Awful whine coming from the engine bay.

[Jordan]

Maybe yours is a lil tight?

Is there such a thing as having the timing belt too tight?? I did make sure mine was very snug.

[Brian 89 325i]

Yeah i think so, when i had mine done i was too tight and made a sound like it was rubbing on somthing. Backing off the tensioner made it go away.

Brian

[bmwguru007]

The only other thing I can think of right now is the tensioner, but I'm sure you replaced it when you put the engine back together. Either way you're getting to the point where you need to assume every part could be causing the problem, including the new ones.

[bmwguru007]

You don't have to do anything except release the tensioner onto the belt and tighten the bolts. The spring puts the correct amount of tension on the belt. If you somehow tightened it further I could see that causing your problem.

[Jordan]

you need to assume every part could be causing the problem, including the new ones.

This is my exact mindset on just about everything on this car, its 1 big unknown.

[Jordan]

You don't have to do anything except release the tensioner onto the belt and tighten the bolts. The spring puts the correct amount of tension on the belt. If you somehow tightened it further I could see that causing your problem.

Yeah um... yeah... I pryed it nice and tight with a big flathead.. maybe i should loosen it then? haha

[Brian 89 325i]

I pryed it nice and tight with a big flathead

Parinoid Jordan?

Brian

[Jordan]

Timing belts are evil, we all know this....

[bmwguru007]

yeah definently loosen it and you probably should consider getting a new belt since they are only designed to be tensioned once.

[Jordan]

Nah, the belt is brand new. I'm not worried about it. I have several friends that have reused 1000mile + belts and now have over 20k on them, they are no worse for the wear.

[e30Matt]

My 318iS makes a noise very similar to that, but no timing belt. It's had an updated tensioner installed, maybe it's guide wear? I know the chain is fairly young, considering the motor is a '93 M42 w/only 20k miles. Any suggestions as to what could cause this on my motor?

[Jordan]

I took the timing belt and tentioner off, looked them over. Both seemed to be in fine working order (they are new) The tentioner had some rubber residue on it, i rubbed it off. Put it all back together, with the tentioner only tentioned with the spring. started the car back up.... still making the noise.

I'm getting really frustrated lol. I CANNOT pinpoint where it is coming from with the engine running, it is simply too loud, and the whine is too quiet. When the engine starts is when it is the loudest, but I havent had much luck finding it then either.

On a side note, the engine is definately running rich, which is no doubt why it is stumbling and hesitating so damn much. You can just smell the gas small pouring out of the exhuast.

[Spaz]

I took the timing belt and tentioner off, looked them over. Both seemed to be in fine working order (they are new) The tentioner had some rubber residue on it, i rubbed it off. Put it all back together, with the tentioner only tentioned with the spring. started the car back up.... still making the noise.

I'm getting really frustrated lol. I CANNOT pinpoint where it is coming from with the engine running, it is simply too loud, and the whine is too quiet. When the engine starts is when it is the loudest, but I havent had much luck finding it then either.

On a side note, the engine is definately running rich, which is no doubt why it is stumbling and hesitating so damn much. You can just smell the gas small pouring out of the exhuast.

but we know this is the cause of a bad afm correct?

i am was discussing this with co-workers, and we were leaning towards it being a timming belt being to tight or a bad tenisor, but that is now elimiated, i still think it could be a vacuum leak if you have a cracked hose(i assume you replaced them all) or possbly a bad intake boot? take some carb cleaner and spray like hell, over intake areas, see if the idle increases.

i'll be on aim

[RedBaron86325]

Try using a stethoscope to isolate the area that the noise is comming from. Try a normal stethoscope and also one with a nail in the end (metal to metal). Currently, it could be any item which is spinning with the motor rpm. Without at least isolating the general area of the noise, diagnosis is in vain.

Sounds like a gear drive timing setup (which is kind of cool).

[Jordan]

After talking to Spaz on AIM a bit, and going out and testing various crap.. I've decided that the intial noise as the engine starts is the starter. If I hold the key to start after the engine is already started enough, the noise will continue to no end... and as soon as i release the key it stops. Seems that the starter just isnt disengaging fast enough.

As for the whine while moving, I've pointed a finger at the transmission and diff. I'm fairly sure the diff has enough fluid in it, but I know the transmission had lost a good deal of fluid while it was being stored in various places/positions during the 2 years out of the car.