Serpentine Belt Failure

TonyDangH · 08-13-2012, 04:31 PM

Hello, I have a 2008 BMW 335i. I was installing an exhaust on my car and I notice a long piece of rubber hanging from underneath my car.

I pulled on it and notice it was a belt. I look in the engine bay and saw that the that only half serpentine belt was left on the drive pulley and the other half been ripped off.

I took it to a dealer and they told me that its not covered under CPO.

I called another dealer and they told me that it could be cover but they have to look at it first to determine if it is.

I was wondering if anyone had this cover CPO warranty?

If not is this a easy DIY? I changed drive pulley belts on Japanese and American cars but never a BMW.

Thanks

Blackhawk36 · 08-13-2012, 05:20 PM

It is an easy DIY but based on your description of the belt, check to see if your power steering pump pulley is damaged from banging on the front suspension carriage. It is a known problem due to defective drivers side engine mounts. It shreds the belt.

The job is very easy. Remove the fan (one screw and electrical connector, loosen the air duct on the front of the engine (2 bolts). Then you need a T60 Torx socket to loosen the tension and remove the belt.

marv85 · 08-13-2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackhawk36

It is an easy DIY but based on your description of the belt, check to see if your power steering pump pulley is damaged from banging on the front suspension carriage. It is a known problem due to defective drivers side engine mounts. It shreds the belt.

The job is very easy. Remove the fan (one screw and electrical connector, loosen the air duct on the front of the engine (2 bolts). Then you need a T60 Torx socket to loosen the tension and remove the belt.

Dude, did you get to the bottom of that clunk?

another question, the drivers side engine mounts. Are they defective on certain years only? I'm asking because I will change to the newer one. My steering pump was kinda loose which caused the belt to shred.

TonyDangH · 08-14-2012, 01:28 PM

My car is at the dealer and they just inform that the pulley is cracked in half and only half a belt is left on.

They estimated that the repair will be cost about $4,000 because it will need the new redesign subframe to fix this problem completely.

I told them that this is a design flaw and they told me BMW is not stating that it is, and that there is a new redesign subframe that will fix this problem completely.

Doesn't this mean that there is a design flaw with the initial subframe?

I am so disappointed now with BMW. I'm going to contact a lawyer tonight and see what can be done.

enrita · 08-15-2012, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDangH

My car is at the dealer and they just inform that the pulley is cracked in half and only half a belt is left on.

They estimated that the repair will be cost about $4,000 because it will need the new redesign subframe to fix this problem completely.

I told them that this is a design flaw and they told me BMW is not stating that it is, and that there is a new redesign subframe that will fix this problem completely.

Doesn't this mean that there is a design flaw with the initial subframe?

I am so disappointed now with BMW. I'm going to contact a lawyer tonight and see what can be done.

yes its a design flaw.

darkw1sh · 08-15-2012, 12:20 PM

I recommend you look into my post same shit happened to me but worse ... I'm on the bimmerpost app on my phone ... otherwise I would post a link currently fighting with bmwna to get this resolved... if more people bring this to their attention there maybe a recall already a service bulletin out for it... a lot of parts need to be exchanged to do this right and they are quoting me for everything 6 k ... I am at 104k on the car and will fight with bmwna to the death on this one.

335iSSA · 08-15-2012, 08:29 PM

It's interesting that the subframe, motor mounts part numbers are the same for early build cars and later build cars. A simple fix might be to make the PS pulley a bit smaller.

TonyDangH · 08-15-2012, 08:31 PM

Well NABMW told me that they will pay for parts and I will have to pay for labor which is 1100.

I accepted the offer as I have no time to fighting for a better deal and I need my car for work and my personal life.

I am hoping that a class action lawsuit will come from this issue and I will be reimburse for the labor I paid for.

This is wrong and horrible for BMW to do this. They should own up to there mistake.

dominick · 08-15-2012, 11:53 PM

Happen to me. BMW said the same shit!! Had to pay a 1000.00 to fix somthing that they should have never happen!!!

dominick · 08-15-2012, 11:54 PM

If anyone is starting a lawsuit please put me on the List!

ar design II · 08-16-2012, 12:00 AM

.....interesting........

Blackhawk36 · 08-16-2012, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marv85

Dude, did you get to the bottom of that clunk?

another question, the drivers side engine mounts. Are they defective on certain years only? I'm asking because I will change to the newer one. My steering pump was kinda loose which caused the belt to shred.

I am waiting on a new alternator pulley from Germany. I think the engine mount issue is only cars produced up until 7/2008.

johmei · 08-17-2012, 05:02 AM

Subscribed! Is there any action we can take to prevent this problem without spending too much $$$?

TonyDangH · 08-17-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dominick

Happen to me. BMW said the same shit!! Had to pay a 1000.00 to fix somthing that they should have never happen!!!

Did you end up paying?

