Replaced Belts

[L84THSKY]

Just finished replacing both serpentine belts.....very easy job. Tools required are:

1. Breaker Bar
2. Ratchet with 13mm and 15 mm sockets

If you have ramps use them, if you don't ....get them!

I'm glad the Bentley manual shows how the belt goes on, cause remembering the way that belt goes around all those wheels ain't easy. The tensioner on the main belt makes everything easy.

The smaller (outer) belt requires poping off a plastic cover and loosening a bolt. I couldn't find anywhere stating a proper tension setting for the smaller belt, so I played it by ear.

Don't waste money having a shop do it, this is one job everyone can do, as easy as changing oil.

[bmw318tiChic]

Yeah, I've done that on my car and it is a very easy job.

[L84THSKY]

I've been asked to send pictures of how the serpentine belt is installed. Here are pics from the Bentley Manual.

[CirrusSR22]

I just did this a few days ago. It's pretty easy.

[cali-ti]

what type/size driver do you need for the tensioner bolt (to release tension)? need this info ASAP please

[L84THSKY]

Rear my first post. It was either 13mm or 15mm socket.

Originally Posted by cali-ti

what type/size driver do you need for the tensioner bolt (to release tension)? need this info ASAP please

[cali-ti]

hmmm ... mine must be different. the bolt head is round, with either a female hex or torx receptacle for releasing tension. is that what yours is like or something different?

[Panzer_M]

I have 1 belt on the M42, not the 3 belts of the e30 318is

It's 10/95 production so do I use the 1.9 belt? I use the 1.9's oil filter.

[cali-ti]

according to ETK for 10/95 production M42, you would need part # 11-28-1-247-986
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...89&hg=11&fg=18

[bobrezaee]

Originally Posted by cali-ti

hmmm ... mine must be different. the bolt head is round, with either a female hex or torx receptacle for releasing tension. is that what yours is like or something different?

Mine has the same thing. I cannot seem to get one of the tension loose. Anyone know what you use to release tension?

[cali-ti]

i'll have a new one by around friday. freakin' $80 for a stripped bolt head (only available as the WHOLE tensioner assembly ... this blows a$$!). we'll see what design it is. when i have a spare, i may well disassemble that damn thing and see if i can find a hardened hex bolt to replace it with. the one that is currently mangled is less than a year old! dammit ...

[bobrezaee]

Originally Posted by cali-ti

i'll have a new one by around friday. freakin' $80 for a stripped bolt head (only available as the WHOLE tensioner assembly ... this blows a$$!). we'll see what design it is. when i have a spare, i may well disassemble that damn thing and see if i can find a hardened hex bolt to replace it with. the one that is currently mangled is less than a year old! dammit ...

So I need to buy a new tensioner assembly???

How did you get the old one out???

I am trying to change my water pump and I cant get that off.

[cali-ti]

is your tension release bolt stripped? mine was/is partially stripped and i've got a screwdriver shoved into the hole to keep it in its fully released position right now. there appear to be two bolts (if memory serves, they are hex) to remove it. if you can wait until i get mine, i should be able to tell you exactly what type/size tool you need to remove it. i'm thinking it is/was a torx, but i'm not positive of the size (my guess is T50). looks like i need to find my good craftsman torx heads too. i used some buffalo brand i had handy and it appears it may have started to twist. ain't that special ...

remember, you need to turn is counter-clockwise to release tension. it's a left-hand threaded bolt so you're actually tightening it by turning it that way and it allows it to release tension on the belt.

if you've stripped it, i would use an extractor or something to get that bastard to turn so you can get the bolt off. if you're planning to replace the belt anyway, get something like a tin snips and cut it, but watch out for that tensioner (and the belt) when you do ...

the other thing i'm not sure about is if you can get to the two bolts for the tensioner if it's NOT in the position i described above (which is where i have mine now - in full tension release state - i think that might be the way it ships from BMW). i'll have more info on all this by (hopefully) friday.

i'll do a write up for the KB too then.

[bobrezaee]

Originally Posted by cali-ti

is your tension release bolt stripped? mine was/is partially stripped and i've got a screwdriver shoved into the hole to keep it in its fully released position right now. there appear to be two bolts (if memory serves, they are hex) to remove it. if you can wait until i get mine, i should be able to tell you exactly what type/size tool you need to remove it. i'm thinking it is/was a torx, but i'm not positive of the size (my guess is T50). looks like i need to find my good craftsman torx heads too. i used some buffalo brand i had handy and it appears it may have started to twist. ain't that special ...

remember, you need to turn is counter-clockwise to release tension. it's a left-hand threaded bolt so you're actually tightening it by turning it that way and it allows it to release tension on the belt.

if you've stripped it, i would use an extractor or something to get that bastard to turn so you can get the bolt off. if you're planning to replace the belt anyway, get something like a tin snips and cut it, but watch out for that tensioner (and the belt) when you do ...

the other thing i'm not sure about is if you can get to the two bolts for the tensioner if it's NOT in the position i described above (which is where i have mine now - in full tension release state - i think that might be the way it ships from BMW). i'll have more info on all this by (hopefully) friday.

i'll do a write up for the KB too then.

I was able to go out a buy a set from sears and everything worked out ok. The tention thing is striped but was able to get the belt back on. Its weird how everyone has different set up for these cars. I think we need to have a DIY for changing belts/water pump for the m44 or m42 engine. The one of pelican's website is for i6 engines and the directions are different which creates a problem when your trying to remove belts.

[cali-ti]

actually, it mentions both. unfortunately, i think bmw revised the damn tension release bolt from hex to whatever it is i mangled up i'll post pics when i get mine and can add an addendum to the KB article (which is currently just links). this is how i see we should handle "additional info" for the KB articles. if you come upon things that need revision or additional comments you'd like to see in any article, respond to the article and maybe PM the article owner, steven or me and we can mod up the original article post to add the info.

EDIT: if i can find a way to "rebuild" the tensioner (ie, put in a new bolt), i'll post that info too. spending $80 because a bolt stripped is ridiculous!