 335i to an indy shop here in town. I had a leak in the oil cooler which was dripping on to the serpentine belt. Luckily, I caught this before the belt shredded.

So he replaced the belt, idler pulley, tensioner pulley using the ECS drive belt assembly kit. I was hoping this would clear the unusual "tick" from my engine bay. However this did not fix it...

The car is still making the ticking sound at cold start and has now started this secondary "screeching" sound which is mimicking a worn serpentine belt sound. However, I know this is not the issue.

Mechanic is unable to diagnose the sound or its origin. He thought it might be the Harmonic Dampener/Balancer, but upon further review, this does not seem to be a symptom of a failing dampener (my own thread search).

I will take a subsequent video and post a link to the current ticking & screeching sounds. Any input would be helpful. Sorry I wasn't able to resolve the issue for others experiencing the same thing
ok thanks for the udaate i was looking fw to your reply.

So i have the same noise at start but not screeching sounds. For that see if the screeching stops if you lift the oil fill cap. When you do the motor will stumble a bit but its ok. If the noise stops it might be an issue with the PCV/front main seal having higher pressure than normal. Do a PCV test.
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      02-14-2018, 06:21 PM   #21
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Here’s a link to the video showing a cold start and the two noises. The second screeching noise starts about 1:01

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bmx8sj8qtj...Noise.MOV?dl=0

Last edited by illusiveM3; 02-14-2018 at 06:22 PM.. Reason: Forgot link
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      02-15-2018, 05:51 PM   #22
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Man i can tell you with 100 % certainty that both noises you are hearing are normal And my car has those both. The second one that comes from the alternator always comes ON then OFF later i think its part of the alternator charging circuit. I did not hear any screeching sounds like how you described. The first sound is you vanos. If you open the oil fill cap it sounds so much worse. Apparently completely normal.. Even on new N55.. i dont hear anything that sounds like an issue.. only saw the vid to 1:03
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