changing all belts...

[SLEEPERracer]

i have a 1985 325e and its time to change the belts. ive been reading some articles on the belts....the timing, a/c, alternator, and powersteering. i know with the timing belt you should replace the tensioner and the waterpump. i think i have the v-style belts since i know for sure i dont have the poly-ribed belts. i was just going to change the timing belt, waterpump and tensioner but i read i had to take out the other 3 belts anyway so might as well replace them while there off. my question is how hard is this job? anybody can give me step by step instructions on how to do this on a 325e? i ordered the parts already...

-timing belt w/ tensioner
-waterpump w/ gasket
-a/c belt
-alternator belt
-powersteering belt

will i need anything else like gasket sealer or stuff like that? thanks for the help!

[RobertK]

If you know what you're doing it should take about 6-7 hours at the most. There is a pretty thorough how-to in the "Stickied" forum at www.e30tech.com.

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1929

[rede30]

Yes you do have to take off the other belts so its a prime thing to change. For me the first time i changed a timing belt on an e30 it was a pain in the ass but i finished. The thing i had trouble with is when reassembling in the correct order. make sure you remember/write down the steps when you take the shit off. My powersteering braket was stripped so i needed to order that, i cant remember if the teeth face in or out but you might be able to see if you need that part also. http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/Mainte.../M20Timing.asp

[JPL]

the hardest part was getting the water pump on with the gasket properly alligned.

[christophbmw]

pull the radiator also, some of you may not agree with me and i know its possible to do it without pulling the radiator but it goes way faster, and the work you do will be MUCH better qaulity if you pull the rad. thats just how i do it and i have this job many times. (save your coolant in a 5 gal bucket and the filter it thru a rag when you put it back in). just my 2 cents.

[AndrewBird]

You shouldn't have to replace the water pump when you replace the timing belt. It might be a good idea just as a maintenance thing, but it isn't required.

The worst part IMO is removing the damn fan. Such a PITA as most of the time they are very stuck on there.

[SLEEPERracer]

thanks guys for giving me advice on this job....

[drshoebocks]

You'll need a 32mm box wrench to get the fan off. Check your coolant hoses, because you have to take them off as well, and its a good time to change them. Also might think about doing new distributor cap and rotor, again because they're coming off as well. Take your time and you'll have no problems.

[Digitalwave]

I did this same thing over the summer. It only took about 4 hours and I removed the radiator and the hood to make it easier. I didn't align the water pump gasket up well aparently though, because I am dripping about 1/2 a gallon of coolant every month :curse:

[DoriftuEvo]

Get the fan clutch off before removing any belts. That's what I learned this weekend.