BMW E90 Drive Belt Replacement | E91, E92, E93 (2024)

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the feedback. Glad it was helpful! - Nick at Pelican Parts

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Remove the belt, idle the engine for a few seconds (not long), if the noise is gone, inspect each component for binding, looseness or drag. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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These are a few things that can cause belt noise. Also a faulty tensioner or pulley! - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

You didn't mention what year and model vehicle you are working on.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:

YOu'll have to inspect the pulleys and see which one is either of of alignment or has a faulty bearing. 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:

We don't currently have that tech article. If we get a chance to perform the procedure, we will be sure to document it.If you check the forums, someone may have shared photos there of the procedure. https://forums.pelicanparts.com / - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I don't see how it would fall out. I would remove the drive belt and check each pulley for binding or noise. With the belt off, move the tensioner back and forth, make sure it isn't creaking. - Nick at Pelican Parts

When installing my new tensioner and new serpentine belt I secured the Torx screw with a small 1/4 drive ratchet before moving on to tightening it with a 1/2 drive 500mm torque wrench.

However, while using the torque wrench I think I set this to 25Nm noticed I was no longer able to get a grip on the head of the Torx. Upon checking, realised that the head of the Torx had 'sunk' in to the tensioner such that I am no longer able to get a grip on the head of the Torx picture attached. Have I possibly over-tightened the aluminium Torx screw?

I started the car for 10 seconds and the serpentine belt and observed that the serpentine belt seems to stay on the roller. picture taken after running for 10 seconds.

I'm worried that the tensioner hasn't been tightened down to spec, do you think it would be worth the hassle of extracting the Torx screw to put in a new one? Thanks.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Yes, Way better than having it come loose on you. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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

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Check your power steering fluid and belt alignment. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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

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The tensioner is likely faulty and also needs to be replaced. Quite a common issue here in the US. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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Surface rust like that is normal. If you want to remove the rust, clean using a penetrating oil and a wire brush. Once clean, you can paint them. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Awesome and thanks for the follow up. Glad you got it sorted. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Hi,

I installed a new tensioner and serpentine belt on my 2011 328i N51 Engine. I used the INA tensioner not genuine BMW and a Contitech Belt not genuine BMW purchased from Pelican Parts using the directions from Pelican Parts Technical Article on Belt/Tensioner replacement and after watching several videos on the internet.

I believe that I torqued the new tensioner to 25Nm using a torque wrench that is supposed to be accurate to less than 3% error at 25Nm followed by 1/4 turn, using magic marker on the use-once-tensioner bolt to gauge the 1/4 turn I do not have a torque angle wrench but 90 degrees is I think easy to judge, especially using a mark on the bolt

Everything appeared to be ok for 250 miles of driving local roads and highway, with engine RPM ranging from 800 @Idle to 3,000 on the highway; speeds up to 65mph I drove at highway speeds for 3+ hours.

However, I now hear an intermittent whine or rattle when I drive at 50 to 60mph on highway. The noise could be related to the belt/tensioner or it could be unrelated. I was concerned enough that I had the car towed home from 60 miles way, rather than risk a belt slipping off and destroying everything.

When I look at the serpentine belt as it rests on the black roller part of the tensioner, the distance from the edge of the serpentine belt closest to the radiator side to the edge of the tensioner roller is maybe around 1/16 inch or less. In other words, it wouldn't take much movement of the serpentine belt towards the direction of the car's radiator for the serpentine belt to start "walking off" the roller.

My QUESTION: Do you think I mis-installed the belt? How much distance should there be between the edge of the serpentine belt and the edge of the black roller on the tensioner?

I hope this diagram makes sense:

---Edge of Roller on Tensioner Closest to Firewall--
_________________Edge of Serpentine Belt_____________

_______Edge of Serpentine Belt Closest to Radiator __
--------Edge of Roller on Radiator Side-----

The gap between the two bottom lines in the diagram above is small! What should the minimum gap be?

I will try releasing the tension and try to push the serpentine belt towards the firewall side a bit and then apply tension again.

Do you have suggestions/comments please?

Thank you!

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Remove belt, run engine for a few seconds, is noise gone?- Nick at Pelican Parts

Thanks for providing these instructionals.

2008 328xi wagon here.

Replacing the belt, tensioner, bolt, pulley took me about an hour just putzing around. I had easy access to all components without removing the ductwork. I could see no advantage to removing it.

As for torques: The aluminum bolt for the tensioner is rough 25 Nm + 90 degree turn. The pulley bolt is 40 Nm.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

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

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the Info. We appreciate it. - 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

Hi, thank you for the great write up!
Just curious on the Idler Pulley/Deflection Pulley. When I received the replacement, the pulley has the bolt through it with a circular metallic looking plate holding the bolt in place. The instructions in package says to remove this piece before installation. Upon removing the old pulley, this plate was left on previous services always done by dealership. Should this plate be left on or off, or does not matter ?

Thanks.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

That plate comes off. It is there to hold the bolt on. Follow the instructions supplied with the pulley. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I’m not the best with part numbers, I am the technical question person.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:

If the belt was specified by BMw (NON AC model) the Pelican Parts parts specialists can figure out what part or repair kit you need. Give them a call at 1-888-280-7799. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I don’t have torque information.I would suggest you grab a repair manual, you should own one. It will have the procedure, special tools and torque specs.Give our parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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A bad crank pulley or other accessory component. Remove the drive belt and inspect all the pulleys. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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The tensioner could be installed wrong or the belt is wrong part. - Nick at Pelican Parts

" "The idler pulley commonly fails, if this occurs the coolant pump will loose the drive belt and engine will overheat."

