How to Replace Serpentine Belt 97-06 BMW 325Xi

Difficulty: Advanced · About 80 min · Bmw 325xi

Replace the serpentine belt, including removing the radiator fan and shroud for access, on a 1997-2006 BMW 325Xi.

Steps

1. Remove the radiator fan and shroud

   Disconnect the negative battery cable by loosening its 10mm nut, remove the air collector's push pin retainers and take it off, disconnect the two electrical connectors on the passenger side of the fan shroud, remove the shroud's T25 screw on that side and its push pin retainer on the driver side, loosen the reverse-threaded fan clutch with a fan clutch wrench, then remove the fan and shroud together.

2. Remove the old belt

   Turn the A/C belt tensioner clockwise with a 16mm socket and remove that belt, release the tensioner, loosen the main serpentine tensioner with the 16mm socket, insert a pin through its holding holes, then remove the belt.

3. Install the new belt

   Route the belt over the crank pulley, around the power steering pulley, around the tensioner pulley, back to the water pump pulley, over the alternator pulley and under the idler pulley (loosening the tensioner with the 16mm socket to get it under the idler, then pin it and release), then loosen the A/C tensioner, install that belt around the crank and A/C pulleys and over its tensioner pulley, and release the tensioner.

4. Install the radiator fan and shroud

   Lower the fan and shroud together, tighten the fan clutch onto the water pump pulley clockwise and torque it to about 22-29 ft-lb if possible, refit the shroud's driver-side push pin and passenger-side T25 screw, reconnect the two electrical connectors, reinsert the air collector and secure its push pins, then reconnect the negative battery cable and tighten its 10mm nut.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.