bobn4burton
08-25-2009, 07:57 AM
New to the forums...!
So I have a kind of chirp/squeal coming from the alternator area when my X3 is at idle. It goes away when rpm's hit 1k and above. It also gets worse when the A/C is turned on...although its still there when A/C is off.
I've also tried to squirt water onto the belt (alternator and P/S) belt when running and the noise goes away immediately for about 30 seconds and then comes back.
From this...I've decided that I either need a new belt or possible tensioner. I'm not sure if I have the hydraulic or mechanical tensioner.
My question is...how difficult of a task are each of the following scenario's?
1. Just need new belt...how hard is it to change? Should be easy, but it seems pretty dang tight in there...
2. Need new tensioner. If existing is mechanical, should I just replace with another mechanical? How difficult is replacing the tensioner?
3. Need new tensioner. If existing is mechanical, should I convert to hydraulic tensioner? How hard is this conversion?
I have been quoted about 160-180 to replace both belts and about 380 to do the hydraulic tensioner conversion. I'm not a mechanical pro...but do the basic/intermediate stuff (replace brake pads/tie rods/etc).
Thanks for any help/advice!!
So I have a kind of chirp/squeal coming from the alternator area when my X3 is at idle. It goes away when rpm's hit 1k and above. It also gets worse when the A/C is turned on...although its still there when A/C is off.
I've also tried to squirt water onto the belt (alternator and P/S) belt when running and the noise goes away immediately for about 30 seconds and then comes back.
From this...I've decided that I either need a new belt or possible tensioner. I'm not sure if I have the hydraulic or mechanical tensioner.
My question is...how difficult of a task are each of the following scenario's?
1. Just need new belt...how hard is it to change? Should be easy, but it seems pretty dang tight in there...
2. Need new tensioner. If existing is mechanical, should I just replace with another mechanical? How difficult is replacing the tensioner?
3. Need new tensioner. If existing is mechanical, should I convert to hydraulic tensioner? How hard is this conversion?
I have been quoted about 160-180 to replace both belts and about 380 to do the hydraulic tensioner conversion. I'm not a mechanical pro...but do the basic/intermediate stuff (replace brake pads/tie rods/etc).
Thanks for any help/advice!!
