Pulley noise

[mckenzig]

Recently I fitted a new timming chain to my 1986 900i auto, and from the area of the multi grooved from pulley there was a squelling noise. I removed the belts, but noise remained. Then removed the pulley and very quickly tried the motor once more, and no noise. put the pulley back, noise returned. Pulley removed, no noise.
I am puzzled and any thoughts as to the reason would be appreciated.

[JohnJardine]

Sounds like harmonic balancer pulley might be bad. You don't want it to fail real damage will happen. They are a pain to get off. Had same problem on our 198 900s 8 valve. Had to cut down a socket to fit.

[mckenzig]

I placed the pulley in the vice and dropped a couple of bolts in the holes. Then got a bar and tried to get some movement, there was none. I presumed the set up was OK

[JohnJardine]

Check power steering pump fuid level, water pump and altenator bushings. They can cause squelling. Double belt must be same size and age.

[euromobile900]

But he says that the noise remains even with no belts! So it could not be any peripheral belt-driven components. I doubt it has anything to do with the pulley.

Are your cam sprockets properly attached to the camshafts (keyed)? How is the chain tensioner?

I strongly advise against ever running the engine with the crank pulley removed. The chain tension is my best guess for a suspect.