OK, Looks like the fun is already starting.:( About mid day all of a sudden out of no where a noise started . It sounds like it is coming from the front of the motor like the accessory area. Its got kinda like a squeaky noise to it and then it turns into kinda like a pulley knocking noise. Funny thing is after we let the car sit for an hour and went out to check it out again, it would not do it, sat there after multiple cranks and revs and purred like a kitten. Later got in and drove it home and noticed it making noise when we got near the house. Started it up 10 mins later in Garage and sound was still there. I'm usually really good at diagnosing a car even tho I'm not a mechanic in any kink of way, but this has me stumped. I have a couple of ideas but would like to hear what you all say first.

Check your belts maybee? From bentley repair manual:

Poly-ribbed belts, checking and replacing (M60 and M70 engine):

The automatic-tensioning poly-ribbed belt(s) should be inspected during regular maintenance intervals. Inspect the belt with the engine off. Twist the belt to inspect it's sidewalls and bottom. Belt structural damage, galzed or shiny contant surfaces, cracking or oil contamination are all reasons to replace a belt.

belt tensioner? the bearings in them are known to fail and make noices

belt tensioner? the bearings in them are known to fail and make noices

Accessory belt right? Plz don't say timing belt LOL

I would say the pulley tensioners as well. If it is them you will end up like this (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1141978) and soon. Unlike spacers please follow the good advice in that thread. You don't have a timing belt.

I would say the pulley tensioners as well. If it is them you will end up like this (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1141978) and soon. Unlike spacers please follow the good advice in that thread. You don't have a timing belt.

Or like this.... been there done that:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/250Freerider/1103081958-01.jpg

I found out the hard way... going 130km/h on the highway - loosing belts isn't cool...

Accessory belt right? Plz don't say timing belt LOL
it's not like on the old 928

Or like this.... been there done that:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/250Freerider/1103081958-01.jpg

I found out the hard way... going 130km/h on the highway - loosing belts isn't cool...

sometimes it's not just the belt that you'll lose that way

This noise only happens about a third of the time that the car is on??? The rest of the time it purs. could the tensioner pulley only act up now and then?

This noise only happens about a third of the time that the car is on??? The rest of the time it purs. could the tensioner pulley only act up now and then?nothing on the 8 just go'es away.it just gets more expensive.id guess tensioner pulleys also,there really isnt enough room to check them without removing the fan shroud/coolant resevoir.those pulleys do exactly what you are describing,come and go,squeak sometimes and then go away.order wuffers,great quality.or order oe,but dont think you can keep driving till it breaks,it could be ugly$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.could also be a bearing in the alternator/water pump.if you have had a chance to drive the car at least once,savor that feeling and welcome to exotic cars which by the looks of your garage cash will be no problem.:redspot

Car spent a week at the mechanics shop and no matter how many times they test drove it the noise never re-surfaced. I had to pay a partial diagnostic fee 35.00 and pick the car up. I drove it yesterday and it never made a sound. Gotta go out of town today so I can't try it today( don't want it to act up out of town and end up leaving me stranded) (plus I wanted to drive the NSX today anywayLOL ).

Why didn't you just replace the pullies & belts? I don't get it! Why waste time at the mechanic's, why do nothing? Your problem will not go away, it will only get wor$e.

Changing belts & pullies is inexpensive & easy. Having a pully fail and rip thru your engine bay will co$t you big buck$ in damage.

Cheers

Why didn't you just replace the pullies & belts? I don't get it! Why waste time at the mechanic's, why do nothing? Your problem will not go away, it will only get wor.

Changing belts & pullies is inexpensive & easy. Having a pully fail and rip thru your engine bay will co you big buck$ in damage.

Cheers

Why fix something thats not broke? Why I should just go ahead and rebuild the motor and trans while I'm at it huh? LOL


I'm not in the habit of buying parts until I have confirmed what it is. Its really not that big of deal, I'm driving the car right now and when it acts up I am gonna just run it by, they will diagnose on the spot, prolly confirm tensioner pulleys, and life will go on as we know it.

The noise you hear (heard) is the warning sound. I chose to ignore it the third week I owned my car and it cost me over $700 in just the busted plstic pieces in the engine bay, not to mention the fanblade schrapnel that punctured the hood.
I would also look at the fanclutch - when that thing seizes - WATCH OUT!!

Check the pulley surfaces, if they show signs of belt wear (if you can feel a groove across the surface, or depression where the belt rides) I would replace immediately.

Pulley explosion doesn't just happen slowly - you will have little additional warning, since you have probably been warned already.....

You have a lot of nice cars and now you have an E31 which has it's own particular set of idiosynchrasies unlike any other. In every instance thus far you have asked questions and been given not opinions, but real information from very experienced owners and you choose to do it your own way. None of us want to say 'I told you so' retroactively. Given your stable of cars getting off cheap with maintenance isn't an issue, so just do it for insurance. I'd be willing to bet we wouldn't get pix of major damage done if one of those pulleys lets go or the fan clutch seizes... ego would prevent it.

Hey, I know this one dude who comes into my bar. He's new, so his first beer is on the house. He sucks it down, complains that it ain't a fine ale (or so he thinks), and walks out without any sorta thanks.

Hey, I know this one dude who comes into my bar. He's new, so his first beer is on the house. He sucks it down, complains that it ain't a fine ale (or so he thinks), and walks out without any sorta thanks.

Not exactly sure what you're trying to say here but everyone calm down just a bit sheesh. But excuse me if I don't rush out and buy some parts based off a diagnosis off the internet. It prolly is the pulleys and I was about to order them but just as sure as shit if I do order the parts first, then it will end up being something else, and yes, experience has taught me that. They have not made a peep latley which does have me puzzeled and if they contiunue to not make noise then I will just go ahead and order them. But I was thinking it would make the noise the first or second day I got it back and I would just let the shop hear it and confirm the pulleys.


As far as the whole ego thing, why the attitude? Its not like I am dis-agreeing with anyone here, just making sure it is what it is before I order.

Hey Greg, it's all good bro. We're just trying to help you out empirically that's all.

I highly recommend that you get some of Wuffer/Gerry's pulleys to solve the problem once and for all: http://wuffer.net/_mgxroot/page_phoenix__motorsport.html

The pulleys can and will go 'dormant' soundwise, but they will erupt with little or no warning. It is a good idea to swap 'em for new ones esp. if they are the original ones.

Cheers

UPDATE:
The damn tensioners never did make another peep, but I went ahead and had brand new ones installed with new belts. Can't believe that they made noise 3 days in a row and then quiet for 3 weeks LOL. But whatever, they are new now.

Good man. Insurance is made not to be used..an ounce of prevention is worth......and all that... no 'I told ya so' for you buddy!.....8>)

Why fix something thats not broke? Why I should just go ahead and rebuild the motor and trans while I'm at it huh? LOL.

Because they are considered (atleast to me) maintenance items at evry 30K miles. There are a bunch more items I consider maint. items at every 30K for the 8 series that I do not consider on my other cars. Then again, I am (or used to be) a little anal about my 8s.

YMMV.