How difficult is an Alternator Belt tensioner pulley & belts job

BlkBimM3R · Sat, Jun-19-2010, 05:50:22 PM

Last time I had my car in the M shop they did the CPV, valve cover, VANOS oil supply line and FCAB's at the tune of $1,200. I just did inspection II and valve adjustment so I spent quite a bit in the past month on my car. Its all stuff that needs to be done but I would like to save/DIY if I can.

They said I needed the RSM's & RTAB's, and alternator belt tensioner pulley done which I said OK go ahead and do it, but then they found a subframe crack and said they didn't want to touch the rear until BMW fixed the subframe. Searching for DIY's I think I can do the RSM & RTAB's myself when the car comes out of the dealership for the subframe repair. They told me to take care of the subframe first and the rest I could do later so right now car is at BMW for the subframe repair.

How difficult is the alternator belt tensioner pulley which they say is causing the cold start up squeal, and replacing the other drive belts? Anyone have a DIY? I want to see if I can tackle this or if I should take it to the shop after seeing the procedure. Thanks guys!!!

toy4to · Sat, Jun-19-2010, 06:03:27 PM

I just did all the belts while doing my supercharger install. Once you have all the other things off: ie. removing the fan shroud, plastic under tray, fan clutch, etc, the removal of the belts are simple. Refer to the instructions avaialble from Turner or Rogue Engineering that shows how to swap pulleys, it will give you a very good idea of what's involved.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/page...ppk_detail.pdf

I would say that most of the labor is spent removing trim pieces for you to access the betls. To remove the alternator belt, I highly suggest using a pipe to provide leverage to relieve the tension on the stock tensioner.

antknee · Sat, Jun-19-2010, 06:41:16 PM

did it on Sunday (replaced the belts, along w/ P/S pump). I only had to remove the left side of the fan shroud & unscrewed the fan to get to the belts....i also dropped the plastic pan from below to get to the pump & lower side of the belt. Aside from that the hardest part is locating the tensioner to free up the belt to remove....but everything is pretty straight forward after that. Follow this diagram when reinstalling the belts so that way you know which way to reinstall it.

I have to go back in there to replace a pulley though....got to stethoscope it to see which one it is....but yeah i have the same issue you are having on cold startup

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...14&hg=11&fg=18

Colonbuay! · Sat, Jun-19-2010, 07:06:25 PM

Tackled mine about a month ago when I had to replace my alternator; very simple task.

hammertoe · Sat, Jun-19-2010, 07:37:41 PM

I just replaced both belts. If you work from the bottom and drop the oil cooler there is plenty of room...

islavov · Sat, Jun-19-2010, 08:20:01 PM

http://www.myonlinegalleries.com/Loa...00641680640901 - pulley diy

not hard at all

BlkBimM3R · Sun, Jun-20-2010, 08:09:03 AM

awesome!!! Thanks guys...

if I successfully complete the RSM's, RTAB's, alternator belt tensioner pulley and drive belts job I might just use the money I saved on paying the shop $100/hr for a set of springs/shocks or coil overs...

a couple quick questions:

Removing Fan - It is good that I found matching wrench (i believe #32) from a power saw tool (heheh). it worked perfectly. I did the trick with the screwdriver on the pulley and hammer with the wrench. REMEMBER - tread of the fan is REVERSE - hit to the right to remove

where/how do I wedge the screwdriver? just in between the open spaces of the center of the pulley so it doesn't move right? then put a 32mm wrench on the fan bolt and hammer it in reverse tread to break the bolt loose?

- also since the shop says I need an "Alternator Belt Tensioner Pulley" to alleviate the cold start squeal (that goes away when warm right now) the part I need is

No. Description Supplement Qty From Up To Part Number Price
06 ADJUSTING PULLEY 1 11281748131 $45.97

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=11&fg=18&hl=7

correct?

for those just doing the belts (and not all the pulleys) how long did the job take? like 2-3 hrs?

antknee · Sun, Jun-20-2010, 09:24:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlkBimM3R

- also since the shop says I need an "Alternator Belt Tensioner Pulley" to alleviate the cold start squeal (that goes away when warm right now) the part I need is

No. Description Supplement Qty From Up To Part Number Price
06 ADJUSTING PULLEY 1 11281748131 $45.97

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=11&fg=18&hl=7

correct?

for those just doing the belts (and not all the pulleys) how long did the job take? like 2-3 hrs?

+1

can someone let us know which pulley is the one attached to the alternator? Mine needs to be replaced also...want to make sure I order the right part. Thanks.

tony(topaz,SMG) · Mon, Jun-21-2010, 09:10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antknee

+1

can someone let us know which pulley is the one attached to the alternator? Mine needs to be replaced also...want to make sure I order the right part. Thanks.

#6 is what I replaced to fix the cold start squeal on my car. How do you know you need an alternator pulley? It's not any of the ones in that diagram. Look at #1 in this one:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...85&hg=12&fg=22

antknee · Mon, Jun-21-2010, 11:32:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony(topaz,SMG)

#6 is what I replaced to fix the cold start squeal on my car. How do you know you need an alternator pulley? It's not any of the ones in that diagram. Look at #1 in this one:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...85&hg=12&fg=22

thanks for that link.

I have it narrowed down to the alternator pulley & the one right next to it (i forget which one that is).....i need to take a stethoscope to both to determine which one it is for sure. The sound is coming from one of the two.

