Re: Belt change on e46 (M52TU engine)

["Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Phillip,

If the tensioner is anything like the tensioner on my M50 engine (525iT) or 
S50TU engine (E36 M3), the hex head fastener is in the center of the 
tensioner wheel.  The tensioner wheel has a plastic cover that must be 
removed to reveal the hex fastener.

Then, as Bentley says, use a hex wrench (I used a hex adapter and a ratchet 
handle), and rotate to retract the tensioner wheel's hydraulic cylinder, to 
remove tension from the belt.  Then, while tension is removed, slip the belt 
off of a pulley.

I was able to replace the belts on my 535iT without removing the fan, but 
there may not be enough clearance on your car to do this, so you may need to 
remove the fan (attached to the fan clutch) to gain access to the tensioner.

Hope this helps,

- -rb

>
>Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 20:39:29 -0500
>From: "Philip Alpatov" <palpatov@domain.elided>
>Subject: Belt change on e46 (M52TU engine)
>
>	Fellow BMW fans,
>
>I've utterly failed in the simple task of changing the drive belts on my 99
>323i (e46). The reason being that I could not release the tensioner on the
>main engine belt. Bentley manual promised that to be as easy as clockwise
>turn of what the manual refers to as a tentioner hex bolt. The long
>inspection of the area around the tentioner itself had revealed no such
>bolt. Instead I found what appeared to be a threaded hole on the tentioner
>arm where one would naturally expect to find the said bolt. Question to all
>the owners of the m52TU engines-- what am I missing?
>
>Thank you in advance
>Philip Alpatov
>323i 60K


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