Easiest way to change belts

[toddz69]

Bit of an E30 newbie here.....I threw my a/c and p/s belts on Sunday.  Went and picked up replacements last night and got to looking closely at things last night.  

Since the belts are so low on the front of the engine, is it easier to run the car up on jackstands and remove the lower plastic piece (whatever it's called) and install them from the bottom rather than snaking them down from the top?

Thanks,
Todd Z.

[Eric Happy Meal]

best to reach down from on top of the car.  once you have the fan/shroud off there isnt anything in the way.

[JP 91iS]

Removing that lower engine splash guard will definitely help too, especially since you say you're new to the e30.  Go ahead and get friendly with your new ride.

[romeomike]

Just took a careful look at my 91, and I vote for the jackstand/splash guard approach as the AC and PS belts are easier to get to that way. Some thoughts:

The splash guard is one piece and goes from wheel well to wheel well. It's helpful to remove the wheels/tires to give you more room to undo the screws and nuts holding the splash guard. Removing the wheels gives you a chance to inspect your front brakes as well.

Jacking up the car using the cross-member is very good. Jacking up the car using the oil pan or steering rack is very bad. :eek: Choose wisely.

13 and 19mm sockets and wrenches will turn most of what you need. The AC has an extra idler pulley that's adjusted with a hex key wrench.

Good idea to loosen the bolt that the idler/adjusting arms pivot on prior to loosening/tightening the adjusting bolt. You'll improve your odds of not stripping or breaking the metal teeth on either the bolt or arm.

If you have a salvage yard nearby, it's a good place to practice or pick up replacement idler arms or adjusting bolts in case the previous owner messed up yours.

Belt order placement from engine to radiator is alternator, AC, PS. If your old belts aren't totally trashed, you could save them for use in an emergency repair kit (along with spare relays and fuses).

[ten2doyle102]

I had to do this on my 318is before.  I personally would rather work on it from the bottom just cause leaning over the car can be pretty exhausting to do, but then again I'm 6'5"......  

[toddz69]

Thanks for all the tips, guys.  I'm 6'4" and leaning over the thing isn't my cup of tea anymore either so I think I'll give it a go from below...

Todd Z.

[toddz69]

Thanks for all the tips, guys.  I'm 6'4" and leaning over the thing isn't my cup of tea anymore either so I think I'll give it a go from below...

Todd Z.

OK, went out tonight and quickly got the piece off the bottom that gives me clear access to the belts.  Examined the alternator belt more closely and it's nearly worn through as well so I'll be changing while I'm in there.

Next question - anyone have good p/n's for the 3 belts?  I picked up two from the local parts monkey and it looks like I'm batting 0.500 at best at this point.  

He sold me a 4 groove serpentine belt for the a/c, which definitely doesn't look right.  (Gates P/N K040335).  The p/s belt I have is Goodyear P/N 15321 or Gates P/N 7315.  Can anyone give me a good p/n for the a/c and alternator belts so I can do battle with the parts guy?

TIA,
Todd Z.

[Frank Gallegos]

Todd,

I changed my belts a short time back and used this link to help me out and it proved to be quite easy with this outline.  Good luck and enjoy!

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



I used the Goodyear Gatorback belts and loved them.  As far as part #'s as follows -

Power Steering  - 32421717953
Alternator         - 11231721408
AC                   - 64551734669


Good Luck,
Frank