M42 squeal

[pogiE30]

UPDATE: VIDEO Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57hksngj2FM

Started last Sunday, a bad high pitch squeal came up on start up then went away,and got louder when I revved. Comes up mostly when I'm in first gear, sometimes at idle and when I downshift. I opened the hood and it sound like it was coming from the water pump/front of engine. Do my symptoms sound like a bad water pump/fan clutch, timing belt tensioner, or clutch release bearing? If its a bad fan clutch or water pump I was thinking of doing thermostat and belts while I'm at it. Anything else you guys recommend? Thanks in advance.

[ScHpAnKy]

squeal? sure it's not a loose belt? The alternator setup makes it easy to have belt stretch with a fresh belt after a couple months

[pogiE30]

squeal? sure it's not a loose belt? The alternator setup makes it easy to have belt stretch with a fresh belt after a couple months

Yeah, squeal. Like a high pitched squeaking noise.

Yeah i'll check it out tomorrow if it doesn't rain. Haven't had much time to look into it because of work and school. I'll probably record a video of it too when I have time.

[steel330i]

check your belts and all tensioners, i'm having a similar issue with my 91 318i and its all belt related...GL keep us posted...

[Ryann]

I say remove one accessory belt at a time and run the engine briefly between removals to identify the problem belt/accessory.

[Dj Buttchug]

its the belts. they always do this

[AndrewBird]

If not the belts, possible worn alternator bushings. But that is more of a continuous squeaking rather then a squealing.

[ck_taft325is]

Starter shims?

[pogiE30]

Thanks for the replies, I'll give you guys an update once I look into it more. Keeping my fingers crossed its nothing too costly.

[pogiE30]

Posted a video of it in my first post. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

[Vtec?lol]

that's most def the belts. Can't be anything else. go get a bar of soap and rub it on the belts. sound goes away, then tighten and rinse clean.

[pogiE30]

that's most def the belts. Can't be anything else. go get a bar of soap and rub it on the belts. sound goes away, then tighten and rinse clean.

Awesome i'll try that out tomorrow when theres light and i'll let you know how it goes, Do i just rub both sides with soap and run the car? Would I just be better off changing all the belts soon?

[Vtec?lol]

you could just change the belts. Damn sure don't wanna risk breaking one and being stuck with the option of $200 tow or dive home and risk overheating

[AndrewBird]

Sounds more to me like alternator or waterpump bushings. It's kind of hard to tell though without being there. Change/tighten the belts and if it doesn't go away, then you know it's bushings.

[rightcoastbias]

its the belts. they always do this

The adjuster teeth on the M42's alternator bracket strip easily. Then the belt does not go into proper tension, glazes and begins to squeal. This can be exacerbated by a dying water pump.

I had the same sound you recorded. Replacing the belt made it go away for a week, but the sound came back. Now I am looking for a replacement M42 alternator bracket and a new water pump.

Subscribed to find out how you fix it.