Project 5: Replacing Belts

[Wayne 962]

Got any questions on Project 5 for your E36 or E30? Ask them here!

-Wayne

[melissa330i]

I changed the belt (not AC) today because the bearing in a pulley went out.
After the change the AC blower will not work and the temp gauge is pegged out in the red.
Showing several codes - we think some may be related to alternantor not recharging but have no idea about the blower or why the temp shows hot with no physical heat.
P0174 P0117 P0171 P0369 P1320 P0505

[jamin325i]

do yourself a good deed and use a good diagram to re-thread your belts.

[jjadczak]

Wayne: Great site, love you guys! I need help though, I keep breaking alternator belts. I own a 1988 325 IS, 5 speed manual and I ordered the Contitech belts from you guys, and that failed after about 500 miles. Previous to that I locally picked up an Auto Zone belt and that failed with about 500 miles on it. Prior to that, I had another generic brand alt belt that failed too but not sure of the brand.

On the alt tensionor bracket, when I tighten the bracket, I'm at the end of the adjustor, and I feel the Alt belt is loose each time I've had to put a new belt on. I'm using the correct alternator, the pulley's look straight (no wobbles). I took off the alt bracket and it appears from my reference photos all over the net that it's installed properly and looks fairly straightforward. Early on, I may have over tightened a belt and that could have stretched it but I'm not certain. Logic to me suggests that the belts I've been installing are too big and wide.

IMHO the Contitech belt that you guys sells, seems too wide and does not fit snug into the v-grove of the pulley and I think one installed over time, it wears down the sides making the belt weak then breaking.

Coincidently, I took off the power steering belt, and it fits nice in the alt pulley v-groove and seems short (length wise) than the alternator belt and I ordered that from you. I am going to try the power steering belt as an alternator belt.

Another buddy suggested that I get some washers and add them to the alternator pulley when attached to the engine. He seems to think that by giving just a little more gap between the side of the engine and the alt bracket may be enough to help me tighten the alt belt. Should there be washers between the engine block and the alt bracket? When I took off the alt bracket the other day, there were no washers between the engine block and the alt bracket.

Why do you think I am breaking belts. This is the third time I've had this problem since last fall for a car that's only driven on weekends. I love spending money with you guys, but I'm tire of dealing with this problem. Any advice? BTW I will consult the 101 Projects book later this week while waiting for my Pelican Parts order to come on in so that may have additional insight.

This could be a simple problem, but I am stumped. Thanks in advance for any help or insight you can provide.