Can anyone help ?

[Neet]

Hi everyone,
I have z3 1999 1.8
Love her to bits and have owned her for 6 years without a problem
... Now she squeals
After I have driven 20ish miles and take my foot off the accelerator she squeals really loudly.
All the belts have been changed but that hasn't fixed the problem!
Any ideas please my mechanic is baffled ...
In wet conditions she makes no noise.
Hope someone out there has a solution please.
Cheers
Neet

 

[bessieblue]

could be water pump or fan belt

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome Neet,

Where is the squeal coming from, assuming from under the bonnet? Doesn't squeal at another time, just on lifting off the throttle? Does it happen when the engine is idling?

Cheers, Gary

 

[Aceman]

Difficult one without hearing it first hand and if your mechanic is baffled then could prove difficult to trace. Ad mentioned above water pumps are a known weak point as they are on most other cars but also check belt idler wheels these are often overlooked when changing the belts and will squeel quite loudly if the bearing is on its way out.

 

[stevie_a]

but also check belt idler wheels these are often overlooked when changing the belts and will squeel quite loudly if the bearing is on its way out.

x2

Had to change mine on my E46

 

[motco]

The lack of noise in wet conditions is a clue. If it were the alternator (fan) belt it *might* be silent in high humidity. A new belt could be a worthwhile purchase.

 

[GazHyde]

Just got this update through via email, so said I would post it in the thread

Thanks everyone !
Brilliant response ...
Overcharged the idler tension wheel but they wouldn't listen to me... Will try that thanks again.
Also water pump again great idea that hopefully will work.
All the belts have been changed as I say but all of your fab ideas will be passed on to my mechanic and I will keep you posted !
Neet

 

[motco]

I have only just read the OP post carefully enough to realise that it's a trailing throttle phenomenon. The main difference under the bonnet between on-the power and off is the large rise in manifold vacuum on a closed throttle. Maybe it's a leak in the inlet manifold between the throttle body and the cylinder head. Why wet weather would affect this I cannot imagine though.

 

[zedonist]

x2

Had to change mine on my E46

IMHO, I would agree either belt tensioners or alternator bearings, the squeal comes after twenty miles because the dry bearings have expanded with heat, and then bind and drag on overrun, but rotate under engine load, had this many times on previous cars, in wet weather they are getting some lubrication, so do not squeal.

Hope it this simple for you

Rich

 

[Neet]

Thanks again everyone!

Rich thank you I have purchased idler wheel as you suggest as you seem to have experienced the same problem..
Will let you know the outcome when my mechanic gets around to fixing for me ..!
What a fab site this is
Neet

 

[Neet]

Well not the idler wheel :-(
Mechanic 'thinks' gear box ?!
Could that be right guys ?
I have no problems with gears and why would damp weather stop squealing from a gear box ?
..... Help

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

You don't say where the squeal is coming from, is coming front the front or back of the engine, or behind the driver. if it's from the back of the engine, it might be from the clutch release bearing or the fly wheel spigot. which has been both been known to make a squealing noise when load is taken from them, but very rarely. If it's from the front of engine, my favourite would be the alternator, which could be dry or worn bearings. The water pump could also be the culprit when the bearings are worn, but usually shows signs of leaking well beforehand.
Good luck, Oh and by the way, welcome to Zorg too.
Mike & Sandy

 

[Neet]

Hi Mike and Sandy and thanks for replying...
It's really difficult to pin point just where the squeal is coming from
When other cars pass me it changes sound ... Really stumped and it's ruining my drive.
I obviously will have to take her back to the garage and I will pass on your suggestions ... Many thanks !!
I just don't want to buy lots of parts that don't solve the problem.
Will keep you posted on this ongoing saga.
Cheers both
Neet

 

[zedonist]

Hi Neet, sorry that the simple solution did not work, Do you feel any judder or drag on the clutch when pulling away or changing gear? I agree you do not want to keep spending money on fixes that don't work, it is hard to diagnose a noise on the forum, If the Garage is one you have always used and trust, i would give them the work, i am very interested to know what it is when it is finally sorted, and i know how demoralising it is to have a car that is not 100%, so chin up, Dunkirk spirit and all, the solution will be just around the corner.

 

[bessieblue]

Hi Neet i think you need to get it onto a rolling road in a garage, then maybe you can here were its coming from, have yoy checked the wheel bearings ?

 

[ge45ton]

It's fairly unlikely but it may be worth just checking the power steering fluid level, I had an odd squeal from mine for a while...

 

[Neet]

Morning All
As promised an update and resolution to my problem.
After trying almost everything I had to take her to a specialist BMW garage....
Solution : viscous fan coupling!
Not too expensive and a fairly common complaint with Z3's ?!
Thanks again to everyone who helped out!
Happy quiet motororing .... Bliss!
Neet x

 

[zedonist]

Glad you got it sorted, and not to costly