GO FISHING, use SLABSAUCE Fishing Attractant
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Loose timming belt

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Derbyshire, UK
    Posts
    872

    Default

    Did you do the timing belt and tensioner change yourself?

    1997 535i V8
    5spd, OBC, A/C, cruise, BMW phone, factory M-Tech wheel & suspension, 18" Alpinas

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Derbyshire, UK
    Posts
    872

    Default

    If a new belt is loose, I would suspect the tension was set incorrectly when the belt was replaced.

    1997 535i V8
    5spd, OBC, A/C, cruise, BMW phone, factory M-Tech wheel & suspension, 18" Alpinas

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Posts
    153

    Default Loose timming belt

    Ok , so My 1989 525i with m20 engine is at the mechanics. It went in with oil leak. It was a valve gasket. He just called and says the timing belt is very loose, come take a look at it. Now the belt and tensioner was done about 50 miles ago so I can't see it loosening like that? The car has no drive ability symptoms.
    Should I go with another timing belt change? What would cause this?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Posts
    153

    Default Thanks for reply

    No, mechanic friend did it and I was present. I know the parts were new - I bought them myself.
    Is it possible for the belt to loosen up like that and what would be symptoms? I never delt with this particular garage but they come recommended.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Honolulu
    Posts
    3,105

    Default

    Have the mechanic rotate the crank clockwise and see if the timing marks line up on the cam & crank.

    If so, he may just need to reset the tensioner.


    Vee ave vays of dealing vid your kind...........

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Bay Area, CA
    Posts
    395

    Default

    This is why I always do everything myself. Timing belt change with the bentley manual is very doable for your average DIY person.
    Greg Mannino
    Car Audio.Video.Security.Navigation Guru
    Electrical/Mechanical Specialist

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Posts
    153

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Blitzkrieg Bob
    Have the mechanic rotate the crank clockwise and see if the timing marks line up on the cam & crank.

    If so, he may just need to reset the tensioner.
    Thanks Blitzkrieg Bob,
    Can I actually see the marks without taking anything apart? If so where do I exactly look for them?
    Is reseting the tensioner just compressing and releasing the spring?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    159

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by nariusb
    Thanks Blitzkrieg Bob,
    Can I actually see the marks without taking anything apart? If so where do I exactly look for them?
    Is reseting the tensioner just compressing and releasing the spring?
    to see the upper timing mark you need to remove the upper timing belt cover and to do this you need to remove a few components, from memory that would be the distributor and the alternator support bracket.
    It MAY be possible to do it without doing this because the mark on the cam is visible right through the tooth, so if you just release the top 2 securing bolts on the cover you may just be able to push it forward enough to see the tooth mark, i dont know ive only ever done it by having everything removed.
    the tooth shoudl line up with a similar line on the cylinder head at about 1 to 2 oclock
    The lower timing mark is visible, however you may find it easier to first remove the radiator shroud.
    Remember that the lower pully rotates twice for every one of the cam, therefore if you are setting the lower mark first it may take another revolution to make the 2 line up.
    to reset the tensioner depends if the spring is still present, many loose it over the life of the car, if its there then simply release, not remove, the 2 securing bolts and the tensioner should pop to the correct tension, if the spring is missing you will have to manually push the tensioner until you get the correct tension.
    Last edited by billy; 02-20-2008 at 07:54 PM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Posts
    153

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by billy
    to see the upper timing mark you need to remove the upper timing belt cover and to do this you need to remove a few components, from memory that would be the distributor and the alternator support bracket.
    It MAY be possible to do it without doing this because the mark on the cam is visible right through the tooth, so if you just release the top 2 securing bolts on the cover you may just be able to push it forward enough to see the tooth mark, i dont know ive only ever done it by having everything removed.
    the tooth shoudl line up with a similar line on the cylinder head at about 1 to 2 oclock
    The lower timing mark is visible, however you may find it easier to first remove the radiator shroud.
    Remember that the lower pully rotates twice for every one of the cam, therefore if you are setting the lower mark first it may take another revolution to make the 2 line up.
    to reset the tensioner depends if the spring is still present, many loose it over the life of the car, if its there then simply release, not remove, the 2 securing bolts and the tensioner should pop to the correct tension, if the spring is missing you will have to manually push the tensioner unt
    il you get the correct tension.
    Thanks very much,
    It was a tensioner bearing gone and it was loose big time. So another belt and tensioner change. I bought it at bavauto, I wonder if it was made in China?

Similar Threads

  1. setting timming for M30
    By grave77 in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 12-25-2005, 11:50 AM
  2. Belt squeal at low revs, new belt fitted
    By Paul_540i in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-13-2005, 07:48 PM
  3. New Belt Tensioner: Now belt won't fit??
    By Eric Fraser in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 09-09-2004, 09:57 PM
  4. Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-17-2004, 08:20 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •