serpentine belt re-fitting issue.

nomiS330d · 12-30-2019, 02:37 AM

About 6 months ago a squeak from the aux belt started so i replaced the belt as it was cracked and looked old. The squeak went away. I had a real issue with the tensioner though. Everytime i tried backing it off by using a ratchet on the mounting bolt it kept coming undone just before i could get the belt on. I tightened it up to what i thought was FT before trying again but it kept letting go. Eventually after about 30 mins of anguish and much swearing i managed to succeed.
The bloody squeak is back but louder this time so i'm wondering if i've got a bearing issue. To investigate i'm going to take the belt off and run the bearings to see if any are noisy or have end float. Was i doing something wrong re. the tensioner? If not has anybody else had this issue and found a way round it? Thanks.

matt_s · 12-31-2019, 03:04 AM

I had similar returning squeak on my e90 330d... the new belt wasn’t up to it.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1650484

Are you struggling to keep the tensioner back or push it back? If you’re struggling to keep it back, is there a place to put a retaining pin (drill bit?) push back, pin, fit belt, take up tension, remove pin.

M

nomiS330d · 12-31-2019, 10:18 AM

I realised yesterday there is a torx hole under the pulley, t60 I think it is that’s for holding the tensioner back while slipping the belt off and on. Last time I was trying to do it using the bolt that holds the actual pulley to the tensioner dur brain me!
Anyway, I ran all the pulleys and they all seem ok so I put the belt back on. The squeak is still there.
I have read dayco belts are prone to this, the last belt was dayco as is this one that’s been on about a year. I’m going to order a continental one which apparently stay quiet. Worth a go for £20 anyway.

matt_s · 01-01-2020, 08:23 AM

Continental fixed it for me, glad you realised where the torx hole was :-)

Jimc89 · 01-18-2020, 05:14 AM

My 07 325d has just turned 100000 miles i have owned the car for 8 years now and still have no real reason to change it,

anyway i have been doing some maintenance and next on my to do list is belts and pulleys i have priced up OEM but before i pull th trigger just wondering what you guys recommend

cheers

Tambohamilton · 01-18-2020, 11:53 AM

Decent brand tensioner, and continental belt as mentioned here. The tensioners are simple parts, and generally don't give any hassle so long as the bearing is decent. I generally go for tensioners from bearing manufacturers.

12-30-2019, 02:37 AM	#1
nomiS330d Lieutenant 75 Rep 541 Posts Drives: E92 330d Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Doncaster iTrader: (0)	serpentine belt re-fitting issue. About 6 months ago a squeak from the aux belt started so i replaced the belt as it was cracked and looked old. The squeak went away. I had a real issue with the tensioner though. Everytime i tried backing it off by using a ratchet on the mounting bolt it kept coming undone just before i could get the belt on. I tightened it up to what i thought was FT before trying again but it kept letting go. Eventually after about 30 mins of anguish and much swearing i managed to succeed. The bloody squeak is back but louder this time so i'm wondering if i've got a bearing issue. To investigate i'm going to take the belt off and run the bearings to see if any are noisy or have end float. Was i doing something wrong re. the tensioner? If not has anybody else had this issue and found a way round it? Thanks.
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12-31-2019, 03:04 AM	#2
matt_s Private 15 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 330d e90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Costa del Sheffield iTrader: (0)	I had similar returning squeak on my e90 330d... the new belt wasn’t up to it. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1650484 Are you struggling to keep the tensioner back or push it back? If you’re struggling to keep it back, is there a place to put a retaining pin (drill bit?) push back, pin, fit belt, take up tension, remove pin. M
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12-31-2019, 10:18 AM	#3
nomiS330d Lieutenant 75 Rep 541 Posts Drives: E92 330d Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Doncaster iTrader: (0)	I realised yesterday there is a torx hole under the pulley, t60 I think it is that’s for holding the tensioner back while slipping the belt off and on. Last time I was trying to do it using the bolt that holds the actual pulley to the tensioner dur brain me! Anyway, I ran all the pulleys and they all seem ok so I put the belt back on. The squeak is still there. I have read dayco belts are prone to this, the last belt was dayco as is this one that’s been on about a year. I’m going to order a continental one which apparently stay quiet. Worth a go for £20 anyway.
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01-01-2020, 08:23 AM	#4
matt_s Private 15 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 330d e90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Costa del Sheffield iTrader: (0)	Continental fixed it for me, glad you realised where the torx hole was :-)
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01-18-2020, 05:14 AM	#5
Jimc89 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 44 Posts Drives: BMW 325d msport Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	My 07 325d has just turned 100000 miles i have owned the car for 8 years now and still have no real reason to change it, anyway i have been doing some maintenance and next on my to do list is belts and pulleys i have priced up OEM but before i pull th trigger just wondering what you guys recommend cheers
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01-18-2020, 11:53 AM	#6
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3058 Rep 3,909 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	Decent brand tensioner, and continental belt as mentioned here. The tensioners are simple parts, and generally don't give any hassle so long as the bearing is decent. I generally go for tensioners from bearing manufacturers.
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