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Thread: Belt direction

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
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    Denver, Co.
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    1995 M3 Coupe 2005 X5

    Belt direction

    On my 1995 E36 M3 I may have put the main drive belt on backwards I was not thinking about direction when I put it back on. What are the signs of a backward belt and what are the consequences? I am hearing a slightly different sound now and it has me wondering. I suppose I will reverse it and see it the sound changes. I also replaced three pulleys when I did this thermostat change and the AC belt.

  2. #2
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    Nov 2010
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    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    I never knew there was a direction for belts. Did you see an arrow on the belt? I have never seen a arrow on a belt for direction. As for odd sounds, that can be a new belt on an old tensioner and it is gripping it, thus spinning it normally. I would have a look at all the idler pulleys to see if one is bad. As a rule of thumb, I replace all the pulleys every second belt change or 8yrs/100k miles.
    Darin
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  3. #3
    Join Date
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    E39M5, E500 4WD
    Officially, you're supposed to install a USED belt in the same direction it was originally installed. A new belt can be fitted either way. Out of habit, I always install a belt so that I can read the writing on it.

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

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