I was searching for a how to for changing the main belt.

Jeffrimerman · 02-02-2009, 02:13 PM

I did a search, but couldn't find instructions on changing the belt. I'm sure it is easy and I can probably figure it out, but I want my hand held, hehe. I imagine the serpentine belt is probably only a dealer item. Is the tensioner spring loaded or rigid? I have 94k miles on my 03 2.5L so I'm sure it is time to change it. When I was under the car and pulled of the plastic cover I could see small cracks in the belt so I best change it asap.

Jeffrimerman · 02-02-2009, 02:16 PM

I found this right now, so it seems pretty simple. It is part of the steps for changing the water pump.

"3. Remove the top plastic (fanshroud?) cover and loosen but don't remove the bolts on the water pump pulley. Remove the serpentine belt. 16mm socket for the tensioner. "

Anything else I should know?

nickpapa · 02-02-2009, 02:30 PM

very easy. check out this DIY. its the same on all 6 cyl bmw's.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm

disregard figure 6, thats for older style pre-serpentine style belt systems.

Jeffrimerman · 02-03-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickpapa

very easy. check out this DIY. its the same on all 6 cyl bmw's.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm

disregard figure 6, thats for older style pre-serpentine style belt systems.

Thanks Nickpapa. My deli is called "Nick's Deli" so come down for a free sandwich in the Bay area=). I found the belt at Autozone. They have duralast and goodyear.

nickpapa · 02-03-2009, 04:06 PM

if you have no other option, go with the goodyear. if you can wait and order it, id do that. i order all my parts from germanautoparts.com. i had a 91 vw for 8 years and all 8 years i ordered everything through them and they have been great. was extremely releived when i sold the vw and saw that they started to offer bmw parts as well.

i definitely recommend ordering through them if you do.

just an FYI, i had purchased belts from autozone for my vw and had issues with them snapping for some reason. once i put a factory belt on, never had a problem. just a heads up. other people may have had different experiences.

02-02-2009, 02:13 PM	#1
Jeffrimerman Private 6 Rep 82 Posts Drives: BMW R50 Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Mateo iTrader: (0)	I was searching for a how to for changing the main belt. I did a search, but couldn't find instructions on changing the belt. I'm sure it is easy and I can probably figure it out, but I want my hand held, hehe. I imagine the serpentine belt is probably only a dealer item. Is the tensioner spring loaded or rigid? I have 94k miles on my 03 2.5L so I'm sure it is time to change it. When I was under the car and pulled of the plastic cover I could see small cracks in the belt so I best change it asap.
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02-02-2009, 02:16 PM	#2
Jeffrimerman Private 6 Rep 82 Posts Drives: BMW R50 Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Mateo iTrader: (0)	I found this right now, so it seems pretty simple. It is part of the steps for changing the water pump. "3. Remove the top plastic (fanshroud?) cover and loosen but don't remove the bolts on the water pump pulley. Remove the serpentine belt. 16mm socket for the tensioner. " Anything else I should know?
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02-02-2009, 02:30 PM	#3
nickpapa First Lieutenant 23 Rep 374 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (3)	very easy. check out this DIY. its the same on all 6 cyl bmw's. http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm disregard figure 6, thats for older style pre-serpentine style belt systems.
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02-03-2009, 04:06 PM	#5
nickpapa First Lieutenant 23 Rep 374 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (3)	if you have no other option, go with the goodyear. if you can wait and order it, id do that. i order all my parts from germanautoparts.com. i had a 91 vw for 8 years and all 8 years i ordered everything through them and they have been great. was extremely releived when i sold the vw and saw that they started to offer bmw parts as well. i definitely recommend ordering through them if you do. just an FYI, i had purchased belts from autozone for my vw and had issues with them snapping for some reason. once i put a factory belt on, never had a problem. just a heads up. other people may have had different experiences.
	Appreciate 0 Quote