[EV86]

Hi all...My 2016 M-Sport with 68K miles is making a rubbing sound that I thought was my water pump until I learned that we have electric water pumps. Should I just have pulleys, belt, and tensioner replaced for piece of mind? Are the pulleys and or tensioner a common failure part. Both of my E60s never had to replace. Looking for your opinions and thanks in advance!!

[Hoa]

You might have to pull the belt and spin the pulleys to see if they are making noises or have any resistance. I recommend doing belt, pulleys and tensioner all at once to save future hassle of doing the same job again for another related component. It’s a fairly easy job. Do pull the fan out for clearance.

[EV86]

Thanks for the advice Hoa! Any recommendations on where to buy these parts? Thanks!

[ctcarbonari]

www.fcpeuro.com
Lifetime replacement guarantee.

FWIW, I picked up an OE Accessory Drive Belt Kit (Belt, Tensioner, Pulley, Bolt) recently and plan on doing this replacement @ ~75k miles as preventative maintenance on my 15' 535i.
I'll be installing an aftermarket crank seal guard (purchased from ECSTuning.com) at same time as well.

Aside from damage to belt due to unattended OFHG leaks, I think the more common wear is excessive wobble in the tensioner. You're on point for replacing these items as PM in the70-80k mile range.

As for the sound of your "rubbing", that one is a bit tough to determine without being able to lay eyes and ears on it. Maybe your pulley isn't spinning freely or belt not seated 100% properly. I would think that you'd hear more of a "squeaking" sound.

The accessory belt may not even be the source of your rubbing sound at all. I dunno. But changing it out is relatively simple and you'd know for sure if it was the cause or not.

Check out aftermarket crank seal guards for the N55 engine (and unattended OFHG leaks). If you plan on keeping your Bimmer for the distant future I'd recommend installing one, if only for peace of mind in the future.

[Hoa]

FCP Euro if you think you will keep the car and have to replace it again. They are not always the cheapest but does offer a “lifetime replacement”. You basically have to purchase another one from them and then send old one back for store credit. They no longer refund back yo your original payment method.

BMWpartsworldwide seem to be the cheapest for most parts

[EV86]

Thank you guys! Appreciate your input greatly! I purchased the kit from FCP Euro and just received the other day. I'm going to look into the crank seal guard also!
I will be keeping this car a few more years...I do love it!
Thanks again!

[SWFLf10]

Originally Posted by EV86

Thank you guys! Appreciate your input greatly! I purchased the kit from FCP Euro and just received the other day. I'm going to look into the crank seal guard also!
I will be keeping this car a few more years...I do love it!
Thanks again!

Take your time and take pictures of where the idler pulley bolts to. Try to enjoy the experience!

First time swapping that out on an N55 for a friend I didn’t take photos and realized when I was going back together with it that there were a couple spots where it could bolt to.

[EV86]

Good advice! Thanks!