The water pump on these motors are electric. How does the belt/tensioner affect the water pump?"

The wording in the guide suggests the drive belt drives the pump and should be changed. The water pump will continue to run on battery power... once the battery is too low to run the pump, the engine would likely stall anyways.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Not to mention on an E90 you will get various bells and warnings about the voltage prior to the complete shutdown. I will make sure to re-word this.Thanks for catching that! - Casey at Pelican Parts

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I believe they are different - Casey at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

We really don't have a choice but to go with the replacement parts that BMW and our suppliers offer. I advise to go with the Genuine BMW tensioner and pulley. - Casey at Pelican Parts

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have a diagram of how the serpentine belt should be routed on a 2006 BMW 320i e90? My belt has snapped and needs replacing and i can't find a diagram for the correct routing anywhere.. i think i may have figured it out but not 100% sure.. is there only one way it goes on? Any help would be very much appreciated : cheers

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

No, we don't have that vehicle in the US, so I don;t have info for it. See if the attached parts diagram helps. it is from the web for a 320i 2006. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I was referring to the subject vehicle in the tech article, your vehicle looks different. if the belt has a tight bend, it does not have to ride in the grooves, there is enough tension to hold it in place, as I see it. I am however not BMW or the person designing the drive belt system. So I can't give you the exact reason behind the design.- Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

because it doesn't ride on the ribs of the belt. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately torque specs may change, so Pelican doe snot offer them, Refer to BMW for that info. - Nick at Pelican Parts

I do these often, so when you check your car over every now and again look for the belt getting flush with the tensioner, means tensioner is already starting to wear best do it soon. I have seen these break and wrap up, break the crank seal, and belt worked its way up into the valve coverenough to jump timing. RARE and extreme but possible.

I find a TAD bit of blue lock tite and torqued slow and gentle gets the job done.

*You don't always have to take off intake piping, not that its very hard, but you can drop the tensioner down and towards the air box, work it up through slowly, back down the same way. Easy peasy. BUY QUALITY PARTS! You'll be sorry.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

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

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

You probably left something unplugged. Check your electrical connections. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Pelican Parts should be able to get it. 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:

The article is for gas fuel engines only. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

The idler, faulty water pump, faulty crank pulley. You'll need to inspect the remaining items. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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Possible it is the wrong size / part? - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

if you suspect the noise is from the belt components, remove the drive belt and briefly start the engine. Is the noise gone? If so, inspect the belt driven components for noise, grinding or looseness. Do not let the engine run long, as the temp could rise quickly.- 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:

if you suspect the noise is from the belt components, remove the drive belt and briefly start the engine. Is the noise gone? If so, inspect the belt driven components for noise, grinding or looseness. Do not let the engine run long, as the temp could rise quickly. - Nick at Pelican Parts

The correct serpentine routing for a2009, 135i is the following;

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

It is a good idea to do so. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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Could be the VANOS actuator or timing chain. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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If the pulley is crooked (misaligned with other belts) or doesn't spin smooth. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

The belt may be faulty. First check if the tensioner is OK, if so, replace the belt. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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It may be seized. Try using a breaker bar to move it into the released position. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Got it.Your tensioner is likely faulty, I would replace it. This is a common issue. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Your tensioner is likely faulty, I would replace it. This is a common issue. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Your tensioner is likely faulty, I would replace it. This is a common issue. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

No, you rotate the tensioner and hold it, as described in the tech article. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Torque specs are often updated, the best place to find them is in a repair manual. I would grab a repair manual. It will have the procedure, special tools and torque specs.Give our parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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The alternator could have the wrong pulleys or the wrong part all together. Also check that all of the other component pulleys are aligned. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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My info says 80 Nm. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I can check if I have the info, need more info on which pulley it is, fastener size, etc. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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I am not aware of an E90 with electric power steering. This did not happen until later BMW models. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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On turbocharged models, it is easier to work from below. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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This means there is an initial torque, then you rotate the fastener a specified distance, usually measured in degrees. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

That article has not been posted yet. It will be once it is completed. In the mean time, I would grab a repair manual. It will have the procedure, special tools and torque specs.Give our parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. They - Nick at Pelican Parts

"The idler pulley commonly fails, if this occurs the coolant pump will loose the drive belt and engine will overheat."

The water pump on these motors are electric. How does the belt/tensioner affect the water pump?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

The drive belt runs the alternator, if charging system fails, so does the water pump. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

You can replace the bolt. Then drill and heli-coil the mounting hole. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

If it is just the head, remove the tensioner, then use vise grips to remove the bolt. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Either the belt is wrong, or you are installing the belt incorrectly. DOuble check the part number. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

The torque specs will be listed in this repair manual: https://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/4412/BMW_4412_TOLBKS_pg1.htm #item0 - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the feedback. Glad we could help. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

You can use a wrench on the fasteners for the tensioner pulley to relieve tension. Once you get the belt off, I suggest replacing the belt tensioner.Give our parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799 and they can help you find the right part. - Nick at Pelican Parts