[wilsjay]

Can anyone point me to a diy guide for changing mine? I have an '08 335xi I am at 60K miles now and getting ready to do some maintenance. I could not find any DIY's for changing the serpentine belt and would love to take a look at one before tearing into mine!

[Teemo Panda]

I strongly recommend that you take that to a pro Indy because the belt needs specific tension which is not easy.

[SkySoldier]

Originally Posted by Teemo Panda

I strongly recommend that you take that to a pro Indy because the belt needs specific tension which is not easy.

Umm no this is not the case on the N54. Tension is set by an auto tensioner, couldn't be easier.

There's IS a DIY guide floating around the forum somewhere, deleted the bookmark i had on it after I changed mine sorry.

[gtaccord]

Originally Posted by Teemo Panda

I strongly recommend that you take that to a pro Indy because the belt needs specific tension which is not easy.

No it doesn't.

Here's the steps:

1. Remove intake snorkel and intake (if stock)
2. Remove fan (1 bolt, a clip, unplug the power connector and unclip intercooler pipe and lift out)
3. Disconnect front tube that connects the intake to the front turbo from the intake
4. Unbolt front tube from engine block (2 bolts). Do not remove tube just pull towards the front of the car to get it out of the way. You will probably have to unclip some of the lines and hoses that are attached to the tube
5. Use a t60 to relieve tension provided by the tensioner.
6. Remove belt making sure to note the path of the belt around all the pulleys
7. Install new built and put everything back in the reverse order.

It is just like installing a belt on any other car it is just a pain to remove all the stuff that is in the way

[wilsjay]

Thanks gtaccord! That will help. Could really use something with some pics for steps 2-4. Do you know if removing the fan require any special tools?

[Rotorocious]

Fan is cake to remove.
One bolt.

Get the n54 belt tensioner tool. It's about $60 but makes the job super easy and painless.
Making a normal t60 fit in there was a pain in the ass without the tool.

[gtaccord]

Originally Posted by Rotorocious

Fan is cake to remove.
One bolt.

Get the n54 belt tensioner tool. It's about $60 but makes the job super easy and painless.
Making a normal t60 fit in there was a pain in the ass without the tool.
I'll rent it to ya if you are interested.

I just used a pull handle with the t60 and didn't really have a problem. The bmw tool would probably make it easier though.

[Rotorocious]

Originally Posted by gtaccord

I just used a pull handle with the t60 and didn't really have a problem. The bmw tool would probably make it easier though.

I didn't have much room. Before the tool I had a T60 wrench like this.

Used a cheater bar (pipe) to get leverage on it, and I had to remove the rad hose just to be safe that I wouldn't crush it as it got pretty close and started putting pressure on it.
Sounds way more involved than it needed to be.

Did you just use a T60 on a ratchet?
I forget why I had to do it like that above, I think it was because stores were closed (that's all I had) and I had to drive it the next day or something.

Either way, if anyone is interested I'll rent the tool for $5

[wilsjay]

Thanks Rotorocious! I may take you up on that one providing shipping is not too terrible! I live near Cincinnati, OH.

On a different note, I was just planning on replacing the belt as I am at 60K. To date, no issues with noise, etc. but I hear that is a common problem and a friend suggested replacing the idler pulley as well. He then sent me this link:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-335...lts/ES2581868/
Is replacing that all over kill, or would you just do the belt?

[Rotorocious]

Originally Posted by wilsjay

Thanks Rotorocious! I may take you up on that one providing shipping is not too terrible! I live near Cincinnati, OH.

On a different note, I was just planning on replacing the belt as I am at 60K. To date, no issues with noise, etc. but I hear that is a common problem and a friend suggested replacing the idler pulley as well. He then sent me this link:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-335...lts/ES2581868/
Is replacing that all over kill, or would you just do the belt?

I would do it all while you are in there.

[gtaccord]

I did the tensioner and both the idler pulleys at the same time as the belt.

[wilsjay]

Would you go with that kit, and\or think that is a decent price and product? I have never ordered from that site before.

[Rotorocious]

Originally Posted by wilsjay

Would you go with that kit, and\or think that is a decent price and product? I have never ordered from that site before.

I've bought from ecs before without any issues.
It's not a bad price for non oem parts. They'll do just fine.

If you wanted to save some money I bet you could just go to a parts store and order the same parts for a little bit less. Probably not worth the time and gas though.

[gtaccord]

Ecs actually has really competitive prices. I have started to order all of my parts from them.

[wilsjay]

Thanks for the feedback. Guess I will be ordering from them now!