Shredded serpentine belt

4cfd bmr · 12-23-2014, 10:52 AM

I had my serpentine belt shred in August of this year and cause a mess. The belt wore through the main crank seal behind the crank and caused a monster oil leak but, luckily did not end up with shards of belt in the engine. BMW replaced the main seal behind the belt.

Fast forward to Saturday night. I was getting some squeaking noise just like the noise heard in this video -

As I was getting on 495 from 267 and I felt the power steering get really tight and go the battery light immediately after that. I knew exactly what happened. ..the serpentine belt shredded...again for the 2nd time in 4 months!

I had the car towed to BMW of Silver Spring in hopes that they will repair this under good will since they were the last to touch the belt when they repaired the main crank seal. Anyone experience this issue? I'm not sure what the noise was coming from but, shortly thereafter is when the belt snapped.

Anyone have BMW take care of a RE-repair that went wrong shortly after they fixed something?

The1ontop · 12-23-2014, 10:59 AM

I brought my car to bmw silverspring they are a lot of morons there be carful

4cfd bmr · 12-23-2014, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1ontop

I brought my car to bmw silverspring they are a lot of morons there be carful

I'm sorry to hear that you had that experience. I've actually had great experience thus far with their service department. I'm hoping they come through again.

ThatRWD · 12-23-2014, 11:03 AM

Silver spring service department is horrid and don't know what their doing. Don't go there.

fdawg4l · 12-23-2014, 12:27 PM

Likely the power steering pulley is hitting the subframe and taking the belt with it. The pulley likely needs to be replaced along with your motor mounts and/or a modified subframe.

There are a few threads on this. It's a common problem for the n54. If you look down at the subframe from straight down in front of the engine, you may notice some black scuff marks on the otherwise uniform aluminum of the subframe. Thats where the power steering pump is hitting and shredding the belt.

xzibit a · 12-29-2014, 10:23 AM

Make sure they replace the tensioner as well

ThatRWD · 12-29-2014, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bora1point8t

I'm sorry to hear that you had that experience. I've actually had great experience thus far with their service department. I'm hoping they come through again.

Who was your Service Adviser and tech?

4cfd bmr · 01-13-2015, 03:26 AM

Great news! After nearly three weeks without the car BMW of Silver Spring got BMW to GOODWILL (replace for FREE) the serpentine belt, tensioner and ALL of the pulleys including the crank pulley. Not only did they replace that but they dropped the oil pan to ensure that the belt didn't get "sucked in" to the engine (behind the crank pulley) and cause collateral damage. The car is running great now and is squeal free.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatRWD

Who was your Service Adviser and tech?

Kevin Hull is my service advisor (GREAT GUY) and Byung was the tech who just recently performed the work above.

bigdaddycane · 01-13-2015, 07:55 AM

make sure they don't charge you for any of the work seeing that they just did the install 4 months ago. Most shops have to warranty their work for certain period of time.

4cfd bmr · 01-13-2015, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

make sure they don't charge you for any of the work seeing that they just did the install 4 months ago. Most shops have to warranty their work for certain period of time.

My bill was $0.00 so they didn't charge me for anything...including covering both the rental car and the $200+ tow from Sterling.

bigdaddycane · 01-13-2015, 08:29 AM

as they should have.

tres · 01-13-2015, 08:46 AM

you should get stiffer engine mounts or just replace the right side engine mount imho

07chupacabra · 01-13-2015, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tres

you should get stiffer engine mounts or just replace the right side engine mount imho

How easy is this? Any DIYs?

bigdaddycane · 01-13-2015, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07chupacabra

How easy is this? Any DIYs?

Engine mounts are a PITA and not for the inexperience mechanic. Jason (BOOM) did them and had a write up on this site. Search for it.

Personally, I would have Clem, Luther or a good shop do it.

tres · 01-13-2015, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07chupacabra

How easy is this? Any DIYs?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm

its pretty simple with the right tools clem/luther are also good guys.

tc535i · 01-13-2015, 01:37 PM

definitely replace both mounts with 335is bits, and if you want to REALLY be sure get the updated subframe or notch yours out.

