320d pulley.

[L~C~G]

Hey guys.

Recently I have noticed a slight vibration from the motor on my e46 F/L 320d during idling when cold and occasionally at traffic lights when she is warm.

Also if I load the motor on an uphill in 5th gear and come off the power there is a metallic rattle sound. Like a pulley vibrating.

I suspect the crank dampener pulley but it is fairly intermittent at the moment and rather difficult to diagnose. Is there any way of telling for certain if this is the offending part?

I have a two year aftermarket warranty on the car that will replace it if the part fails but im concerned about the possible additional damage from the pulley failing.

I would like to replace it as a preventative maintenance thing but I doubt the policy would entertain that idea.

I drove to Umhlanga with the car two weeks ago +-1100kms and it started when I arrived in umhlanga.

I am going to central Drakensburg next weekend which is another 800kms round trip and heading to The Eastern Free state early in march which is another 700kms.

What would you do?

Is there any mechanic on this forum or that you guys know of in JHB would would be able to put this repair through SA Warrantied Bumper 2 Bumper cover if it is the pulley. I also have a Motor Mend Auto Aid top up that covers up to R11000 for any mechanical repairs that are not covered by the Sa Warranties one.

I have spent a fortune on this car over the last few months and really don't want to face R4k bill to replace this thing.

 

[rash777]

Hey man, speak to Logasen from Technospec BMW 0118353350 or 0834495401. I know they do work with SA waranties.... His work is excellent.... Hope you come right...

 

[Moe_Box 1]

Take it to an AUTO CARE or ECAR dealer,reputable and guaranteed workmanship

 

[L~C~G]

I did not get a chance to have this replaced last week and had to drive to the Drakensburg with the car. About 100kms into my journey the aircon stopped working.

When I got to my destination I wanted to see if the solenoid on the aircon pump was pulling in or not.

When I opened the bonnet I discovered the aircon belt lying on the engine cover plates.

The belt had no signs of damage or wear so im pretty sure the aircon pump did not seize. I suspect that the pulley becomes unstable at higher revs and started to wobble and threw the belt.

The pulley does seem to wobble a bit at idle. It should be going in this week to swap the pulley.

BMW just quoted me R4571.65 for the part only, which has to be replaced often because of a badly flawed design!

 

[Quick///M]

My girlfriend has endless pulley problems with her 320d

 

[L~C~G]

So I have been driving the car for a little while now with this pulley giving notice.

It has taken some time to get everything approved with the aftermarket warranty. They have agreed to pay the full R5500 for the job.

My mechanic has also been pretty busy so i was only able to get the car in this morning. It has recently developed a "bearing squeak" type of sound and I thought the vibration had taken out either my alternator or steering pump bearings.

As it turns out, neither was the case. The sound was actually coming from the belt running on the shaft where the pulley used to be. How was this car still running and how the hell did the belt stay in place while the pulley decided to fall completely off the shaft! :thumbdo:

Pics to follow!

 

[L~C~G]

The aircon belt has been off for a while now. That is what made me suspect the pulley.

 

[Twinz]

Its happened on my 120d as well (twice). Broken pulleys seem to happen often on these cars...or maybe it was just mine :thumbs:

 

[L~C~G]

Its happened on my 120d as well (twice). Broken pulleys seem to happen often on these cars...or maybe it was just mine :thumbs:

It is a common fault. It just grates me that BMW charges R4500 for a part that is badly designed and fails very often.

Goldwagen had one for around R2800 but if the genuine part fails after 40000kms in a lot of instances what chance does the grey market on have.

Goldwagen is also disgusting when it comes to warranty claims so I would rather not give them any business.

 

[Twinz]

Ya, the price is crazy :bangdesk:

 

[Hellas]

Glad the pulley didn't take out your radiator and fan.

You should be good to go for a while again. Good thing about the insurance.

 

[L~C~G]

Glad the pulley didn't take out your radiator and fan.

You should be good to go for a while again. Good thing about the insurance.

My main concern was that it would shatter and cause lots of damage but I got really lucky. I really could use some luck right now so this was a nice start to the day.

I was concerned about that insurance because there are many mixed reviews about it so I really expected sh1t from them. The plan I chose cost me about R8.5k so one more repair like this and it will be well worth what I paid.