BMW E46 Drive Belt Replacement | BMW 325i (2001-2005), BMW 325Xi (2001-2005), BMW 325Ci (2001-2006), BMW 325ti (2001-2004) (2024)

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

The fastener size should be listed in the parts system, I am surprised they could not give you a size a pitch for it.These are all the fastener sizes listed. I am not sure which you need from your description.M10X25M8X40-ZNNIV SIM8X50M8X105M8X35-10.9-ZNS3M10X150 -Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

They might vary. With your vehicle info handy, give The Pelican Parts parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. They can figure out what part or repair kit you need. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Here's the info I found:Belt Pulley / Vibration Damper To Hub: M8- 22 NmCamshaft Bearing Cap: M6 - 10 Nm M7 - 14 Nm M8 - 20 Nm - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

If everything you mentioned was replaced, I would imagine it would be working. Can you rotate it by hand with the belt off? Does the clutch provide resistance when turned? - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Follow the steps in the article you commented on to install the belts. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

With your vehicle info handy, give The Pelican Parts parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. They can figure out what part or repair kit you need. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

try going left and right, does tensioner free up? If not you will have to unbolt pulley and replace the parts. be very careful as the belt will come off abruptly. Work with long tools and keep hands clear. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Rotate clockwise and hold the tensioner in that position to remove belt. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

You may have a leaking fuel injector. I would install a gauge and monitor pressure when the engine is shut off, does it bleed off right away? - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the additional info and feedback. We appreciate it. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Possible the alternator bracket.Give The Pelican Parts parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. They can figure out what part or repair kit you need. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I don't understand the issue. Are you trying to remove it? - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I would suspect the belt was installed incorrectly. Double check the belt, if OK. Inspect the thermostat to see if it opening when the engine warms up. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

No, the prescribed belt should fit. I would check if a pulley or component has failed, creating slack in the belt. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

No it is not. They are different.Give our parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Hi Nick

I have looked at the article and I have sent pictures of my car because it does not have bolt to de-tension belt. some reason my car don't even have idle pulley. Please have a look at my pictues so you understand.

https://i67.tinypic.com/2mhv7dk.png

https://i66.tinypic.com/ogl920.jpg

it wont let me attached pictures as it is to large. thanks

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Your car uses the same tensioners. I did look at your photos. Minus the idler, it is similar. If you ar having trouble, get a repair manual for your vehicle. - Nick at Pelican Parts

where is my bolt to remove drive belt. BMW e46 m43 auto 2001.

https://i67.tinypic.com/2mhv7dk.png

https://i66.tinypic.com/ogl920.jpg

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

it is the tensioners shown in the article. use the article you commented on to locate them. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

You may have Xenon, then you need the module. Give our parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. They can figure out what part or repair kit you need. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I opened a post in our forums. A Pelican community member may take you up on that. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the follow up. We appreciate it. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Is the tensioner being moved to the released position? - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Be sure the belt is engaged in all the pulley grooves and properly routed. If it is, you may have the wrong belt. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

What can I do for you, Frits? - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I would think no. You need the same part number, unless it has been updated. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

The ribs in the belt should not ride on a smooth idler pulley. Is that how yours is? - Nick at Pelican Parts

Hi Nick thanks for the quick response.

I have a 2004 BMW 325Ci M54 engine.

Unfortunately I think the picture in Figure 11 is of an older style tensioner. From what I can tell from some reading on forums by people in a similar situation:

On newer cars, the tensioners are apparently all hydraulic past, say, 2000 I think. There is an actual pulley attached at the centre with a T50 torx bolt. immediately above and to the left, there is a 14-16mm hex bolt recessed in a protruding fitting. This fitting looks like it is in the same position as your figure 11, and has an arrow pointing at it in the Bentley manual. Unfortunately this is not the tensioner and a standard bolt so turning clockwise sheared it off at the threads approximately 3 inches along the bolt.

Sadly I don't know if there is much that can be done except drill it out if I'm lucky, but the radiator is in the way... it will be tough.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Fig 6 and 7 denote the hydraulic tensioner. Do you have this style? - Nick at Pelican Parts

Hi, I followed the instructions for loosening the accessory belt tensioner from both your website and the Bentley manual. Turning the tension hex clockwise with a large wrench resulted In increasing the tension and the bolt sheared off.

Do you have any suggestions on how to fix this?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

What vehicle are you working on? - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

What vehicle are you working on? The mechanical tensioner, (assuming that is what you are referring to) has to be set when the belt is installed and does not allow movement or as belt wears. The hydraulic tensioner allows some movement as the belt wears. Overall a better option. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the input on this one. We appreciate the help. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the additional info. We appreciate it. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

It could be running out of fuel, try adding fuel when the problem occurs. See the notes here om how to measure resistance on a fuel lever sender: https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-3-Series-E90/FUEL-Fuel_Pump_Replacement/FUEL-Fuel_Pump_Replacement.htm - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

You could have a bad fuel pump. I would perform a fuel delivery system test. Check fuel pressure, volume and quality. - Nick at Pelican Parts