Belt/ Pully noise

[AspenSpencer]

I have a 2002 330i and noticed a faint noise coming from my fan belt or pully set. It is a chirping/ squeel that only is noticed when the car is in gear at idle. It is only noticed if you are outside the car (can't hear it inside the car unless the window is down and there is no other noise present). In park, it does not make any noise and when it is in gear, the noise goes away after 800 rpm's. The situation does not change when switching the a/c off or on (a/c compresser) and it doesn't change when turning the steering wheel (power steering). I assume it might be a bearing, but I dread the thoughts of replacing something expensive over a very slight squeak that occurs only at idle in gear. Any ideas what to expect or has anyone experienced this?
Thanks.

 

[jrt67ss350]

It could be an alternator belt tensioner/idler pulley bearing, but it could also just be a worn out belt.

I'd start with the belt.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Whatever it is, I'd get it to the dealer before my warranty were up... (My 325i used to squeal and chirp on startup all the time)

 

[Zchild]

I've been there, done that... Mine started out as chirping that I could only hear outside the vehicle and graduated to persistent squealing in about a week. The bearings in the pully's went bad on one of my pully's therefore I had them replaced all of them at the same time. It cost just at $400.00 dollars in parts and labor. Happy Motoring... [driving2]

 

[geneo]

dealer has a bulliten to replace mechanical belt tensoiner with a hydrolic one go see if this applys to your vehicle

 

[pjolani]

I have the same problem

I have had the same chirping problems with my 2001 330ci. It only happens when the car warms up and it is relatively warm outside. Then you hear it mostly when stopped with window down just by giving it some gas. when the rpm goes bellow 800 is stops. I changed all the belts and it still does that.

Any idea where i can find the pulley recall??

Thx,
[bmwkick]