E30 Zone

just been driving my car today and noticed a rattling/knocking noise coming from the engine. Pulled over to look and it seemed to come from the front of the engine, sounded a bit like a loose pulley or something that has come loose.

The sounds more apparent at idle but as you drive the sound is constantly there and still audible. It didnt seem to be related to engine speed just a constant sound.

The car still drives like it drove before and no loss of power. Any ideas??

Cheers

could be anything mate, loose belt?

what engine is it?

Does it happen when cold or warmed up?

right guys, took the car out today, got up the road and it started squealing as in a loose belt squealing noise, so i thought ok, thats what the noise is and also the handbrake and battery warning light came up so i thought the alternator belt must be loose.

I Pull up to the junction and notice steam/smoke coming out from beneath the car, pop the bonnet to see coolant pissing out front front of engine. On closer inspection i noticed the viscous fan not working and coolant coming out of the water pump/pulley.

Am i right in thinking that the water pump impellor has broken up? therefore the fan not working and the alternator not running? the belt is fine.

Oh and cars a m20 2.0, cheers

Water pump bearings by the sound of it! New pump, cambelt and idler required. Two - three hour job.

is it not possible just to change the waterpump? on the service book the cambelt was changed not so long ago, Ive recently bought the car

You could just change the pump but you'll need to remove the belt and tensioner to do it. It's recommended that you renew the belt and tensioner every time the tension is slackened off.

For the sake of £8 for a belt and £15 for a tensioner it's worth renewing them to avoid a potential buggered engine.

Cheers,

Iain T

ok, how hard is the timing belt to do? is there a write up for the timing belt? i dont want to potentially screw the car up if i dont replace it right.

Cheers guys!!

If the tensioner is new, then you can reuse that, but it would be best to renew the belt.