DIY replacing Drive Belt/Serp Belt--are these good instructions?

[tomjonesrocks]

I searched the forums for info but I guess my search-fu isn't very good. I am sure somewhere around here there's really good information related to this job.

Anyway at 83k on my '05 ZHP my drive belt is looking worn. Based on the estimate I got at my indy decided to go ahead and DIY this one.

For those that have done this job, does this look like a solid info sheet?
http://www.bmw330ci.net/maintenance/belts.php

Any suggestions/tips alternate instructions if needed would be greatly appreaciated.

Thanks!

[ELCID86]

Pretty sure I followed these on my Ci.

[Tnhl1989]

I searched the forums for info but I guess my search-fu isn't very good. I am sure somewhere around here there's really good information related to this job.

Anyway at 83k on my '05 ZHP my drive belt is looking worn. Based on the estimate I got at my indy decided to go ahead and DIY this one.

For those that have done this job, does this look like a solid info sheet?
http://www.bmw330ci.net/maintenance/belts.php

Any suggestions/tips alternate instructions if needed would be greatly appreaciated.

Thanks!

Yep looks perfect. How much did they want for that job?

[tomjonesrocks]

Yep looks perfect. How much did they want for that job?

$180 for just the drive belt--over $200 to do both. Unsure if that's reasonable or not, but my reaction was "to change a belt?"

Doesn't look that hard...

[Oli77]

I'm not even sure you need to remove the fan if you have a manual.

[Tnhl1989]

It's not much work to remove the fan. Allows for a lot more room. You could probably do it with the fan on. My preference is to take it off.

[Hornung418]

Take fan off and get a camera to take pics of the tensioner bolts. That way you will not mess up the head. Some cars have a torx socket others have a hex socket. So make sure.

I just changed the belt on my Altima and that was a PITA. The e46 is very straight forward and can be done in 20 minutes if you learn your way around them.

From a GS3, this was sent.

[Crickett]

Take fan off and get a camera to take pics of the tensioner bolts. That way you will not mess up the head. Some cars have a torx socket others have a hex socket. So make sure.

This, this, this!!! Last time I was taking my belts off (replacing pulleys) I spent 30 – 45 min just banging my head against a wall trying to figure out why my Torx bit wasn't working anymore on the tensioner to get the belt back on! Thought I had stripped out the bolt, but turns out I was using the wrong bit the whole time!

I cannot recommend strongly enough that you take out the fan & verify what type of bolt is on your tensioners. Like Hornung said, it'll either be a Torx or hex.

[telijah]

Take fan off and get a camera to take pics of the tensioner bolts. That way you will not mess up the head. Some cars have a torx socket others have a hex socket. So make sure.

Good lord, I remember this headache when I did my belts for the first time and replaced pulleys too.

[aurelius]

The DIY noted above shows a hydraulic tensioner unit and as noted in earlier posts, it'll have either a T50 or an 8mm hex for releasing tension (clockwise).

But if you have the mechanical belt tensioner, look for a nut built into the casting and use that to release tension. See arrow in photo below. Also, behind the arrow you can see where a hex wrench is used to hold the tensioner while replacing the belt. IIRC, the screwdriver from the trunk tool kit also fits there.

If you have yet to replace the idler and tensioner pulley wheels, do yourself a HUGE favor and replace those while the belt is off.

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l584/aurelius3/Random%20BMW%20Pics/mech_belt_tensioner_zps9866986f.jpg (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/aurelius3/media/Random%20BMW%20Pics/mech_belt_tensioner_zps9866986f.jpg.html)

I'd print this and have available when replacing the drive belt:

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l584/aurelius3/Random%20BMW%20Pics/file_zpse31c1d60.jpg (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/aurelius3/media/Random%20BMW%20Pics/file_zpse31c1d60.jpg.html)

[tomjonesrocks]

The DIY noted above shows a hydraulic tensioner unit and as noted in earlier posts, it'll have either a T50 or an 8mm hex for releasing tension (clockwise).

But if you have the mechanical belt tensioner, look for a nut built into the casting and use that to release tension. See arrow in photo below. Also, behind the arrow you can see where a hex wrench is used to hold the tensioner while replacing the belt. IIRC, the screwdriver from the trunk tool kit also fits there.

If you have yet to replace the idler and tensioner pulley wheels, do yourself a HUGE favor and replace those while the belt is off.

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l584/aurelius3/Random%20BMW%20Pics/mech_belt_tensioner_zps9866986f.jpg (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/aurelius3/media/Random%20BMW%20Pics/mech_belt_tensioner_zps9866986f.jpg.html)

I'd print this and have available when replacing the drive belt:

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l584/aurelius3/Random%20BMW%20Pics/file_zpse31c1d60.jpg (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/aurelius3/media/Random%20BMW%20Pics/file_zpse31c1d60.jpg.html)

After doing some more searching I found another post on this:
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?36-AC-and-Serpentine-Belt-Diy

It looks like in this he has an additional step of jacking and putting the car on stands to remove the plastic protective cover from underneath the engine bay. Can this step be skipped and everything accessed from the top down?

[Hornung418]

There is more access to be had from underneath, but you can do it from the top if it isn't possible for you to lift the car.

From a GS3, this was sent.

[LivesNearCostco]

I have removed my drive belt several times. It can be done from the top without removing the plastic cover, but it is much easier to jack up the car and remove the cover for a few reasons.

If you drop a pulley dust cap or screw, easier to retrieve it (magnetic pickup won't grab plastic dust caps)
Easier (at least for me) to turn AC belt tensioner from below
Raising the car up is easier on your back when you bend over the radiator to work on the belts


Edit: err... what Hornung said!

[danewilson77]

I have removed my drive belt several times. It can be done from the top without removing the plastic cover, but it is much easier to jack up the car and remove the cover for a few reasons.

If you drop a pulley dust cap or screw, easier to retrieve it (magnetic pickup won't grab plastic dust caps)
Easier (at least for me) to turn AC belt tensioner from below
Raising the car up is easier on your back when you bend over the radiator to work on the belts


Edit: err... what Hornung said!

Right.

Also...when doing this, I find it typical to replace AC tensioner/Belt as well. Tough to get at from the top end.