boltoa

After 30,000 miles of ownership, and 140,000 miles total on the car, looks like I've got my first major problem with my 530d. Drove 30 miles this morning, parked up to drop kids off, came back to no power steering and IDrive "charging failure", then a nasty burning rubber smell. AA man confirmed the front pulley was not turning correctly (the belt/tensioner looked fine). Towed to main dealer (solid bar flat tow - it was that or wait 2 hours for a flatbed. Was fun with no power steering . May have time to look today, otherwise tomorrow.

Anyone experienced this? Or know how much it's likely to cost (labour time)? They'll call me with quote when looked at, but it would be nice to prepare myself (sitting down, large brandy in hand, probably). It looks like the pulley is just about accessible, but there isn't exactly a lot of room between the front of the engine and the rad. Be nice not to have a huge bill in xmas-pressie-buying-month .

Thanks.

boltoa

I'll reply to my own post, for anyone who searches in future.

Apparently the vibration damper has gone. I didn't know what this actually meant, but I've since googled that this is (basically) a rubber sandwich between the end of the crankshaft and the pulley, and damps resonant vibration in the crankshaft. Parts are going to be ?310+tax, plus a couple of hours labour. ?586 is the all-in quote. Which isn't nice, but could have been worse.

benstone

I had the exact same problem with my 320d. Basically the belt that drives the alternator as well as the power steering goes around it, so if your vibration damper goes, so does your power steering as well as your battery life (since it can no longer charge itself). Here in South Africa it cost me the equivalent of $550-00 to replace, and the fun part was that it happened to me when my maintenance plan just expired!

Someone told me it is a common problem on most BMW's and that you should have it checked regularly. It also sometimes gives you fair warning (the steering makes a funny screeching noise when turned hard left or right).

boltoa

I have to say I had zero warning of this happening on mine. I'd driven 30 miles that morning with no problems or strange noises.

The dealer did say he'd seen a few, but he said usually the pulley goes wonky and the whole belt is thrown.

I don't know if it's even checkable - it either works or it doesn't, as far as I can tell.

At least I'm not alone. Thanks .

delwarulislam

I had the exact same problem today BMW tech came down and said one of the tensioner is gone and then took my car away in a flat bed after 40minutes of rain and misery. Luckily when they took my car away I got a replacement 5series from the BMW Emergency Service.
I just bloody hope my warranty covers the repairs.