T-Belt question

[E30 Cabrio]

My T-Belt was last done 24k miles ago, but that was also like 7 years ago.

Am I pushing it?

I realize that BMW recommends something like 50K / 5 years, but I only have 24K on mine but since the car has such low miles (116K) and averages only about 6-7K per year, should I do the T-Belt?

It's not a cheap job and I don't have the time, tools or space, so I would have to pay to have it done which is not cheap.

I've owned this car for 1.5 years and have only put 6K on it.

[Dave]

The 250 or so it will cost you to have it done is much less than the cost to have the head re-done if it snaps.

You need to do it. No question.

There has to be someone on the board here who is near you and would be willing to do it for you for less than a shop charges, or who would lend you the place, tools and a hand in doing it yourself.

EDIT: Try baye30.net - those are mostly NorCal guys - you might find someone there who can help you out.

[Sean]

Yea, agree with Dave. I'm not goin to go past 55k or 5 yrs with mine - I'm sure I'll hit 55k before that. But, definitely change it. It's cheap to have done, and it insures that you won't be destroying you motor anytime soon.

If it does break though, let me know, my friend will take the car off your hands for cheap. ;)

[e30325ic]

Change it. They are cheap . You need to find someone to help you do it. It doesn't take that long. The first one I ever did only to 2 1/2 hours including having to make a thin wrench to remove the fan clutch. I am much faster at it now. Dont push your luck with it. I have seen them go with years on them and not miles.

[E30 Cabrio]

I got a quote for $800.00 for parts and labor which is ridiculous.

I'll have to find a place to work on it and spend a weekend doing it on my own.

I have the Bentley, but I'll probably also buy the 101 projects for your 3 series book from Pelican parts which goes into more detail on changing the Tbelt.

[E30 Cabrio]

The 250 or so it will cost you to have it done is much less than the cost to have the head re-done if it snaps.

You need to do it. No question.

There has to be someone on the board here who is near you and would be willing to do it for you for less than a shop charges, or who would lend you the place, tools and a hand in doing it yourself.

EDIT: Try baye30.net - those are mostly NorCal guys - you might find someone there who can help you out.

Hell, if you know of someone that will do it for $250.00 I'd have it done in a heartbeat.

[Sean]

It's really not difficult to to. My brother did it as his first car project ever, and with little help from me, he got it done.

Biggest pain is just making sure coolant doesn't go all over the countryside. I hate draining coolant, gar.

[Danny]

The 250 or so it will cost you to have it done is much less than the cost to have the head re-done if it snaps.

You need to do it. No question.

+1

[Bimmerboy91]

I got a quote for $800.00 for parts and labor which is ridiculous.

I'll have to find a place to work on it and spend a weekend doing it on my own.

I have the Bentley, but I'll probably also buy the 101 projects for your 3 series book from Pelican parts which goes into more detail on changing the Tbelt.

Come here to reno and ill do it for 700 parts and labor lol

[E30 Cabrio]

Come here to reno and ill do it for 700 parts and labor lol

Sure, as long as you pay for the trip to Sparks.

[MR 325]

That should be just over $400 with a new water pump and everything. You're getting raped.

[nando]

$800? fuck, it's like $100 or less in parts, and maybe 4 hours for a lazy mechanic to do. so they're charging you like $175 an hour for labor..

[Bimmerboy91]

Sure, as long as you pay for the trip to Sparks.

sure, as long as the belt doesnt snap on the way here......

on a more serious note, i dont think you should have to pay so much for that kind of job. the belt its self only cost (me) like $20. then the water pump, which is recommended to do at the same time, costs like 35-45 bucks, dont remember. so total it should cost you like 60 some odd bucks and no more then a couple hours.

check the belt, see if there are any cracks or anything.

[fretburnr]

I just did the job this weekend, had 49k on mine and was super motivated to get it done.

There are writeups around, some with pics... a friend and I did the job in 6 hours, with 3 hours of taking breaks, eating pizza, and generally screwing around. The 3 hours we worked includes lifting the car, draining coolant, removing and replacing the hood, and bleeding the system when done.

This was probably the easiest Tbelt job I've done on any car, and the only special tools you'll need is a 32mm wrench for the reverse-threaded fan clutch nut ($15 from a bicycle shop) and a deep 22mm socket to rotate the engine by hand. If you've ever removed your steering wheel you probably have this socket.

[E30 Cabrio]

Thanks for all the tips. Pelican Parts has a nice write up on their web site complete with color pics, so I will undertake this job soon.

I'm going to put off painting my front air dam and rear spoiler and installing them and this will take priority.

I'm going to make a list of parts I need. I should probably get the Conti belt from the dealer, or at least online and not use any other brand, plus a belt tensioner, water pump and a few other things.