Member
So....I looked through the diy section and didn't see a diy for belt replacement so I made one and decided to post if it would help someone...
Time elapsed...about 2 hours..taking my time and taking pics for the diy.
1) Gather tools and get parts.
TOOLS
PARTS
2) Remove interference to include:
-Fan Shroud and fan.
-Airbox
-Skid plate from underneath car.
3) Remoce AC Belt by removing tension with 5/8" socket and turning clockwise. This is the shorter of the two belts and is very easy to remove and install.
Socket on tensioner pulley bolt
Belt removed
4) Make a drawing and remove the serpentine belt. I made the drawing so you didn'thave to worry about it. Use the tensioner bolt with a 5/8" socket to remove the belt. Clockwise again to release the tension.
Pretty good shot of the serpentine belt path.
5) Wear differences between my ac belt and serpentine belt.
AC Belt - pretty good shape.
Serpentine belt...NOT pretty good shape..hehe.
6) Once you have removed the belts just reinstall in reverse order and ensure the belts are properly seated.
BMW FTW!!!!
Last edited by danewilson77; 07-09-2009 at 01:44 PM.
Member
Well done. Thanks for taking the time. We all benefit.
3D RC Heli Pilot
You can remove the black covers in the tensioner pullies to expose an 8mm (IIRC) bolt. Makes it very easy. Good job.
That's what my belt looked like before I changed it.
Member
Sweet...thanks for the heads up!!!Originally Posted by Phillips0417
3D RC Heli Pilot
More leverage FTW! Wish you had known that beforehand huh? lol
Member
Ah...it really wasn't that bad....but would've helped...
3D RC Heli Pilot
I didn't even know about the bolt heads on the rear of the tensioners
Member
lolz nice diagram... I love it. Fan Pulley is actually waterpump pulley... Its all good tho If you had a manual transmission, its a lot easier, no fan clutch/fan shroud, just a simple little electric fan.
Last edited by slvrXI; 07-09-2009 at 03:28 PM.
-///Mike ///Michael ///Mikey
pwn noobs /thread
Member
Dude...that's the pulley I pulled the fan off of....water pulley huh? See...41 and still learning. Gotta learn something everyday.lolz nice diagram... I love it. Fan Pulley is actually waterpump pulley... Its all good tho If you had a manual transmission, its a lot easier, no fan clutch/fan shroud, just a simple little electric fan.
Yeah, I was going to draw something on the computer...then decided, heck....I'll add a personal touch to this diy...hehe.
If this makes someone a lil more comfortable...NOT GOING TO THE STEALERSHIP, I have done my job. I am on vacation till the 20th, and have worked on the car, every day...hehe. Wife mnot that happy though. I told her the importance of a properly maintained BMW was paramount to our happiness and well being. HA!
Thanks slvrXI...you da man!!!!
Last edited by danewilson77; 07-09-2009 at 07:08 PM.
Ex's hide in my bushes...
Nice write up!!! Thanks for the info!
Member
Yeah, no problem. I am glad it helped you out!!!!!
Nice ride!!! FTW!!!
Member
So first I wanted to say thanks for putting together a great presentation, as I will be changing my belts soon. I wanted to ask you if you changed any of the pulleys or tensioners also? Do you feel it's necessary??
Member
Pulleys and tensioners should only be changed if they are about to fall apart. In other words, you rarely have to change them.
Jimmy
Member
I did not change any of my pulleys/tensioners. I am changing my shit out soon...though, because it's a high mileage car that I don't want to ruin.
If any of your pulleys/tensioners indicate the need for replacement (excessive play, noise, etc...) change them out asap. I just replaced an engine because my bosses deflection pulley broke = alternator doesn't turn = Battery light = Also water pump not turning = rrapidly rising temperature on engine coolant gage = Oh shit my car is overheating = blown engine = $5600.00.
So the answer is...if you have a high mileage car, I feel pulleys are a very cost effective preventative maintenance item. Just like the coolant system overhaul, and so on....
Thanks for the compliment.
Changing the pulleys is a very easy diy...
lolz nice diagram... I love it. Fan Pulley is actually waterpump pulley... Its all good tho If you had a manual transmission, its a lot easier, no fan clutch/fan shroud, just a simple little electric fan.
lolz nice diagram... I love it. Fan Pulley is actually waterpump pulley... Its all good tho If you had a manual transmission, its a lot easier, no fan clutch/fan shroud, just a simple little electric fan.
I was writing it for the FNG's....this is where the fan attaches....and you really can't see the water pump.....so if a guy is asking how to do belts.....he's not going to know where the water pump is...which will lead to more questions and so on..........gosh
Last edited by danewilson77; 10-24-2009 at 11:08 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Member
nice writeup and drawing by the way. I will be changing them asap as well.
Member
Apologies for bringing back a two month old thread, but would any of you kind people know if these directions apply to (late) e36 as well? Been doing searches for this DIY for my 1998 and finding nothing. Thanks for any hints.
"Is that a shark down there? Perhaps I've jumped too far."
Member
All I did was change the belts. This writeup should be fairly close for E36...in concept.
Remove interfernece
Just find the tensioners....relax the tension....remove and replace belts.
Let us know if you run into problems.
Oh also...if you want the e36 diy...here it is...lol.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm
Last edited by danewilson77; 03-06-2010 at 12:09 PM.
Member
BMW CCA Member
Thanks for the write up, yet another thread I'll be using this summer!
Member
Ah, yes. The Pelican write up. Well, I want to be clear that I am grateful to *you* for being kind enough to link that for me.
On the other hand... regarding my gratefulness to Dempsey...
I bought that book, carefully read that how-to, then peered down into my engine bay... Dempsey sounds like he knows what he is doing, but the idea that this can be done without removing the fan? I guess he has arms like the aliens in "Close Encounters"
It's worth noting that the Bentley manual shows the fan clearly off in its own not terribly helpful write-up. Well, heck, all these books are just increasing our sense of community and camaraderie by being insufficient for a FNG like me, necessitating these "asking for help" threads, right? I suppose I should be grateful to them for increasing my socializing.
Anyhoo, I could still do this while my fan is off, since I have to replace my fan clutch this week.
So, I found the belt tensioner for $40 on ebay. Is that a good price?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-B...-/300394045590
BavAuto is more: (http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp?HC1=...1998&HCM=328is),
but they have *everything* I might need to replace.
Here is my next question: Given that I have both the dreaded start-up squeaking AND the ominous clacking, would you advise me to replace everything on that BavAuto page link I pasted there? If not all, which ones?
I've done SO many searches about troubleshooting these, it just keeps getting more confusing, probably time to just start replacing everything until it stops sounding like a car that could die at any moment.
Another thread supporting the "replace everything" solution:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum.../t-673840.html
Thanks again.
"Is that a shark down there? Perhaps I've jumped too far."
Member
Question? How many beer minutes were allotted in the 2 hours?
Great write up Dane, love the personal touch, nothing like pen and paper.
To splane it all.
Member
12 beer minutes...
Member
8mm (IIRC) What kind of bit/wrench it that. If you pop off the dust covers on the tensioners it looks like a Torx bit. Does anyone know what size Torx? T-something. Thanks for the info.
Member
BMW CCA Member
t50
Member
I had just finished my oil change when i noticed a strange noise from the fan area, quick search brought me here and 100 bucks later disaster averted, Belt was horibly cracked this DIY was right on the money Thank you!!
Member
Hello,
was the sound that you heard a knocking sound?
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