Help! Stranded

[bbs_s52]

Quick info: 87 325is

Alternator belt chewed itself up stuck on the side of the freway. Have an extra belt thank god. What's the easiest way to get this thing on! Do I have to remove the fan?

[Kvasi]

No, loosen the alternator and put the new belt on. Its a 2 min job.

[bbs_s52]

What about the belts in front of it? Do I have to remove those too?

[spdracrm3]

yes you have to remove other belts to get new Alt belt on

if your in a hurry and cant get under car , you can sacrifice other two belts by cutting them to get them out of the way and then just put new alt/wp belt on (slip Alt belt over fan first) to get you home (wont have AC or power steering ) but at least you'll be off the freeway and if alt belt failed other belts probably need replacing any way

[estoguy]

Good rule of thumb is to replace the v-belts when you do a timing belt, since you're in there anyway. Before my E30, I followed that rule with all my VWs and never had a V-belt or serpentine belt break in service. And I've had my E30 for 2.5 years and over 150K km, and two timing belt changes with no belt issues. Unless you install them wrong or they get damaged somehow, the V-belts should last through the lifespan of a timing belt.

[bbs_s52]

yes you have to remove other belts to get new Alt belt on

if your in a hurry and cant get under car , you can sacrifice other two belts by cutting them to get them out of the way and then just put new alt/wp belt on (slip Alt belt over fan first) to get you home (wont have AC or power steering ) but at least you'll be off the freeway and if alt belt failed other belts probably need replacing any way

Thanks Man! That's what I ended up doing to get me home for now

[bbs_s52]

Good rule of thumb is to replace the v-belts when you do a timing belt, since you're in there anyway. Before my E30, I followed that rule with all my VWs and never had a V-belt or serpentine belt break in service. And I've had my E30 for 2.5 years and over 150K km, and two timing belt changes with no belt issues. Unless you install them wrong or they get damaged somehow, the V-belts should last through the lifespan of a timing belt.

I just had everything replaced about 10k miles ago

[estoguy]

Bummer dude... what brand were they? I've always used Conti belts all around, no problems.