M20 timing belts

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Cloggy Saint
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 8027
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: zummerzet

Post Thu Nov 29, 2012 5:06 pm

I see the realoem lists 2 different numbers for M20 belts, but what's the difference?
Image

E30 zone - promoting adult illiteracy since 2004
Top
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49360
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Thu Nov 29, 2012 8:20 pm

IIRC, rounded teeth and square edged teeth.
Top
Cloggy Saint
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 8027
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: zummerzet

Post Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:29 pm

Cheers. Is this an item that's best bought from the dealer or would a motor factor give a good quality copy?
Image

E30 zone - promoting adult illiteracy since 2004
Top
e30topless
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 13595
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: surrounded by scrap

Post Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:32 pm

I once had this at a motor factors, I was suprised to learn there were 2 types, one was longer than the other IIRC

buy one from the dealer not that expensive and if you quote your Vin you should get the correct belt,
Top
Cloggy Saint
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 8027
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: zummerzet

Post Sun Dec 02, 2012 12:01 am

Cheers, rough price guide, with tensioner?
Image

E30 zone - promoting adult illiteracy since 2004
Top
capri_rob
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 9678
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: South Staffordshire

Post Sun Dec 02, 2012 7:20 am

Contitech manufacture the belts for BMW - which are available from ECP.
Image

e30topless said : Proper BMW's have 4 headlights, last of the run was the E30 and E34/E32 anything after that is just complete shite
Top
pacerpete
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 18165
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Iver heath. South bucks.

Post Sun Dec 02, 2012 12:42 pm

The early square tooth belt was only used on E12s and E21s. If you use an E30 vin you should have no problem getting the right parts. Go ECP , same parts at a third of the dealer price.
Top
kam-325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 4851
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: TELFORD !!!! (Shropshire) Stevetigger Land !!!

Post Sun Dec 02, 2012 1:12 pm

im sure i also saw somewhere that one type has one more ”atooth”a than the other,
Pete don't care about colour, He would shag a rainbow if he could find the end of it....
Image
Top
Andyboy
Alpina Colada
Posts: 12577
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Notts

Post Sun Dec 02, 2012 5:54 pm

Square tooth belts were used on early M20 (M60) engines, 2.0 and 2.3 with carb/K Jet. Replaced in late '81 by round tooth belts so no E30 will have a square tooth belt.
Belt and tensioner well over £100 at BMW, Contitech belt kit £45.
Top
HairyScreech
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 6265
Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:00 pm

Post Sun Dec 02, 2012 6:29 pm

Andyboy wrote:Square tooth belts were used on early M20 (M60) engines, 2.0 and 2.3 with carb/K Jet. Replaced in late '81 by round tooth belts so no E30 will have a square tooth belt.
Belt and tensioner well over £100 at BMW, Contitech belt kit £45.
:cry: So my e21 turdmeister will be square tooth then, will have to swap to some spare e30 pulleys so I only need to keep one belt on the shelf for both cars.

First i had heard of this as well!

Would that mean the square tooth is only on the older style stamped pulleys?
2.8 development thread http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=170822

m3.3.1 m20 thread - now running, chip needed - any volunteers?
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... =viewtopic&
Top
Andyboy
Alpina Colada
Posts: 12577
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Notts

Post Sun Dec 02, 2012 6:40 pm

Fitting later pulleys is a major ballache. The crank pulley doesn't fit so you either machine it down or fit a later front oil seal housing as well.

Top Tip: just use the right belt.
Top
pacerpete
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 18165
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Iver heath. South bucks.

Post Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:41 pm

I have a new boxed early belt for sale. No E21 will ever be allowed on the premises so I will not use it :)
Top

Return to “E30 Technical Help”