Stuck in Harrisonburg Virginia
 

I'm driving from NJ to NC and this morning I stopped at starbucks and heard something under the hood. The steering got very difficult and the battery light came on. My guess is the V belt on the alternator.

I'm 200 miles from a great mechanic, but if I remember correctly the water pump is driven on that belt as well.

See if you can:

- Remove the tangled mess
- Limp to an auto parts store (You can run on the battery, turn the heater all the way hot full blast, and be prepared to use those arm muscles to steer, stereo off, headlights off)
- If the water temp needle moves slightly off center, shut her down and cool off for a bit. Don't want to do this a ton though, it takes a bit of battery current to start the SAV back up.

Ideally, you'll want to locate your closest auto parts store with your phone, and you can make it if it's 10-15 miles away. Highway speeds are best for cooling. (Ask me how I know.)

Dayco

Alt/PS/WP Belt - 5070640
Tensioner Assy - 89349
Idler Pulley for Alt/PS/WP - 89052

Gates

Alt/PS/WP Belt - K070644
Tensioner Assy - 38218 (Pulleys not included)
Tensioner Pulley for Alt/PS/WP - 38063

NAPA

Alt/PS/WP Belt - 25-070644
Tensioner Assy - 38218 (Pulleys not included)
Tensioner Pulley for Alt/PS/WP - 38063

http://www.xoutpost.com/article/E53%...Y/altbelt1.jpg

http://www.xoutpost.com/article/E53%...Y/altbelt2.jpg



Did the Alt/PS/WP belt take out the AC belt when it went? You don't have to replace it now... just curious. Good luck! I think a couple $20's slipped to the Auto parts guy could get you back on the road.

Yep... that belt has the water pump, alternator and power steering... I just google searched BMW shop in Harrisonburg, VA. and got Mid Atlantic Motorworks 745 E Market St, Harrisonburg, VA‎... It is the nearest dealer to you.

Occasionally the belt will come apart with age, but usually it takes a pulley going out. Hopefully it is just the idler or tensioner and not the waterpump.

Well hell, a BMW shop works too. :D

I was in the Middle of Nowhere, Louisiana (West part of the state on I-10) when my S/C belt tensioner failed. That belt wiped out the other two. What a mess that was on the first day of ownership.

I limped over to Mid Atlantic and they don't open until 9. Across the street is a guy who didn't look too busy. After talking to him briefly we decided to give it a shot. I looked at the directions above and if I can do it, I am sure this guy can.

I am praying it's just belts. It does look like it took the other belt with it.
I will update as we progress.

CT

The guy took the belt off and the shaft holding the fan wobbles. I've seen this before on other cars.

I could not get the pump anywhere locally. I thought Mid Atlantic might have it, but he doesn't, so I have to wait until 1pm for it to arrive an hope the job is done by 5. There is a $200 difference in the labor cost. I hope I'm not being penny wis and pound foolish.

The guy at Mid Atlantic said there are O rings that tend to come off when you remove the water pump and he sort of introduced doubt as to whether the other guy could do the work. When I got back the other guy had the pump off...so I guess he's doing the work.

Should I do the pulley's or can I do this later on my own...the parts guy didn't suggest it and I forgot to ask? What a waste of a friday. I'm going to find a golf course and have some fun today.

CT

Did Mid Atlantic have BMW coolant? Is the parts guy doing the water pump job (on the side) right there in the parking lot? (no service area?) If so, props to him for going out of his way.

So....



how did your golf game go? :)