Actually it may still be your fan belt. Take a look and see if it is cracked in the grooved side. Or if there is any type of fluid on it.
On another note there are 3 pullies that make noise on this car. I have a 01 330i so this had been replace on mine.
1. Deflector pulley. Located next to the alternator
2. Tensioner pulley for water pump/ alternator /power steering... if its mechanical replace the whole unit and not just the pulley
3. Tensioner pulley for A/C
With any pulley replacement it is a good idea to replace the belts as well.
If you can descibe the sound to me mabey i can disgnose it further. Does it sound like a knock, screech, or whine.
the sound is like something (like a rock) fell into a fan that continues to run. it sounds like something is getting knocked around in there - - the knocking and fan sounds get especially loud when the a/c is running.
there are not screeching or whining sounds.. it just sounds like i threw a rock into a fan that continues to run. hahhaa.
as for additional information... i can give you a quick history on my car:
i got in a car accident that crunched my hood in half - - whend the accident happened - my front bumper was crushed - - - - the radiator was destroyed (and replaced) among other things.
also 6 months ago, i had my torque converter replaced - - - - i was warned that the transmission could be damaged - - - but i took my chances and didn't do that -- - i don't have money for a new transmission. (ha ha). there are new fluids of any kind leaking.. but i do smell oil that had burned off - - - -
any other thoughts - - btw - - i really appreciate your quick response on this.
can you hear it from the outside or only the inside? fan speed going up or down make a differance?
BMW Technician
5 years BMW master
sometimes it's loud and sometimes it's not. sometimes i can hear it from inside and outside. and sometimes - - on the outside.
This ones going to be a tough one..... Ok go and make it happen tell me where you can hear it and what settings you were on and so forth. Change the settings and let me know if you hear a diffrance. Listen for the noise carefully and let me know the area that its located. I know you may be able to hear it outside and inside but i need to know this
example
a/c on, foot and face flaps activated, 59 deg, i hear the noise louder outside from the front by the radiator.
most of the time - - i turn on the a/c and then i hear it going crazy - it doesn't matter at what temp the car is in... it doesn't matter if i am driving or if the car is engaged - in drive - or if i just have my foot on the break.
if i am sitting in the driver's seat... the noise is coming from the left (under the hood, of course)...
i have also opened up the hood when i hear the noise. if i am standing in front of the engine, i don't think i have heard it from the the transmission. the noise comes from the driver's side - - on the right side in the middle to top area. the sound does not come from anywhere towards the front (ex: by the xenon lights). also, i have never heard any noise from left of the transmission or by the winder washer fluid container.
ok. thanks. i'll let you know how it goes.