Replace Belts

[L0veZHP]

To follow maintenance on my car I use this http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=595553

I want to change my Belts but not sure what to buy
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW-E46/c-179-bmw-belts.aspx

can someone help me pick out what it is I need to buy to replace my belts?

[danewilson77]

You need the AC belt and the serpentine belt.

[L0veZHP]

thats all no pulleys?

[danewilson77]

You said you wanted to change your belts?

[L0veZHP]

but the website also recommends pulleys (I'm just asking)

[danewilson77]

Yes...you should do pulleys.

Get both belts and get 3 pulleys (AC Tensioner, WP Tensioner, and deflection/idler pulley)

[Crickett]

The AC tensioner is the hydraulic bit, right? Part #21 in this diagram.
http://static.bmwfans.info/images/epc/MTU2MTI5X3A=.png

[L0veZHP]

Yes...you should do pulleys.

Get both belts and get 3 pulleys (AC Tensioner, WP Tensioner, and deflection/idler pulley)

thanks Dane! =]

[telijah]

I think some are too quick to suggest pulleys when doing the belts. If you're able to do the belts, the pulleys are not that difficult. When the belts are off, just check the pulleys. If they spin smoothly, I wouldn't worry about them. If they fail later, you already know how to get to them since you did the belts, and it's only a matter of a few extra bolts.

[zj96sc]

Eh. I'd rather be a little preemptive on pulleys instead of losing cooling, power, and power steering on the interstate.

Crickett, the part you've referenced (#21) as shown is the main belt tensioner. The A/C belt tensioner lives lower on the engine. I believe it is a mix of mechanical and hydraulic tensioners.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/e46beltdiagram.png

You'll just have to see what you've got and purchase replacements accordingly. I did everything but my A/C tensioner.

[GSEN820]

Replace the pulleys since you are going to have the belts off. I didnt replace pulleys when i replaced my belts only to do it 6 months later.

[kayger12]

Eh. I'd rather be a little preemptive on pulleys instead of losing cooling, power, and power steering on the interstate.



This.

[GT172I]

......

You'll just have to see what you've got and purchase replacements accordingly. I did everything but my A/C tensioner.

By that do you mean only your Idler pulley and Serpentine tensioner pulley or all the other driven components too?

[zj96sc]

both belts, main belt idler pulley, tensioner pulley, and tensioner.

[danewilson77]

+1. Love...what's the mileage on your car?

[Newjack]

I think some are too quick to suggest pulleys when doing the belts. If you're able to do the belts, the pulleys are not that difficult. When the belts are off, just check the pulleys. If they spin smoothly, I wouldn't worry about them. If they fail later, you already know how to get to them since you did the belts, and it's only a matter of a few extra bolts.

This. A good pulley will give some resistance. It won't make a noise and won't spin for very long after you apply force. A bad pulley sounds like a worn rollerskate. The pulley will continue to spin for a much longer time after force is applied.

Gingervolt + Tapatalk

[telijah]

I have one believer :) I understand trying to be ahead of things, but this is one that, if you pay attention, should have enough time and notice before it actually failing on you, and is simple enough to replace when needed. I have never had any problems with the items on the front of this engine making it too difficult.

[L0veZHP]

I'm almost at 90k, I don't think my belts or pulleys were ever changed but they "hear" to have no problem. I just want to be secure and a maintence hog.

[telijah]

Well, at 90k, you're getting close to the time frame where some pulleys can start to fail. But as you've stated, you will usually hear them going bad long before they completely fail. Most of the time it is the idler pulley or tension pulley. Again, if you're capable of doing the belts, doing the pulleys is not that much harder. And now that I know you are at 90k, if you have the spare money, maybe do those two pulleys as well... a big maybe. I still wouldn't do them until there is an obvious sign of failure, then I take the 20 minutes to replace them at that time.

[GT172I]

They're pretty cheap (~$30 total for both) so doing them while you're in there isn't a bad idea for preventative maintenance

[danewilson77]

You won't get all three pulleys (of good quality) for $30.00

[zj96sc]

yeah, $42ish alone for just the main belt, for BMW parts. A/C tensioner I believe you can do the pulley by itself (ie not the whole tensioner) but I can't find a P/N at the moment.

[GT172I]

My mistake, I was thinking of the belts. The idler & tensioner pulleys are $43 from Pelican and qualify for free shipping (w/ $75 order) from INA, the OEM supplier. The A/C tensioner pulley doesn't look like it's replaceable by itself, the whole tensioner unit is one P/N (according to realOEM anyways). It has a different center bolt than the serpentine tensioner too (I remember having to find both a T50 Torx and a large hex to loosen the two belts)

[GT172I]

Ah quick google search sends me back here to a thread kayger started asking that exact question.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?4650-AC-Belt-Tensioner-Pulley

[kayger12]

yeah, $42ish alone for just the main belt, for BMW parts. A/C tensioner I believe you can do the pulley by itself (ie not the whole tensioner) but I can't find a P/N at the moment.


Ah quick google search sends me back here to a thread kayger started asking that exact question.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?4650-AC-Belt-Tensioner-Pulley

Yep-- I bought the Dayco pulley in that thread. Got it from Amazon.

Fit the A/C tensioner perfectly.

[Mtnman]

Hmm. at autohausaz dot com belts are 9 and 18 respectively. INA pully's are 25 bucks each here too. USE THE MAFIA LINK! (and save some cash!)

It looks like they have AC tensioner as well for cheap.

[kayger12]

Hmm. at autohausaz dot com belts are 9 and 18 respectively. INA pully's are 25 bucks each here too. USE THE MAFIA LINK! (and save some cash!)

It looks like they have AC tensioner as well for cheap.

Gotta be careful, though. Autohaus says the one pulley is for the A/C tensioner, but it doesn't fit (ask me how I know). There is technically no replacement pulley offered for the A/C tensioner-- their intention is to have you replace the entire tensioner.

If you're only looking to replace the pulley, though, the Dayco is the one that fits.