ok, i broke something but what? --Its the alternator Belt :(

[Hyperion]

Hi All

Hope you can point me the right direction.
Tonight i was driving my car home a little hard, and then i noticed all the warning lights on the dash were ON, the steering had become hard, and the engine temp guage was climbing!
what did i break?

Summary:
1. driveing home fast
2. all dash warning lights
3. Steering hard
4. Over Heating

its a 325i auto.

regards

[e30topless]

sounds like both belts, fan and steering pump ?

[jbh]

sounds like you may have snapped a belt. hence no power steering. alternaitor not charging and water pump not running as no drive to them.. just an idea but worth a look

[Hyperion]

Balls!!!

which belt do you think it is?
does the e30 m20b25 engine have a single belt that runs between the water pump, altenator, power steering rack?!

[jbh]

Balls!!!

which belt do you think it is?
does the e30 m20b25 engine have a single belt that runs between the water pump, altenator, power steering rack?!

should be 2 belts. theres one smaller one which does the power steering then a large one that does the water pump and alternaitor

[e30topless]

strange they should go at the same time, but my bet is they have, it's quite a simple task to re-fit new one's

did you run over anything ?

[Hyperion]

On the way home i did go over some speed bumps!? maybe i popped one of the belts off?
i need to check this out in the morning, as it dark out here.

[Hyperion]

Is there any guides to replacing these belts on the zone?

[RoadHazard]

How did you get home?

[harry_p]

One probably broke and got pulled under the other making it jump off the pulleys.

Should be an easy fix assuming none of the things the belts drive have siezed which could have caused the problem in the first place.

[Hyperion]

Road Hazard - it happened less than 500m away from home, so just limped her home, got home before she started overheating.

I had a look this morning, and i can confirm what has been said, the alternator belt decided to murder itself and it seems to have knocked the other belt! It was squealing occasionally before this happened.
Going to borrow the girlfriend’s car today, and go to the dealer to get some belts.

So my next obvious question is, can i change these belts myself?
do i need any special tools, or should i leave this up to a mechanic?

Regards

[capri_rob]

belts cost next to nothing and is fairly easy to do - think they're about £3 each from GSF

[Hyperion]

Thanks Willnz!
You are my hero for 2009!!

This morning i called the dealers but they do not have any stock, i ended up at a local part shop and got the following Goodyear Gatorback belts for the e30.

1x Alternator Belt
1x Power steering Belt
1x Aircon belt

i figured i would get all the belts as i didnt get a chance to scrutinise the belts this morning, i had to get to work.

Willnz, would it be easier to work on the belts from the top or bottom and would you advise me to remove anything to get to the alternator? like the airbox?

Thank you

[Hyperion]

Quick update, i spent the better part of Saturday replacing the belts on my car.
Was very happy and satisfied when i started her up and drove her around and she didn’t over heat!!

Thanks to everyone who helped. I must say moving the alternator, steering and aircon units was a bit fiddly but i managed. I had to jack the front of the car up and work from the bottom and top. This was a bit of a mission in the beginning as i had to remove my cars sump guard before i could access anything.
I did take pictures, and later when i get a chance i will post some pictures up.

regards

[jbh]

glad its all sorted for you now.

[Hyperion]

quick update, been driving the car for a while now.
Car has been behaving, not over heating etc.
But I had to make a u turn in a tight street and turned the steering wheel to full lock to make the turn and I heard the car squeal like a PIG, i assume it has to do with the power steering belt, only makes a noise on full lock.

[jbh]

could be time for new power steering fluid.

[stonesie]

It's more likely that you didn't tighten the belt enough, they should have about half an inch of 'flex' when you push them firmly with 1 finger on the longest run between pulley's.

With the Air box removed you can do them from above

[clipper]

Probably just needs the belt tightening. I tightened mine to recommended spec and it did exactly the same squealing on full lock, a bit of extra belt tension and all is OK.

Changing the fluid is still a good idea though.

[Hyperion]

Sorry for not replying sooner, but thanks for the advice, i will check the tension on the belt and i also think its time to do a PS steering fluid renew. I just need to troll the zone looking for write up on how to do it.