Sat, Jun-19-2010, 06:03:27 PM	#2
toy4to Lemonade Tycoon Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 705 Reputation: 0 Location: Toronto	I just did all the belts while doing my supercharger install. Once you have all the other things off: ie. removing the fan shroud, plastic under tray, fan clutch, etc, the removal of the belts are simple. Refer to the instructions avaialble from Turner or Rogue Engineering that shows how to swap pulleys, it will give you a very good idea of what's involved. http://www.turnermotorsport.com/page...ppk_detail.pdf I would say that most of the labor is spent removing trim pieces for you to access the betls. To remove the alternator belt, I highly suggest using a pipe to provide leverage to relieve the tension on the stock tensioner. Last edited by toy4to; Sat, Jun-19-2010 at 06:07:28 PM.

Sat, Jun-19-2010, 07:06:25 PM	#4
Colonbuay! HESSEN ///M3 Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 819 Reputation: 0 Location: Belton	Tackled mine about a month ago when I had to replace my alternator; very simple task. __________________ 04 TIAg/IR M3 6MT, OEM ZCP wheels 06 Monaco Blue ZSP 330i 6MT

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Sat, Jun-19-2010, 05:50:22 PM	#1
BlkBimM3R Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,311 Reputation: 0 Location: So Cali	How difficult is an Alternator Belt tensioner pulley & belts job Last time I had my car in the M shop they did the CPV, valve cover, VANOS oil supply line and FCAB's at the tune of $1,200. I just did inspection II and valve adjustment so I spent quite a bit in the past month on my car. Its all stuff that needs to be done but I would like to save/DIY if I can. They said I needed the RSM's & RTAB's, and alternator belt tensioner pulley done which I said OK go ahead and do it, but then they found a subframe crack and said they didn't want to touch the rear until BMW fixed the subframe. Searching for DIY's I think I can do the RSM & RTAB's myself when the car comes out of the dealership for the subframe repair. They told me to take care of the subframe first and the rest I could do later so right now car is at BMW for the subframe repair. How difficult is the alternator belt tensioner pulley which they say is causing the cold start up squeal, and replacing the other drive belts? Anyone have a DIY? I want to see if I can tackle this or if I should take it to the shop after seeing the procedure. Thanks guys!!! Last edited by BlkBimM3R; Sat, Jun-19-2010 at 05:54:35 PM.

Sat, Jun-19-2010, 06:41:16 PM	#3
antknee Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,047 Reputation: 0 Location: Staten Island, NY	did it on Sunday (replaced the belts, along w/ P/S pump). I only had to remove the left side of the fan shroud & unscrewed the fan to get to the belts....i also dropped the plastic pan from below to get to the pump & lower side of the belt. Aside from that the hardest part is locating the tensioner to free up the belt to remove....but everything is pretty straight forward after that. Follow this diagram when reinstalling the belts so that way you know which way to reinstall it. I have to go back in there to replace a pulley though....got to stethoscope it to see which one it is....but yeah i have the same issue you are having on cold startup http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...14&hg=11&fg=18 __________________ Current: '05 M3 Silver Grey/Imola (6-speed) '90 325iX Sterling Silver/Black (5-speed swapped) Past: '01.5 1.8TQ - Brilliant Black/Nogaro Alcantara ...after 8.5yrs, Sold =( '90 BMW 325i - Schwarz/Tan sport Sold '89 BMW 325ix - Diamond Schwarz/Black sport Sold

Sat, Jun-19-2010, 07:37:41 PM	#5
hammertoe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 63 Reputation: 0	I just replaced both belts. If you work from the bottom and drop the oil cooler there is plenty of room...

Sat, Jun-19-2010, 08:20:01 PM	#6
islavov M-Power, M-Gazaria Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,349 Reputation: 0 Location: Baltimore, MD	http://www.myonlinegalleries.com/Loa...00641680640901 - pulley diy not hard at all __________________ 2004 SMG, NAV, 19' wheels, Oxford Green \w cinn leather = combo you do not see every day. (this link is so old - back from the time my car was stock, nice and shiny) Mods: DINAN CAI, AP Headers, SS Race Cats, ESS Euro Software /w Direct Flash Unit, UUC Sways (Sway Barbarian), EvoSport Pulleys, Eisenmann Meisterschaft TI Susp: TCK DA - I am lovin'it - Thanks DAN & Obioban @ DER Track Wheels: 4 rear OEMs, custom painted, DIY here More pics here

Sun, Jun-20-2010, 08:09:03 AM	#7
BlkBimM3R Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,311 Reputation: 0 Location: So Cali	awesome!!! Thanks guys... if I successfully complete the RSM's, RTAB's, alternator belt tensioner pulley and drive belts job I might just use the money I saved on paying the shop $100/hr for a set of springs/shocks or coil overs... a couple quick questions: Removing Fan - It is good that I found matching wrench (i believe #32) from a power saw tool (heheh). it worked perfectly. I did the trick with the screwdriver on the pulley and hammer with the wrench. REMEMBER - tread of the fan is REVERSE - hit to the right to remove where/how do I wedge the screwdriver? just in between the open spaces of the center of the pulley so it doesn't move right? then put a 32mm wrench on the fan bolt and hammer it in reverse tread to break the bolt loose? - also since the shop says I need an "Alternator Belt Tensioner Pulley" to alleviate the cold start squeal (that goes away when warm right now) the part I need is No. Description Supplement Qty From Up To Part Number Price 06 ADJUSTING PULLEY 1 11281748131 $45.97 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=11&fg=18&hl=7 correct? for those just doing the belts (and not all the pulleys) how long did the job take? like 2-3 hrs?