tres · 01-13-2015, 09:21 PM

the 335is engine mounts are the same as the regular 335i except for the right one which is stiffer. AKG motorsports has a great set of solid engine mounts. These maybe a little harsh for some drivers

http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog...Trans%20Mounts

12-23-2014, 10:52 AM	#1
4cfd bmr First Lieutenant 47 Rep 399 Posts Drives: 15 Porsche 911 GT3 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (9) Garage List [0.00]	Shredded serpentine belt - second one in 4 months I had my serpentine belt shred in August of this year and cause a mess. The belt wore through the main crank seal behind the crank and caused a monster oil leak but, luckily did not end up with shards of belt in the engine. BMW replaced the main seal behind the belt. Fast forward to Saturday night. I was getting some squeaking noise just like the noise heard in this video - As I was getting on 495 from 267 and I felt the power steering get really tight and go the battery light immediately after that. I knew exactly what happened. ..the serpentine belt shredded...again for the 2nd time in 4 months! I had the car towed to BMW of Silver Spring in hopes that they will repair this under good will since they were the last to touch the belt when they repaired the main crank seal. Anyone experience this issue? I'm not sure what the noise was coming from but, shortly thereafter is when the belt snapped. Anyone have BMW take care of a RE-repair that went wrong shortly after they fixed something? __________________ 2021 Marina Bay Blue X5M Comp 2015 Porsche 911 GT3 SOLD 2017 Yas Marina Blue M3 SOLD 2009 E92 335i M-Sport - Space Grey Metallic SOLD 2011 Lexus IS-F Last edited by 4cfd bmr; 12-23-2014 at 11:01 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-23-2014, 10:59 AM	#2
The1ontop Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 228 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E92 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I brought my car to bmw silverspring they are a lot of morons there be carful
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2014, 11:03 AM	#4
ThatRWD Major 116 Rep 1,063 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Silver spring service department is horrid and don't know what their doing. Don't go there.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2014, 12:27 PM	#5
fdawg4l 0000000 12 Rep 144 Posts Drives: E90 335i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SF Bay, CA iTrader: (1)	Likely the power steering pulley is hitting the subframe and taking the belt with it. The pulley likely needs to be replaced along with your motor mounts and/or a modified subframe. There are a few threads on this. It's a common problem for the n54. If you look down at the subframe from straight down in front of the engine, you may notice some black scuff marks on the otherwise uniform aluminum of the subframe. Thats where the power steering pump is hitting and shredding the belt.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-29-2014, 10:23 AM	#6
xzibit a Captain 33 Rep 676 Posts Drives: 07 335i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NOVA iTrader: (1)	Make sure they replace the tensioner as well
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2015, 07:55 AM	#9
bigdaddycane I even mod my cereal 268 Rep 3,480 Posts Drives: 11 ZCP DCT M3 14 328d 21 GT4 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern Va iTrader: (53) Garage List 2021 Porsche GT4 [0.00] 2014 BMW 328d Xdriv ... [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	make sure they don't charge you for any of the work seeing that they just did the install 4 months ago. Most shops have to warranty their work for certain period of time. __________________ 2011 Mineral White M3 ZCP - Opticoat, Ventureshield, some CF, B&B exhaust, AFE Intake Vorsteiner VFF 101s Ohlins 2014 Mineral White 328d Xdrive Wagon - Opticoat, Ventureshield, B8s, H&R, Apex SM-10s Hawk Pads 2021 718 Cayman GT4 - Fire extinguiser, Neodyme GT3 Wheel Color
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2015, 08:29 AM	#11
bigdaddycane I even mod my cereal 268 Rep 3,480 Posts Drives: 11 ZCP DCT M3 14 328d 21 GT4 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern Va iTrader: (53) Garage List 2021 Porsche GT4 [0.00] 2014 BMW 328d Xdriv ... [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	as they should have. __________________ 2011 Mineral White M3 ZCP - Opticoat, Ventureshield, some CF, B&B exhaust, AFE Intake Vorsteiner VFF 101s Ohlins 2014 Mineral White 328d Xdrive Wagon - Opticoat, Ventureshield, B8s, H&R, Apex SM-10s Hawk Pads 2021 718 Cayman GT4 - Fire extinguiser, Neodyme GT3 Wheel Color
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2015, 08:46 AM	#12
tres Major 34 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: 2011 bmw 335is 6MT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: maryland iTrader: (6)	you should get stiffer engine mounts or just replace the right side engine mount imho
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2015, 01:37 PM	#16
tc535i Lieutenant Colonel 222 Rep 1,818 Posts Drives: 2007 335i, 2001 330i, 1995 M3 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: West Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	definitely replace both mounts with 335is bits, and if you want to REALLY be sure get the updated subframe or notch yours out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2015, 09:21 PM	#17
tres Major 34 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: 2011 bmw 335is 6MT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: maryland iTrader: (6)	the 335is engine mounts are the same as the regular 335i except for the right one which is stiffer. AKG motorsports has a great set of solid engine mounts. These maybe a little harsh for some drivers http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog...Trans%20Mounts
	Appreciate 0 Quote