E46 330D - Something Broke.

[haXor]

Howzit guys.

Hot day as it is today in PTA. Was driving around and suddenly the battery/alternator light comes on and I smell something like burning, then I lose power steering completely.

I pulled over, switched off all electrical things(aircon, radio etc) then switch oFF the engine.

Open bonnet to investigate but cant see any obvious signs of smoke or damage.

Start the car again, Alternator light is off, and I turn things on ONE by ONE.

Radio = ALL OK.
Turn the Wheel = Power steering is back, but not fully.
AIRCON = Batt/Alt Light comes back on and smell starts again - PowerSteering is lost again.

Sounds like a pump thats linked to both the AirCON & Power Steering Pump, but not too sure..

Any ideas what could be the problem??

330D : E46 2005 : 128000KM

 

[sherwinZ]

Not the drive belt snapped ?

 

[moranor@axis]

you something ate your belt... you have to get the car towed because you will have no water going to the engine...

 

[ClassicB]

Sounds like a snapped fan belt or pulley. Happened to me in my ex-E46.

 

[Rommies]

yeah seems like the drive belt or something

 

[moranor@axis]

sorry only read half before posting... seems you belt is slipping... get the car to a workshop right away as the water pump is on the same belt...

 

[DeoJor]

:sorry: hope you get it sorted soon

 

[Kish2604]

its the crank damper thats given up the ghost... its now slipping within its rubber housing and thats causing the intermittent loss of drive to the water pump, alternator and power steering pump...

the damper is a common issue on the diesals, be prepared to pay R4500 from agents for the part or R2500 for a pirate from goldwagon... :thumbdo:

please get your car home or to your mech slowly with as little electrical/aircon load as possible, keep the revs low and avoid boosting it.. repair immediately or face further major engine damage...

sorry for the bad news..

 

[haXor]

Thanks for your quick responses.

So Checked the Belts = All intact. All there.

Switched on Engine(No Aircon) = Belt turns.

Aircon ON = Belt is slipping not moving, sometimes jerky. EEEEFFFF!!!!
(could it be off the rails?? or the pulleys moved??)

Immediately switched Engine OFF..



Besides BMWStealers, anyone know who can sort this out for me without breaking the bank around PTA/Centurion...

---

Hadnt seen your reply Kish.

thanks for that. sounds spot on. am now shopping around.

 

[Philip Foglar]

I would look at the crank damper and go from there. Maybe even the hydraulic belt tensioner has failed??

 

[Coisman]

Thanks for your quick responses.

So Checked the Belts = All intact. All there.

Switched on Engine(No Aircon) = Belt turns.

Aircon ON = Belt is slipping not moving, sometimes jerky. EEEEFFFF!!!!
(could it be off the rails?? or the pulleys moved??)

Immediately switched Engine OFF..



Besides BMWStealers, anyone know who can sort this out for me without breaking the bank around PTA/Centurion...

---

Hadnt seen your reply Kish.

thanks for that. sounds spot on. am now shopping around.

---

Call Willem/Jaco 012 751-7243
Tell them Francois Spietkop refered you. :thumb:
They got 2 workshops, one in Waterkloof area, and one in Villieria area, close to my home. :thumb:

 

[Kish2604]

Give coismans buddy a call and let him have a peek, also found a damper pulley on gumtree for R1250 which is an awesome price... If it is the fault nd I am sure it is you can get time freight to collect and deliver it up to you for about 250 bucks..

The link...

http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree...rts-BMW-330d-Damper-Pulley-W0QQAdIdZ380575817

 

[Twinz]

Sooner or later the damper goes. Our diesels vibrate too much during its life span :=):

 

[haXor]

Update.

Needed the car fixed by tomorrow, so quickly went to GW and bought the part. R2650.

Got quotes from my reputable BM mechanics, including Coismans recommends. Cheapest quote I got was R400. Highest received was R1250. BMW wanted R8400 for the part and fitment :roflol:

Thanks to the guys at DAS auto in Pretoria West. They are the kind of mechanics who love to show you exactly what they are doing and explain why they are doing it. I had the car towed to them via my insurance. Was not taking chances.

Photo of the bad pulley. Hope the image loads. The centre was rotating fully on its own. The rubber was destroyed. Job took less than 2hrs to complete.

 

[Kish2604]

Great to know the car is back on the road... Decent pricing as well considering the time frame you had it done in..:thumbs:

 

[moranor@axis]

well theres your problem :rollsmile:

 

[haXor]

Its happened again. :argh: lol.

Mileage this time 172'000KMS.

The last vibration damper / pulley lasted 44'000KM - which is low, but okay! Twas a goldwagen part so... The previous damper lasted 128'000 kms(from new).

Anyway, was thinking to try DIY this time round.

Anyone done it? Any pointers?

 

[Peter@AEW]

Its happened again. :argh: lol.

Mileage this time 172'000KMS.

The last vibration damper / pulley lasted 44'000KM - which is low, but okay! Twas a goldwagen part so... The previous damper lasted 128'000 kms(from new).

Anyway, was thinking to try DIY this time round.

Anyone done it? Any pointers?

My first pointer is to buy from agents
My second pointer is that unless you have the tools do not try.....
Big socket
Powerbar
Torque wrench
Tool to lock the flywheel.
As well as a comprehensive vocabulary of four letter words

 

[SandmanEnters]

Its happened again. :argh: lol.

Mileage this time 172'000KMS.

The last vibration damper / pulley lasted 44'000KM - which is low, but okay! Twas a goldwagen part so... The previous damper lasted 128'000 kms(from new).

Anyway, was thinking to try DIY this time round.

Anyone done it? Any pointers?

My first pointer is to buy from agents
My second pointer is that unless you have the tools do not try.....
Big socket
Powerbar
Torque wrench
Tool to lock the flywheel.
As well as a comprehensive vocabulary of four letter words

"As well as a comprehensive vocabulary of four letter words" :roflol:

Sorry to hear about your troubles bud. I don't have any tips for you - I've not had this one yet. But knowing Zooey, it's right around the corner. She always thinking of new ways to cost me money:hammerhead:

Good Luck and PM me if you need a good BMW mechanic - I know a guy. Wink wink.
No but really, he only uses OEM parts and he really knows his BMW's.
Cheers

 

[Andy1GP]

Do it as a 2 man job. That way you can remove it and fit the new one in one go without having to entirely remove the serpentine belt (which has a very complex routing if you don't know it)

Luckily the diesels have 4 torx bolts (and not a humungous one requiring the hulk for removal) I can't recall but I think it's an E12 socket.

All you need to do is:

1. remove the viscous fan, 2 32 spanners or 1 spanner + hammer and a lot of luck and power.

2. E12 the 4 torx bolts - on the autos use a long flat screwdriver or similar tool to lock the flywheel through the gearbox inspection hole. This is where the 2nd person comes in handy. It's not that hard, and not all if any covers need to be removed for the entire job.

3. Remove the 15kg item with a friend lying underneath, positioning the new one in place and fitting the belts on as they were.

4. use loctite on the bolts or the dampener may very well vibrate loose.

If all goes well you should be done in 2 hours.