flyromeo3

So, as of lately, ive been trying to diagnose this squeaky noise which seems to only be heard on a cold start or if its raining out.

This past weekend I changed my serp belt thinking it was the belt. The original belt on it looks like it was on ever since the car was manufactured ( currently have 72k miles )

yesterday as I was leaving my house this squeaking noise was loud enough for my neighbor to hear it as I drove away. About 4 or 5 blocks later the noise went away.

Eventually I get to my friends house and i asked him to give me an opinion ( he works as a mechanic at BMW ) of course, at this point we didnt hear the noise.
I waited about 60 minutes to which I then started the car and we heard the noise. It wasnt that loud but, upon turning the A/C on we were then able to hear it. I turned the A/C off and the noise was there but not loud. Which eliminates the compressor as the problem.

I'm leaning towards it being the idler pulley, so I went ahead and ordered the idler and tensioner pulley. So it should take me no more than 20 minutes to install. Hopefully that fixes it.


thanks for reading

LoveMyTL-S

Keeping my fingers crossed for ya......

01tl4tl

on my 01, the ac belt idler pulley started making noise at 45kmiles and finally sounded like a v8 motor at 80- replaced and all was well

I hear its easy to go thru the right fenderwell after inner panel removed- but thats for my year gen3 may differ- see your diy/garage section threads

I paid a shop as trying from the top wasnt leaving much skin on my hand~

flyromeo3

^..would the frame rail be in the way if I use the passenger side fenderwell to remove the tensioner assembly bolt?

i know you have one small bolt below the idler pulley, and the bolt holding the idler pulley also has to come out before the whole assembly comes off.