Author Topic: DIY Accessory Belt Replacement (Read 22518 times)

Zoso · « **on:** May 09, 2006, 11:10:32 AM »

DIY instructions on how to replace all three belts on the M42:

http://zoso.no-ip.org/318i-belts.html

After months of riding around with no power steering, I'm so happy to have it back! The car no longer gets pulled into the grooves in the highway and I no longer feel like I'm fighting the car to keep it straight while driving.

Eurospec · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2006, 12:03:53 PM »

Was just thinking about this lately, you read my mind

Thanks!

Zoso · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2006, 12:44:38 PM »

No problem! Good luck with your belt replacement. I had a bitch of a time trying to replace my alternator belt this past winter.... but replacing all 3 this past weekend took me not much time at all. It's amazing how much easier it is to do work while in a warm garage than it is in the middle of the dark, cold winter with your hands freezing to the tools and the driveway covered in snow and ice.

Oh wait - you don't get the cold or snow. bastard!

n2motorsports · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2008, 03:55:29 PM »

Link is dead...anyone have another resource? I'm sure I can figure it out but I'd rather do a bit of research first.

Thanks.

teh Phil · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2008, 08:10:11 PM »

I was going to use Zoso's guide too, but I figured I would just wing it today. It's really not that hard. The most difficult part was wiggling the fan shroud in and out. Here's my general process:
-Wiggle out fan shroud (Secured with 2 fasteners at the top)
-Remove fan (4 allen bolts)
-Jack up front end of car
-Remove plastic from the bottom side of the car (2 screws and 2 plastic nuts on each side)
-Remove power steering belt (Tensioner is below PS pump)
-Remove AC belt (Tensioner is the small pulley below AC....uses same Allen wrench as radiator fan bolts)
-Remove Alternator belt (Tensioner is bracket on top of alternator)
-Put it all back together!

pbgd3skier · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2008, 04:04:37 PM »

Quote from: n2motorsports;43838

Link is dead...anyone have another resource? I'm sure I can figure it out but I'd rather do a bit of research first.

Thanks.

I checked wayback machine for a link for this one, it hasn't been archived.

Anyway, I am confident you can manage this process, remember to be careful to not strip the geared drivers, I put some push on the object I am tightening so that when I turn the nut it doesn't jump teeth.

n2motorsports · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2008, 11:10:25 PM »

thanks for the vote of confidence...haha

i successfully did the job, though i didn't find it necessary to take off the shroud. otherwise, it was pretty straightforward as "teh Phil" indicated.

Shaunster · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2008, 06:09:05 AM »

Does anyone have any pictures or diagrams of how the belts should be positioned on the m42? I purchased a new car and looking at the engine today I noticed that I had no aircon belt attached, I want to do it but I am not 100% sure on where to run it. I can guess by looking at my pictures here, but it would be a massive help if I had a diagram to follow.

pbgd3skier · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2008, 07:07:49 PM »

its super simple with V belts, the belt goes around the a/c pulley, one side goes under that black tensioner which is driven up or down by the allen head visible in your picture. it goes behind the other belt, so you'll have to remove your other belt to fish it onto the drive pulley.

no garauntee that your ac will work with the belt installed

Frank Gallegos · « **Reply #9 on:** April 14, 2008, 11:54:29 AM »

Zoso's link is back up and running. Check it out for an answere to your quesiton, Shaunster.

http://zoso.no-ip.org/318i-belts.html

Shaunster · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2008, 11:12:38 PM »

Oh I forgot to reply to this thread and say that I worked it out after an hour of playing around with it. Got it all connected and adjusted - but the AC compressor needs to be overhauled.

Thanks anyway all.

mach schnell · « **Reply #11 on:** June 06, 2008, 09:44:41 AM »

Quote from: teh Phil;43988

I was going to use Zoso's guide too, but I figured I would just wing it today. It's really not that hard. The most difficult part was wiggling the fan shroud in and out. Here's my general process:
-Wiggle out fan shroud (Secured with 2 fasteners at the top)
-Remove fan (4 allen bolts)
-Jack up front end of car
-Remove plastic from the bottom side of the car (2 screws and 2 plastic nuts on each side)
-Remove power steering belt (Tensioner is below PS pump)
-Remove AC belt (Tensioner is the small pulley below AC....uses same Allen wrench as radiator fan bolts)
-Remove Alternator belt (Tensioner is bracket on top of alternator)
-Put it all back together!

Looks like Zoso's guide is down.

Can anyone help with more specific instructions on how to replace these belts? My alternator belt is first up for replacement.

BMWManiac · « **Reply #12 on:** June 19, 2008, 11:21:20 PM »

Go back to Zoso's guide, but if you are still curious:

1) Alternator belt: above the alternator, there is a bracket. You'll see a gear nut on one side and a nut on the other....loosen the nut, not the gear nut, and just put the bracket towards the engine....tension is gone. Install belt, pull the bracket back towards you, tighten the bolt, not the gear bolt.

2) AC compressor belt: The pulley hangs the lowest, remove cap, loosen nut in side pulley. Underneath pulley is a hex nut, loosen nut, remove tension, install belt....

3) Starter belt: There is another gear nut (19mm?)...turn it clockwise to release tension....replace belt...

Before you start, note the orientation of each belt!