1996 318ti Belt replacement
 

1996 318ti Belt replacement. I need a lil help with the how to part, I know it has some kind of tensioner although I dont seem to be able to locate it. I want to replace both belts. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I am also have starter issues, turn the key and click click click, pointing me in the right direction would help on that as well. Thanks to all..

Hard to visualize it in my head to explain to you, was not able to find a picture online, but look below your alternator idler pulley. (the one to the left of your alternator that just spins, not attached to an accessory) Look down and there will be a pulley with a plastic cover on it (not always) It has a hydraulic piston on it. I think on the M42 it is just a standard bolt. Some motors like my M50 use torx, some use hex. Put a socket on it and turn it as to tighten it. This will release the pressure on the belt.

As for the clicking of the starter, it is a common problem. 95% of the time, the starter needs to be replaced. I did my own engine swap but I paid someone to do the starter. :) Its something I would rather pay for, not worth the cursewords and blood to do yourself.

Yeah all the info i have done on the starter just looks like a bitch...Im ASE certified and do most my own work but the starter just looks like a pain in the ass..and as far as the belts go...thank you, i have looked it up in mitchell but it was vauge at least, I see exactly what your talking about..i also have an oil leak i see coming from the oil filter housing, where it meets up to the block, it started this winter, will just replacing that gasket cure this you think?

The oil filter housing leak is very common on the M44, and the DIY fix is pretty straightforward- a new gasket should do the trick. There's a writeup on how to do it in the garage section.

The starter motor is hard to change on all E36s. I haven't done it on an M44, but often you have to remove the intake manifold. I think Pelican has an online writeup on their site- it's also covered in their 101 projects book.

Belts on an M44 could not really be easier. Remove the intake trunk and radiator fan to give yourself some room. The main drive belt has an idler wheel and a tensioner (they look the same), by the alternator. The tensioner is the lower one. Pry off the plastic front cover with a screwdriver, and a breaker bar with a 16mm socket will release the tension. The a/c pulley has one tensioner also, and I believe you need a hex head (maybe 7 or 8mm) on a breaker bar to release it.

I can do the starter on my M50 in an hour flat,didn't even attempt it on the 4 banger the m42/4 just seems much more busy in that area of the engine, might have to do with the two piece intake manifold system.

i have both belts for the m44 if needed.

Awesome posts thank you all for the info, I plan on making the starter job an afternoon affair, should I do it at the shop where I can lift the car up and down or can I do it all from the top of the motor...just wondering....thanks again everyone...

lift will make it 10x easier. Make sure the new starter you buy has threaded ears so you don't have to mess with putting nuts on the bolts.

Well good news...its not the starter, got it to my shop did a bunch of tests and low and behold, its the battery....yeah...put in a new battery and vrooom starts right up...charging system low, so i may need to replace the altenator....i will wait and see...does anyone have a good step by step on how to replace the oil filter housing gasket and orings, it looks as if i should take off the alt. to get to all the bolts...any help would be much appreciated.

here is the write-up;
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20854

Thanks again, that post was a major help, and i just finished replacing the gasket and orings, simple went very well, no problems what so ever....Thanks to all who helped advise.