» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | ![](http://www.318ti.org/forum/clear.gif) | ![Reply](http://www.318ti.org/forum/images/buttons/reply.gif) | ![Share/Bookmark](http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png) | 06-12-2009, 03:08 PM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 10 | 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.. | | | 06-12-2009, 04:17 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raleigh/Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,233 | 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. ![Smile](http://www.318ti.org/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif) Its something I would rather pay for, not worth the cursewords and blood to do yourself. __________________ -Jeff | | | 06-12-2009, 04:22 PM | #3 | Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 10 | 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? | | | 06-12-2009, 04:41 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbia MD Posts: 215 | 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. __________________ *Except 318ti ![Mad](http://www.318ti.org/forum/images/smilies/mad.gif) '97 318ti M-Sport '95 M3 BMWCCA | | | 06-12-2009, 05:52 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raleigh/Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,233 | Quote: Originally Posted by MPWR The starter motor is hard to change on all E36s. | 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. __________________ -Jeff | | | 06-12-2009, 07:17 PM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: LA, Bellflower, CA Posts: 3,613 | i have both belts for the m44 if needed. __________________ ![](image.php?s=12fdeea614ce7807a797f89854462339&u=4475&type=sigpic&dateline=1228976071) -Theta Chi- Float like a cadilac, sting like a BIMMER .... my socket is just too thick and won't fit in the hole! damnit! Marv's 332ti is in the werks. Stay tuned ya'll ... Check list: S52 swap, manual transmission swap, 3.25 LSD with M Coupe diff cover, SuperSprint muffler, M3 style mirrors, AFE intake, ASC delete, M50 Manifold swap, UUC strut bar, ZHP lighted knob, Vaders, M-tech interior, OEM armrest, AC Schintzer front lip, AC Schnitzer rear spoiler, Roof spoiler, 18'' rims, M3 front drilled brakes, LED interior lights, 3 spoke Euro style steering wheel, OEM roof spoiler and bike holder, Thule fairing, Euro tail lights, oil pressure guage, carbon fiber hood painted to original paint (still showing CF weaving), what's next to do...? | | | 06-13-2009, 03:03 AM | #7 | Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 10 | 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... | | | 06-13-2009, 03:15 AM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raleigh/Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,233 | 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. __________________ -Jeff | | | 06-25-2009, 02:13 PM | #9 | Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 10 | 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. | | | 06-25-2009, 03:34 PM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: norcal - 94590 Posts: 3,186 | Quote: Originally Posted by MPWR 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. | here is the write-up; http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20854 __________________ James 95 active w/leather interior and sport interior conversion, Vaders, full M-Tech exterior conversion. Now m50 swapped* Eibach sway bars, D2 Coilovers, Depo's w/AE's, blacked-out sides and grills, LeatherZ console and door armrests, 1 series starter button mod, and custom finished Style 5's <--- in this color! Named "Roddy": *M50 6 cyl. swap with fan delete, S50 cams and chip, AFE stage 2 intake, M3 clutch and 11.5 lb Fidanza flywheel, 3.15LSD, battery relocated to rear and complete custom exhaust. Sweet! 97 318ti sport, Alaska Blue, Contours, coilovers, Dove Vaders and custom black/grey interior named "Max" 95 318ti Active in Cosmos, S50 swap in progress... named "Pit" SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! | | | 06-26-2009, 06:17 PM | #11 | Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 10 | 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. | | | ![Reply](http://www.318ti.org/forum/images/buttons/reply.gif) | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |