BMW Part question

seanie500

Question there on BMW E36

What is the name of the part (something belt) that works with contolling the water pump, the battery think it may have something to do with tempature/electrics. sorry for being so vague had soem work done on car and guy said that belt is very worn

any one know what i'm on about?!

Medlar

theres a couple of belts in your car fella, what work did you have done?? your timing belt needs to be done every 100k mls, if your car has more mileage then this, and hasnt had the timing belt done, get it done ASAP.if its the fanbelt, its not as major.either way, if the belts are worn, get them replaced asap.if they snap, they could destroy your engine.

seanie500

No it's not the timing belt correct me if i'm wrong but on the E36's it's a chain not a belt so it doesnt need to be replaced. If it was the timing belt does it affect the water pump and power coming from the battery? perhaps the chain is so worn that it needs to be replaced? anyone know? definitely not the fan belt would have remembered that one!

Anan1

The fan belt is another name for the alternator belt, which drives things like the a/c compressor too. On many cars the water pump is driven off the timing belt/chain. Timing belts are also called cambelts. Any of these sound familiar?

Darragh29

Medlar wrote: »

theres a couple of belts in your car fella, what work did you have done?? your timing belt needs to be done every 100k mls, if your car has more mileage then this, and hasnt had the timing belt done, get it done ASAP.if its the fanbelt, its not as major.either way, if the belts are worn, get them replaced asap.if they snap, they could destroy your engine.

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

seanie500

Anan1 wrote: »

The fan belt is another name for the alternator belt, which drives things like the a/c compressor too. On many cars the water pump is driven off the timing belt/chain. Timing belts are also called cambelts. Any of these sound familiar?

Well the guy did mention that it will affect the water pump so based on what u say it may mean the timing belt/chain. So my question then is even though the E36 has a timing chain as opposed to a timing belt is it common for this to wear and need replacement?

DublinDilbert

It sounds like the serpentine belt which runs the water pump and alternator...

The belt is about €12 and takes about 5 mins to fit...

Mr.David

Ring the guy today and ask him.

Everyone here is very helpful and will have a go at telling you what it is, but at the end of the day we cannot really and this could potentially cost you thousands of euros if the timing chain failed (which it can). So call him and get clarification

macnab

I would be 99% certain that he is talking about the Serpantine belt, also known as the fan belt. They sometimes make a squeaking noise when they are past their best. Get it done soon, it went on my M5 as I was going into a fast tight bend and I lost the power steering amongst some other services, that was a hairy moment that I dont want to go through again. Also if the belt goes it will take at least 30minutes to remove the debris from the engine bay. Its a 10minute job otherwise.

bonham23

I'd say its the waterpump/alternator belt:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BE71&mospid=47426&btnr=11_1522&hg=11&fg=18&hl=1

Notch000

There is no timing belt on a E36
AFIK there is also no fan belt either, the fan runs directly off the engine drive

DM-BM

4 cylinder 8v e36s from '91-'93 do have a timing belt.

All e36 6 cylinder models and 4 cylinder models from '93 (september on, i think ) have timing chains.

All timing chain models, use a fan belt to drive the water pump, alternator, and power steering pump, and a seperate belt to the drive air con compressor.

I can't remember how the water pump is driven on the early (91-93) 4 cylinder 8v engines.

What year and model is your car?

Masada

be sure to change the tensioner aswell as the belt, that can squeek like mad when it fails.,
the best should be about a tenner and the tensioner isnt much more.,

seanie500

DM-BM wrote: »

4 cylinder 8v e36s from '91-'93 do have a timing belt.

All e36 6 cylinder models and 4 cylinder models from '93 (september on, i think ) have timing chains.

All timing chain models, use a fan belt to drive the water pump, alternator, and power steering pump, and a seperate belt to the drive air con compressor.

I can't remember how the water pump is driven on the early (91-93) 4 cylinder 8v engines.

What year and model is your car?

Its a 97 E 36 1.8 not sure what cylinder it is though

must be fan /serpentine belt so better give hima shout pronto so