OrenGold · 08-17-2012, 10:45 AM

I no the problem it happened to me twice it's. 30 dollar fix plus a new belt its the pully I forgot the name of it but it's the smallest one to the fair right when facing the car maybe that will help

secretsquirrel · 08-17-2012, 10:51 AM

We need to stay on this topic and maybe join forces with the guys from the other forum (gasp!) to get our numbers up.

dominick · 08-17-2012, 10:28 PM

Yes I had to pay. Someone should do a DIY on this.

darkw1sh · 08-27-2012, 09:42 PM

I am thinking of pursuing this further and filing a class action lawsuit. if anyone would be able to assist and point me in the right direction please let me know. BMWNA has been nothing but a pain to deal with and they are constantly miss advising me. Can i take them to small claims?

badass335 · 08-28-2012, 10:19 AM

I had the same thing happen except in my case, a pulley actually hit the subframe, shredded my belts and bits of the belt somehow got inside the valve cover.

BMW dealer, and BMW Canada, didn't think twice! Had a new subframe, and new engine block installed under warranty!

On the flip side, had a noisy pulley which turned out to be alternator, power steering pump and idler pulley a few years later. This cost me as my car is out of warranty now. I believe the final bill was $4100 with labor.

fenixxishot · 10-20-2012, 06:21 PM

Well this just happened to me yesterday night. The belt was completely shredded and pieces of it went every where. Plus somehow my everything is covered in grease/oil now. I know I can replace the serpentine belt myself however I don't want this to happen again do I take it to the dealer and try to get BMWNA to pay? My car was a 04/08 build but I have 67k miles right now. Thoughts?

E90Company · 10-20-2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenixxishot

Well this just happened to me yesterday night. The belt was completely shredded and pieces of it went every where. Plus somehow my everything is covered in grease/oil now. I know I can replace the serpentine belt myself however I don't want this to happen again do I take it to the dealer and try to get BMWNA to pay? My car was a 04/08 build but I have 67k miles right now. Thoughts?

I believe your build date is the cutoff date that is covered.

Electric · 01-31-2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Company

I believe your build date is the cutoff date that is covered.

Can you explain that?

This also just happened to me yesterday, I was sitting at a stop light and battery light came on and power steering stopped working, I figured serpentine belt just came off, but I did see a shred. Got it towed to BMW and they are looking at it now... the guy said if just the belt snapped the CPO wont cover it but if a pulley failed the CPO will cover it. So I am pending what the dealer says. From visual inspection I did not see any frame damage in there and it wasn't really a much of a mess. Hoping just a belt and pulley, but I am concerned this will happen again... I'm certainly not paying them 2000-4000 to "change the sub-frame" that is preposterous.

My car is a 2007 with 53k miles, CPO.

