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Thread: E34M50 making an awful sound

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Atlanta
    Posts
    52

    Default E34M50 making an awful sound

    My 91 is making an awful sound on start up. I can't determine if it's the water pump or just the accessory belt. After the car warms up, I don't hear it except when I stop at a traffic light, and then it's just a little chirping sound.

    Coolant level is OK. And the temp gauge is right at 12:00 after warmup.

    I replaced the thermostat a few months ago and noted the sound. At the time, I thought I splashed some coolant onto the belt/pulley...OR...the water pump was cavitating. But it went away after bleeding the radiator.

    Any ideas out there?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Orlando, FL (Gainesville)
    Posts
    613

    Default

    i have that same sound if let it sit for more then a day...I think its water pump related...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Sedro-Woolley, WA USA
    Posts
    216

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by semiretired
    My 91 is making an awful sound on start up. I can't determine if it's the water pump or just the accessory belt. After the car warms up, I don't hear it except when I stop at a traffic light, and then it's just a little chirping sound.

    Coolant level is OK. And the temp gauge is right at 12:00 after warmup.

    I replaced the thermostat a few months ago and noted the sound. At the time, I thought I splashed some coolant onto the belt/pulley...OR...the water pump was cavitating. But it went away after bleeding the radiator.

    Any ideas out there?
    My 95 has the same squall on start up, mostly on colder mornings- I think I have it narrowed down to the tensioner pully- I put a stethoscope on the water pump housing, and the sound isnt coming from there.

    I agree, its a nasty sound.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario
    Posts
    2,538

    Default

    Agree.

    My 91 M50 has the same squeel at the tensioner pulley. Spray a bit of WD40 on each side of the pulley (with the engine running if you dare) and see if it goes away. If not, try a few more accessory pulley bearings. I found mine in 5 minutes this way.

    Dave M

    10/90 Build 525im, 630,000+km, Eibach/Sachs, Engine Rebuild
    *RIP Oskar the DOG *

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Atlanta
    Posts
    52

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave M
    Agree.

    My 91 M50 has the same squeel at the tensioner pulley. Spray a bit of WD40 on each side of the pulley (with the engine running if you dare) and see if it goes away. If not, try a few more accessory pulley bearings. I found mine in 5 minutes this way.

    Dave M
    Thanks! I'll try that tonight.

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