v belt - little cracks!

pedro20001 · Post by **pedro20001** » Sun 09 Oct, 2011 18:39

evening all, just noticed some small cracks in the v belt. my question is can i change it without buying a new tensioner or do i need to replace both? the only reason i ask is that when my e36 2.0 went into bmw a few years ago the same was spotted and thwy only replaced the belt and that was at 65k; my zed has done 40k. cheers, pete

msassoon · Post by **msassoon** » Sun 09 Oct, 2011 20:56

I've always replaced the tensioner with the belt, you never know when they were last done.

Mr Silver · Post by **Mr Silver** » Mon 10 Oct, 2011 10:22

No, you don't need to replace the tenshioner. However, change the belt now as a matter of urgency. If deterioration is visible in the belt change it ASAP. I would not start the engine again before it's changed.

I wonder if I got my message across...?

Regards.

z3steve · Post by **z3steve** » Mon 10 Oct, 2011 16:38

Excuse my ignorance but what and where is the 'v' belt????

Steve

Hard Top · Post by **Hard Top** » Mon 10 Oct, 2011 18:38

z3steve wrote:Excuse my ignorance but what and where is the 'v' belt????

Steve

Part # 1

http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/Z3/Ro ... ernator-2/

stu · Post by **stu** » Mon 10 Oct, 2011 20:35

Poly V belt isn't critical AFAIK as it drives ancilliaries only.

Small cracks also wouldn't be a major cause of concern to me, but might be worth getting changed at the next service. If you can see re-inforcing cords inside, it's more serious.

Tensioner replacement also seems overkill to me.

My old 328 had over 210k miles when it went and never needed a tensioner, but had received a new belt.