E46: squeaking VANOS?

[weekndmech]

Hi all, my first post!

Developed a squeaking noise from VANOS, I scoured internets for an hour, nothing.
It's either a "rattle" from VANOS, or a squeak from various "pulleys", but not squeaking VANOS.

What do you think? It sounds like a bearing about to fail.

Thanks guys.

P.S. Finding my around still, thanks for the note, dworthy...used a prybar to locate the squeak, phone pressed against the handle.

https://youtu.be/DHVv3J6Gdmc

[dworthy]

Welcome to the Forum!

So how were you able to tell it was squeaking from the VANOS? What did you use to find this out? Perhaps you can replicate it and post a clip so we can hear the squeak.

[weekndmech]

I used a pry-bar as a makeshift stethoscope to try and pinpoint the sound; in the video I pressed the phone against the handle.
Thanks!

[weekndmech]

Hey guys, I’m the op, the case of squealing VANOS.

Thanks dworthy, here is the video. https://youtu.be/DHVv3J6Gdmc


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[weekndmech]

"From OP:"
Hi all, my first post!

Developed a squeaking noise from VANOS, I scoured internets for an hour, nothing.
It's either a "rattle" from VANOS, or a squeak from various "pulleys", but not squeaking VANOS.

What do you think? It sounds like a bearing about to fail.

Thanks guys.

P.S. Used a pry-bar to locate noise, pressed the phone against its handle. Thanks dworthy!

[weekndmech]

Hi, OP again.

Anyway, a first timer here, sorry if there are reposts.

I used a pry-bar to locate the “chirping” location, as seen on video. Then I pressed the microphone against the prybar handle to capture the sound. Timing sprockets or chain going bad? What do you guys think?

Thanks!

[shogun]

wait till you have 10 posts a bit after posting, up to 10 posts a moderator has to manually approve posts and then they are shown, spam-o-matic forum software protection.
You can delete your double posts DIY

[weekndmech]

wait till you have 10 posts a bit after posting, up to 10 posts a moderator has to manually approve posts and then they are shown, spam-o-matic forum software protection.
You can delete your double posts DIY

Deleted double posts, thanks for the tip!

[dworthy]

All I can hear is normal valve train noise from the video.

[weekndmech]

Maybe I'm paranoid, but seems there is new sound, rotating rubbing kind.
I think I'll replace water pump and pulleys, it's time for it anyways. Thanks.

[SloopJohnB]

All I can hear is normal valve train noise from the video.

I'd watchful waiting and see if it gets worse.

[weekndmech]

Here's another take.

[dworthy]

Okay, now I hear a bearing going bad noise. So this is what you need to do:

1) Remove each belt and spin the idle pulley wheels, and both tension wheels. Attempt to wiggle each one to ensure they are on tight, and the bearing isn't loose.
2) Start the motor with the belts off. You will be okay for a minute or two and do this with the motor cold/warm not hot.
3) Listen for the same sounds, if they go away then you found that it is either the belts or the bearings.
4) Inspect the belts, for they shouldn't be any cracks, do this by fliping them around and checking the ribs.

All said and done, if you don't find the noise we will have to explore other parts.

[weekndmech]

I removed both belts, the noise is still there

[weekndmech]

Well, after recruiting a fresh set of ears, missus says no noise, so it must be true.
I know the alternator is fresh, so water pump, belts and tension pulleys gotta go.

[dworthy]

So something else to consider it seems.

Also if the car is below 65 ish degrees, the cold start system will run. This is the air pump on the r/s of the car, and it will be on for 60-90 seconds so make sure that it isn't what you are hearing.

[weekndmech]

With all the help, I identified two sources of noise, produced by 1) a serpentine belt tensioner and 2) a more subtle source, which I can only guess at the origins of.

It came from the VANOS cover (timing belt / sprockets?), chirp heard via a makeshift stethoscope. So I changed oil as one of the measures to be rid of it. It took a while, but that chirp seems gone now.

I had 10w40 Mobil 1 prior for few thousand miles, and was uneasy about it, my hope was to reduce oil consumption. I later found out that CCV lower hose was disconnected, possibly leading to that problem, but I digress.

The new oil is regular 0w40 M1, took a couple of drives, but I think the noise is gone.
Strange?

[dworthy]

Not strange, as you were using heavier oil than recommended. I like the Mobil-1 0W-40, as it is a good winter oil. Now if you are still using oil, I would look at getting a new CCV, and as you live in the cold weather area, see attached.