Alternator belt change

[dunnie]

Any ideas folks,

my 1998 1100 has done 66k now and is shortly doing off across to europe.......again, yes I know I won't want to come back!!!
Anyway, do you think I should change her drive belt for the alternator......if so is it easy to do and is there anyway of checking it and seeing if it needs changing before I get me spanners out. Any clues would be most appreciated...belt shouldnt be too much either should it???

Thanks very much, roll on retirement and emmigration

 

[Steptoe]

Look i the font of all [URL="http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81897"]WISDOM[/URL] .

 

[Colban]

When was it last changed?.
BWM recommend replacing them at every 36K miles.

 

[dunnie]

belt change

It appears she is fitted with a "long life belt", I will check it before I go to make sure its not cracked. Thanks.each:

 

[DaveS]

I've just come to do mine at 36K miles this morning and it was very shredded with quite a few of the ribs gone, so looks like it should have been done earlier.

It's a very easy job though, the biggest PITA was getting the Hepco & Bekker
engine bars off!

 

[boxer]

My '98 1100 had 83k miles on the OE belt and it still looked good so I'd say inspect then decide.

 

[Ady00]

Change it.......and still take a spare

 

[Brianv]

I'd agree with changing an 83K belt now. I had a belt, also on a '98 1100 that did 86K before I changed it and similarly there was no apparent damage. But a mate of mine with an RT had a belt break at 33K so there's no logic to it. co-incidentaly I'm in the middle of changing the belt on my 1150 at the moment.
Cheers Brian V

 

[fatnfast]

BMW now say to change it at the 24000 mile service. Did mine, old one still looked good so I now have a decent spare.

 

[pomm001]

I've just come to do mine at 36K miles this morning and it was very shredded with quite a few of the ribs gone, so looks like it should have been done earlier.

It's a very easy job though, the biggest PITA was getting the Hepco & Bekker
engine bars off!

I questioned if the belt on my bike should be changed at such a low mileage, ( 24 k )Steptoe advised to do it.
i took the cover off and it was on its way out, which supprised me a bit as the belt on my car has done 84k now. a little latter i was doing some work with Contitech Germany who develop the belt and took my 24 k belt for him to inspect and report back. In a very diplomatic way i was told that the condition of the belt was to be expected at that mileage , and conforms to the design brief from BMW, asked if they could make one that lasted for 100k miles, yes.

Which in real speak means that it was designed to meet a price its a very ( low tech) belt to start with ?

 

[Hay Ewe]

probably a bit late for this but if any one else is reading.....

woudl you rather be trying to change it in teh middle of the morning, in the rain, on the side of a road some where, or change it at home at a palnned time with most likely more tools avaible

and take a spare......

and dont change it the day before you go..... have it run in a few miles before you go jsut in case......

I fact, i don't service the bike in teh week before I go, do it all before so that there is no rush and if any thing stops you still have time to fix it up

Hay Ewe

 

[Colban]

Take a close look at the belt pulleys for wear/damage to the ribs.
That can easily shred a belt.
I changed my drivebelt at 42K miles and still keep it for a spare as it was in such a good condition.