08-13-2012, 04:31 PM	#1
TonyDangH Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Sport Package Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Fountain Valley iTrader: (4)	Serpentine Belt Failure Hello, I have a 2008 BMW 335i. I was installing an exhaust on my car and I notice a long piece of rubber hanging from underneath my car. I pulled on it and notice it was a belt. I look in the engine bay and saw that the that only half serpentine belt was left on the drive pulley and the other half been ripped off. I took it to a dealer and they told me that its not covered under CPO. I called another dealer and they told me that it could be cover but they have to look at it first to determine if it is. I was wondering if anyone had this cover CPO warranty? If not is this a easy DIY? I changed drive pulley belts on Japanese and American cars but never a BMW. Thanks __________________ 2008 E90 335i, Cobb Ap, ETS CP with TiAL Q BOV, Cyba Air Scoops, BMS OCC, M3 Rep. Front, V-Lip, M-tech Rear, BMW Performance Kidney Grill, M-Tech trunk Spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, OEM Blacklines, H&R Sports, Koni Yellow Sports And Apec EC-7. Last edited by TonyDangH; 08-14-2012 at 01:28 PM..
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08-13-2012, 05:20 PM	#2
Blackhawk36 Captain 31 Rep 644 Posts Drives: 2007 335i 6MT No iDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	It is an easy DIY but based on your description of the belt, check to see if your power steering pump pulley is damaged from banging on the front suspension carriage. It is a known problem due to defective drivers side engine mounts. It shreds the belt. The job is very easy. Remove the fan (one screw and electrical connector, loosen the air duct on the front of the engine (2 bolts). Then you need a T60 Torx socket to loosen the tension and remove the belt.
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08-14-2012, 01:28 PM	#4
TonyDangH Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Sport Package Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Fountain Valley iTrader: (4)	My car is at the dealer and they just inform that the pulley is cracked in half and only half a belt is left on. They estimated that the repair will be cost about $4,000 because it will need the new redesign subframe to fix this problem completely. I told them that this is a design flaw and they told me BMW is not stating that it is, and that there is a new redesign subframe that will fix this problem completely. Doesn't this mean that there is a design flaw with the initial subframe? I am so disappointed now with BMW. I'm going to contact a lawyer tonight and see what can be done. __________________ 2008 E90 335i, Cobb Ap, ETS CP with TiAL Q BOV, Cyba Air Scoops, BMS OCC, M3 Rep. Front, V-Lip, M-tech Rear, BMW Performance Kidney Grill, M-Tech trunk Spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, OEM Blacklines, H&R Sports, Koni Yellow Sports And Apec EC-7.
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08-15-2012, 12:20 PM	#6
darkw1sh Captain 93 Rep 740 Posts Drives: 2002 E46 ///M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Los Angeles/Woodland Hills/Thousand Oaks/ *Santa Cruz* iTrader: (23)	I recommend you look into my post same shit happened to me but worse ... I'm on the bimmerpost app on my phone ... otherwise I would post a link currently fighting with bmwna to get this resolved... if more people bring this to their attention there maybe a recall already a service bulletin out for it... a lot of parts need to be exchanged to do this right and they are quoting me for everything 6 k ... I am at 104k on the car and will fight with bmwna to the death on this one.
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08-15-2012, 08:29 PM	#7
335iSSA Captain 15 Rep 603 Posts Drives: 07' E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Frederick, MD iTrader: (10)	It's interesting that the subframe, motor mounts part numbers are the same for early build cars and later build cars. A simple fix might be to make the PS pulley a bit smaller.
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08-15-2012, 08:31 PM	#8
TonyDangH Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Sport Package Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Fountain Valley iTrader: (4)	Well NABMW told me that they will pay for parts and I will have to pay for labor which is 1100. I accepted the offer as I have no time to fighting for a better deal and I need my car for work and my personal life. I am hoping that a class action lawsuit will come from this issue and I will be reimburse for the labor I paid for. This is wrong and horrible for BMW to do this. They should own up to there mistake. __________________ 2008 E90 335i, Cobb Ap, ETS CP with TiAL Q BOV, Cyba Air Scoops, BMS OCC, M3 Rep. Front, V-Lip, M-tech Rear, BMW Performance Kidney Grill, M-Tech trunk Spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, OEM Blacklines, H&R Sports, Koni Yellow Sports And Apec EC-7.
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08-15-2012, 11:53 PM	#9
dominick Private First Class 1 Rep 119 Posts Drives: 08 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: S. Florida iTrader: (2)	Happen to me. BMW said the same shit!! Had to pay a 1000.00 to fix somthing that they should have never happen!!!
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08-15-2012, 11:54 PM	#10
dominick Private First Class 1 Rep 119 Posts Drives: 08 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: S. Florida iTrader: (2)	If anyone is starting a lawsuit please put me on the List!
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08-16-2012, 12:00 AM	#11
ar design II Captain 45 Rep 773 Posts Drives: which one? Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (1)	.....interesting........
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08-17-2012, 05:02 AM	#13
johmei Private First Class 6 Rep 180 Posts Drives: BMW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sweden iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 BMW E90 M3 ZCP [0.00] 2007 BMW E92 335i [0.00]	Subscribed! Is there any action we can take to prevent this problem without spending too much $$$?
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08-17-2012, 10:45 AM	#15
OrenGold Private 2 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2007 335i ,black sapphire Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Fortlee,NJ iTrader: (1)	I no the problem it happened to me twice it's. 30 dollar fix plus a new belt its the pully I forgot the name of it but it's the smallest one to the fair right when facing the car maybe that will help
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08-17-2012, 10:51 AM	#16
secretsquirrel Colonel 157 Rep 2,326 Posts Drives: f80 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Far North Dallas iTrader: (2)	We need to stay on this topic and maybe join forces with the guys from the other forum (gasp!) to get our numbers up.
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08-17-2012, 10:28 PM	#17
dominick Private First Class 1 Rep 119 Posts Drives: 08 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: S. Florida iTrader: (2)	Yes I had to pay. Someone should do a DIY on this.
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08-27-2012, 09:42 PM	#18
darkw1sh Captain 93 Rep 740 Posts Drives: 2002 E46 ///M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Los Angeles/Woodland Hills/Thousand Oaks/ *Santa Cruz* iTrader: (23)	I am thinking of pursuing this further and filing a class action lawsuit. if anyone would be able to assist and point me in the right direction please let me know. BMWNA has been nothing but a pain to deal with and they are constantly miss advising me. Can i take them to small claims?
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08-28-2012, 10:19 AM	#19
badass335 Lieutenant Colonel 116 Rep 1,948 Posts Drives: 2017 540i Xdrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Surrey, BC iTrader: (10)	I had the same thing happen except in my case, a pulley actually hit the subframe, shredded my belts and bits of the belt somehow got inside the valve cover. BMW dealer, and BMW Canada, didn't think twice! Had a new subframe, and new engine block installed under warranty! On the flip side, had a noisy pulley which turned out to be alternator, power steering pump and idler pulley a few years later. This cost me as my car is out of warranty now. I believe the final bill was $4100 with labor.
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10-20-2012, 06:21 PM	#20
fenixxishot Lieutenant 20 Rep 512 Posts Drives: 08 335i e92 AW MT Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (8)	Well this just happened to me yesterday night. The belt was completely shredded and pieces of it went every where. Plus somehow my everything is covered in grease/oil now. I know I can replace the serpentine belt myself however I don't want this to happen again do I take it to the dealer and try to get BMWNA to pay? My car was a 04/08 build but I have 67k miles right now. Thoughts?
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