Remove the fan shroud, then loosen the tensioner and remove the first belt and check for the noise. If you can't get enough access that way then remove the fan. Pretty sure you can do that without removing the fan tho. Don't run it too long cause the water pump isn't working. If the noise is still there then go to the next belt and tensioner for the AC unit. Spin the idler by hand and feel for smoothness, you got this right? If the idler feels smooth check the pulleys for alternator and water pump etc etc.
If the noise remains I would next assume your oil pump bolts are mostly in the bottom of the oil pan. Get a lower pan gasket and get to work, also tighten the chain a bit. This is in no way rocket science and can be done on ramps. Every single V8 I have checked have bolts in the pan. My current 530 only had 2 bolts in the pan but all the rest were loose. I had no noise or issues, it's just a thing I check.
Edit: you can clean and loctite the pump bolts and holes or just tighten them and hope you don't over torque them. I usually do the loctite thing.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Last edited by 632 Regal; 02-18-2020 at 08:48 PM.
95 E34 530I V2.37
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