Is there a Cricket in my engine bay! squeaky pulley

Is there a Cricket in my engine bay!
BMW 330i 2006 E90, Squeaky pulley

After Driving my car for a few years, I started noticing a cricket noise every once in a while, I figured it came from the belt, but I couldn't figure out where exactly, I think I figured it out, I think I found the cricket.

The noise comes from this pulley in the middle of the picture.

Cricket Noise comes from Belt Pulley 

If you look closely you can see the pulley is off to the side a bit.  The belt will come off at some point, I need to replace it before this happens.

 Stay tuned for an update to this post.

If you need to get a pulley, here is a link:

Chime speaker broken, (Fix)

Chime Speaker Broken (Fix)

After driving my car for a few years I noticed that the chime speaker sounds bad.  I found that super glue will do the trick, it's fast and easy, and I rather fix it, better than buying a new speaker, which is expensive I might add.

Center Logic 7 speaker, ( Chime Speaker )

I found that the problem is that the cone separates from the ring.  

Super Glue to the rescue, simply apply a small amount of glue all the way around, let it dry under the sun for about 30 minutes, and that's it.  The speaker is working normal again.

You can see the glue want to drip, just add a little bit.

I am no expert, I just figured why not fix it, save some money.

This is the super glue I used, in case you are wondering:

Loctite Super Glue, I got it at Walmart.

More pictures of the speaker in case you were wondering what it looked like:

After I removed the trim.

 Tip to remove the trim:  Press with your finger in the very front(drive side) of the trim, press firmly until you see the edge of the trim, and then using a small flat screw drive slowly work your way around the trim, it just snaps off.  Take your time, I broke mine rushing, just take your time, it snaps off.

Thanks, I hope this helps you.

If you want to order the super glue online, here is an Amazon link:

VANOS service, with instructions, pictures and Video

Vanos Routine Maintenance

Code P0012

How and when to do Vanos Maintenance.  I typically perform this routine maintenance every 6 months.  Why? because sometimes little particles get stuck in the Vanos, and they prevent the Vanos from moving in or out freely.  This sometimes gives you a code of  P0012 or P1519. I have found that simply cleaning the Vanos will fix this code, and or prevents it.  Model year 2006 E90 BMW 330i, 

If you don't change the oil regularly on the car, little particles break off the oil filter, and they get stuck on the solenoid, thus giving you the "malfunctioning" Vanos, but really all you need is to clean it.  If you ever changed the oil filter on a BMW you know that sometimes the oil filter deteriorates under normal use and small particles separate from the oil filter, I believe it's the glue that holds the filter to the plastic housing... just my opinion, but I personally believe this is what makes the vanos fail, and of course "old" oil or a "foreign" particle will do the same.  

I was told by a BMW service guy, that some BMW owners, prefer to change the oil on their cars every 6,000 miles or 6 months instead of the 12-17,000 miles recommended by the in car computer, because they want to maintain their engine in top shape.  I personally prefer doing it every 6,000 miles to prevent the Vanos from sticking.  I am no expert, just my personal preference, I've changed the oil in my car before, after only 6,000 miles it looks pretty bad, so I speak from personal experience.  

Vanos:  BMW 330i 2006

AMAZON link at the bottom if you need to get a Vanos valve

How to clean it:

Vanos Cleaning using Air gun

 How to remove the Vanos:

Note: There are 2 Vanos, side by side, one unplugged here. I removed the bolt, located in the top right of the picture. 

 I was told that both Vanos are exactly the same, I like to keep them in the same location when I remove them to do maintenance, just to be safe.

As you begin to pull the vanos out it will have some resistance, pull it straight out.  You may need a small flat screw driver to start it.

Don't forget the O-Ring it gets stuck inside sometimes

After Vanos removed, picture of inside the cylinder.

 Close up of Vanos

Note the Plastic O-Ring and the Hard Plastic Ring.

Bentley Publishers: 

Note: Caution: A Small amount of silicone introduced into VANOS actuator or solenoid can set faults.

 Intake (top) / Exhaust (Bottom) Vanos Solenoid

Intake (top) / Exhaust (Bottom) Vanos Solenoid

Not the exact one as my car, but you get the idea.  

 Special thanks to Bently Publishers, for the pictures.

 I hope this helps someone, good luck.

Side note: always change the oil filter with Original BMW oil filter, they do hold up better under normal use, and always use Synthetic oil.

BentleyPublishers.com :  BMW 3 Series Service Manual

If this was helpful to you consider donating

paypal.me/MSauceda1

Brake Light Bulb Replacement, E90

Brake Light Replacement Bulb

BMW 330I, 2006 E90

So I finally got a burnt out light bulb in my BMW 330i.  I decided to go to Auto zone to find a light bulb this was the bulb they gave me, it fit like a globe and I haven't had any trouble at all.

Bulb 7606 type

In case you are wondering it was the back tail light. There are 3 lights 2 of these and 1 smaller one.  Per side.  These are the brake lights.

Upgrade to LED, I am going to get these for my car soon.

Regular or LED links below, Amazon:

Phone Holder 3 Series E90

Phone Holder 3 Series E9X
Bavarian AutoSport Part # B5100001  $ 29.95

As many E90 owner might know, there is no place to put your phone.

So I've been looking for a phone holder for my car.  But I didn't want to get one of those holder that you stick to your window.  I usually use my phone to play music through the Aux line.  I think most people do, that is if you don't have an Ipod or USB integration, which my car doesn't have by the way.  So I came across this phone holder by Bavarian Autosports.  I have to say it's perfect for my phone, I like that it swivels. and it's just about the right size to hold my phone.  Best part is that it comes off very easily.

Here a few pictures.

Manual for Phone Holder

Let me know what you think.

In case you were wondering this is the place to get it:

Part # B5100001
http://www.bavauto.com/