Stumped

[GeoffZ]

Hi Guys. I have finally got round to dismantling the cooling system on my M44 engine Z3 in preparation for installing a new rad, pump and thermostat etc and having got everything out except I am completely stumped as to how to take out the tension on the auxiliary drive belt as I don't seem to have a tensioner pulley as per Haynes for the E36 or from what I could find on previous threads here. Now feeling really stupid and frustrated. Can anyone here point me in the same direction as sanity please?

 

[andyglym]

An expert will be a ling shortly I'm sure but in the mean-time, try this link;

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/tech_main_Z3.htm

 

[GeoffZ]

That's a helpful resource thank you. What I thought was just an idler, appears to be the tensioner once the plastic cap is removed. Tired now so will carry on tomorrow.

 

[Mazza]

This may help?...

 

[GeoffZ]

Well I am missing the top idler pulley though it appears that the tensioner as marked, is correct for mine. I don't understand though how this tensions. Is it released and in so doing, automatically tensions the belt?

 

[Mazza]

If you put a socket on the nut and turn anticlockwise the tensioner will move left and you will take the tension off the belt.
The idler gear was not fitted to all cars. It was added if the car was fitted with air conditioning.

 

[GeoffZ]

Excellent thank you. Whats the procedure for tensioning afterwards?

 

[Mazza]

The unit is preset, you feed the belt round the other pulleys, then with a socket on it, ease the tensioner to the left, put the belt on the tensioner and it takes up all the slack as you release it.

 

[GeoffZ]

Fab, thank you.

 

[Stevo7682]

This will help when you need to take the viscous fan off

View: https://youtu.be/MqnYrIpih2I

 

[GeoffZ]

If you put a socket on the nut and turn anticlockwise the tensioner will move left and you will take the tension off the belt.
The idler gear was not fitted to all cars. It was added if the car was fitted with air conditioning.
View attachment 100820

Is that manual the fabled Bentley manual and if it is, is it terribly rare or expensive to get hold of?

 

[Mazza]

Hi Geoff,
You can get them, sometimes they come up on ebay etc. ( Mine was new £60.00 just over a year ago)

But bear in mind that they were for the American market, so you have to translate into English () and they were for LHD cars. Also some of the electrics differ as their specifications are not the same as Europe.

But I have found it really useful as I was a complete newby/novice 18 months ago. It gives you the basics but you will get a lot of extra detailed info and help from the more knowledgeable forum members.
If in doubt about something, just ask.

 

[GeoffZ]

Hi Geoff,
You can get them, sometimes they come up on ebay etc. ( Mine was new £60.00 just over a year ago)

But bear in mind that they were for the American market, so you have to translate into English () and they were for LHD cars. Also some of the electrics differ as their specifications are not the same as Europe.

But I have found it really useful as I was a complete newby/novice 18 months ago. It gives you the basics but you will get a lot of extra detailed info and help from the more knowledgeable forum members.
If in doubt about something, just ask.
View attachment 100826

Just bought a copy on Amazon. Had a nightmare of a time as I managed to sign up for a free 30 day trial of Prime even though I didn't want it. So I cancelled the free trial Prime only to be awarded and additional free 7 days. So I had to ring them to get it sorted. Anyhow, manual arrives tomorrow but I need a stiff drink now to get over the Amazon experience.