Alternator + tensioner noises. Z3 1.9 M44(it was the power steering pump)

[MikeK]

Hi,

Another problem another thread. After replacing my oil filter housing gasket and O-rings, i put everything back together, i replaced my rusted steering radiator loop,
and then refilled liquids and started the car.
A few issues i discovered after this.

1) Coolant leaking from the radiator plastic drain plug (i think). I will try to tighten it and try again.
Also radiator related problem, i drained a lot of coolant and i filled up, i was expecting the engine to run the pump and free up space for more but it didint.
Maybe because it didnt reach high temperatures because i ran it for 2minuted because of my other problems.

2) Grinding metalic noise from engine but most probably accssories. I think it may be the alternator bearing, i hit it with a soft hammer a few times to get it in place but it is old and it seems possible that it broke. Also may be the tensioner bearing/pulley thing that i am not sure how to remove without removing the steering pump bracket.
The noise gets worse with acceleration, i didnt move the car but i pressed the gas and it goes with the rpms if that makes sense. At first i thought the engine didnt have enough oil because i had just replaced it but it has a bit more than maximum that i may also need to drain a bit.

3) Hoses from steering fluid reservoir to cooling loop need replacing or i need to find a sealant that works better. But i dont think the noise is comming from a dry steering pump. Although the steering wheel makes noises when turning probably because i havent bled the system.

My solution i have thought so far is:

1) check drain plug on radiator and replace it.
2) lubricate alternator bearing and tensioner pulley see of this changes the noise. tensioner pulley is 50£ alternator 230£
3) increase torque? i only torqued alternator screws to 30Nm, a bit low but shouldnt cause such noise i think.
4) maybe replace hoses from steering reservoir to cooling loop. DCompared to my damages so far this is cheap cheap.

I will try and post a video of the sound.

I really appreciate any help or suggestion.

 

[t-tony]

Hi,

Another problem another thread. After replacing my oil filter housing gasket and O-rings, i put everything back together, i replaced my rusted steering radiator loop,
and then refilled liquids and started the car.
A few issues i discovered after this.

1) Coolant leaking from the radiator plastic drain plug (i think). I will try to tighten it and try again.
Also radiator related problem, i drained a lot of coolant and i filled up, i was expecting the engine to run the pump and free up space for more but it didint.
Maybe because it didnt reach high temperatures because i ran it for 2minuted because of my other problems.

2) Grinding metalic noise from engine but most probably accssories. I think it may be the alternator bearing, i hit it with a soft hammer a few times to get it in place but it is old and it seems possible that it broke. Also may be the tensioner bearing/pulley thing that i am not sure how to remove without removing the steering pump bracket.
The noise gets worse with acceleration, i didnt move the car but i pressed the gas and it goes with the rpms if that makes sense. At first i thought the engine didnt have enough oil because i had just replaced it but it has a bit more than maximum that i may also need to drain a bit.

3) Hoses from steering fluid reservoir to cooling loop need replacing or i need to find a sealant that works better. But i dont think the noise is comming from a dry steering pump. Although the steering wheel makes noises when turning probably because i havent bled the system.

My solution i have thought so far is:

1) check drain plug on radiator and replace it.
2) lubricate alternator bearing and tensioner pulley see of this changes the noise. tensioner pulley is 50£ alternator 230£
3) increase torque? i only torqued alternator screws to 30Nm, a bit low but shouldnt cause such noise i think.
4) maybe replace hoses from steering reservoir to cooling loop. DCompared to my damages so far this is cheap cheap.

I will try and post a video of the sound.

I really appreciate any help or suggestion.

Slip the drive belt off and run the engine. If there's no noise it has to be something on the belt's drive train. Spin each bearing by hand and see if you can locate the noise like that.

Tony.

 

[MikeK]

Slip the drive belt off and run the engine. If there's no noise it has to be something on the belt's drive train. Spin each bearing by hand and see if you can locate the noise like that.

Tony.

Will the engine even start without the belt? And without the belt driving the water pump wont it overheat?

 

[t-tony]

Yes it will start, the charging light will remain on though. It won’t overheat just to run it for a few seconds to see if the noise has gone. In fact having removed the belt you can spin the alternator and other pulleys and you may locate the issue before even starting the engine.

Tony.

 

[MikeK]

I wont be able to dissaseble things to remove the belt until laer this week.
I have uploaded two videos in case anyone has heard this noise before. At least if we are 90% sure what it is i can order parts and have the car running this weekend.

 

[t-tony]

That sounds to me awfully like the starter motor is staying engaged. Does the key spring back when you release it when starting? Try starting the car and manually turn the key back slightly and see what happens.

Tony.

 

[MikeK]

I tried this. Engine turns on almost immediately key doesn't really spring back. Noise remains. Turning back the key after turning on the engine either does nothing or just switches off engine.

Edit: Listening to starter motor issues on youtube it sounds very similar. Weird though because i didnt touch it. I only took the alternator and battery off. Car is low on steering oil and coolant but this shouldnt cause noises especially when standing doing nothing.

 

[JimS]

How about water pump being air locked and not pumping fluid if bearings are getting worn?

 

[MikeK]

How about water pump being air locked and not pumping fluid if bearings are getting worn?

Temperature is not going up too quickly and fluid does move a little bit in the radiator. May be an airlock but I would expect higher temps in that case. The more I look at it the more it does look like a starter motor issue. Which is weird because I didn't even go near it.
I will take the belt off and if the noise remains it's the starter motor if it goes away it's one of the bearings, either water pump, tensioner pulley or alternator. Will post an update once I test it.

 

[MikeK]

So i did some testing today after work.
I took the belt off and run the engine. Noise gone.
So probably starter is fine?

Then reinstalled the belt and noise came back.
But the bearings on the tensioner and alternator feel fine.
The power steering pump is out of liquid but i dont know whether that matters.

Any help from anyone who has more experience listening to those sounds please i really appreciate it.
I am just hoping i dont need a new alternator, they are expensive.

 

[mwpe]

Be very careful with the radiator drain plug, they get brittle with age and shear easily.

 

[t-tony]

Get some power steering oil and fill the system before anything else. You need to fill the reservoir and run the engine (with all belts on) while working the steering from full lock to full lock several times. If the fluid gets really frothy switch off and let it stand for a while. You would soon discover if this is where the noise is coming from.

Tony.

 

[MikeK]

Get some power steering oil and fill the system before anything else. You need to fill the reservoir and run the engine (with all belts on) while working the steering from full lock to full lock several times. If the fluid gets really frothy switch off and let it stand for a while. You would soon discover if this is where the noise is coming from.

Tony.

But could it be that? I am pretty sure the steering fluid has all leaked out at this point but I didn't fix it because I couldn't imagine that sound coming from there.

 

[t-tony]

I didn’t realise you had no oil in the pump, yes it could be that.

Tony.

 

[MikeK]

I didn’t realise you had no oil in the pump, yes it could be that.

Tony.

I am stupid I will do that then! Thanks!!!

 

[t-tony]

No, you are not stupid. I only know because I was a mechanic for many years. All part of the learning process.

Tony.

 

[MikeK]

Update (final I hope). Fixed the power steering loop lines by cutting the damaged end. They are a bit short now but they fit and so far no leaks. Turned the steering wheel to get the pump to pump the hydraulic fluid and all fine no more noises.

Thanks for all the help!!!

 

[t-tony]

Great news Mike.

Tony.