2014 X1 35i. Right around 50K miles.
A year ago, the oil filter housing unit sprung a leak and I had the whole thing repaired, including the oil pan gasket, which apparently was also leaking. While there, we chose to replace the drive belt and pulleys + a couple other small things I can't remember. Cost was over $2k and I got a 2 year, 24 month warranty on the parts and labor.
2 months later, I started hearing a squeak, which I related to the belt and pulleys. The shop "fixed" it under the warranty and it was quiet again for another couple of months. Then it came back intermittently. I chose to ignore it...what's a little squeak?
Fast forward to 10 days ago. We are 200 miles from home on vacation and the drive belt "slips off" starting it up one morning. Didn't break or shred. Slipped off. Had to go through the warranty program to get the car towed to a shop 25 miles away, where they put a new belt on and proclaimed the car good as new. This was a indy shop that didn't specialize in BMW's. All appeared good.
2 days later, the squeak returned. I'm convinced its a pulley on one of the accessory units and again, not overly concerned as it goes away after an extended warmup period. Yesterday, the power steering unit blows and starts spraying fluid everywhere...leaving me stranded AGAIN.
I have to deal with the warranty people again and I'm sure they will claim the power steering unit failure has nothing to do with the drive belt being replaced twice. What do you think?
Other questions:
1. Is the power steering unit shot? Or do we just fix the leaks and replace the pulley? Can the pulley be replaced?
2. If the PS unit needs to be replaced, should I think about getting anything else done while the engine is apart?
Thank you!