I think my belt fell off?

2006 BMW 325i Manual Transmission

I just came back from the car wash. After pulling out I noticed the car felt back heavy, then a battery icon came up where the time is displayed, followed by a complete loss of power steering. I don't know much about cars, but it goes into drive and reverse no problem. I opened up the hood and the belt in the front appears to have come off, but appears otherwise intact. Is this just simply a matter of putting the belt back on, or could there be something else in the works? How much would this cost to fix? There is no warranty, so am I better off going to BMW or an Indy shop?

Originally Posted by Bakeremt239

2006 BMW 325i Manual Transmission

I just came back from the car wash. After pulling out I noticed the car felt back heavy, then a battery icon came up where the time is displayed, followed by a complete loss of power steering. I don't know much about cars, but it goes into drive and reverse no problem. I opened up the hood and the belt in the front appears to have come off, but appears otherwise intact. Is this just simply a matter of putting the belt back on, or could there be something else in the works? How much would this cost to fix? There is no warranty, so am I better off going to BMW or an Indy shop?

First of all, in case you did not know stop driving the car. Your running on battery power only, it will run out and leave you stranded. Also, the water pump is not running and you'll overheat the engine.

Anyways, yes it could be that it just needs a belt but that's unlikely. Something probably seized up and caused the belt to go, tensioner, water pump..who knows. Have it towed to your trusted indy

Welcome BTW

I wish the welcome was under better circumstances, but thanks anyway lol. I was lucky enough to be down the block from my house when it happened and was able to throw it halfway into my driveway. Any idea how much this would cost to fix as far as labor? I think I will end up replacing the belt and all the pulleys at once, as it has 96,000 miles as it is. Parts purchased online of course.

Originally Posted by Bakeremt239

I wish the welcome was under better circumstances, but thanks anyway lol. I was lucky enough to be down the block from my house when it happened and was able to throw it halfway into my driveway. Any idea how much this would cost to fix as far as labor? I think I will end up replacing the belt and all the pulleys at once, as it has 96,000 miles as it is. Parts purchased online of course.

Belts are cheap. But you may have had a tensioner fail. You won't know until you get it apart.

Frederic

You don't need to do anything with the pulleys unless one has failed (they usually don't) - and not to be unkind, but you probably don't understand what you're suggesting. Pulleys don't come by themselves - they drive expensive components.

Get the belt back on, which should be within the capability of an automotively inclined friend, then assess the situation. If it pops off again, you do have a problem. At the very least, this is probably a good time to install a new belt. As pointed out above, the belt will have one tensioning pulley - which is spring loaded and can be moved with a tool - and it's not hard to re-thread the belt, release the load on the tensioning pulley, position the belt and let the tensioning pulley go back into place.

My brother has a friend that is a fresh out of school BMW tech, hopefully I can get him to take a look at it tonight. Thanks for the replies guys, I'll keep you posted.

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

You don't need to do anything with the pulleys unless one has failed (they usually don't)

I'll disagree here. If the belt came off, and the belt itself is not damaged, then you absolutely have a problem with a pulley or tensioner. There's no other way that the belt could have come off.

Just throwing the same belt back on without finding the problem is just going to strand you a second time.

Frederic

TXFred is right. You will need a new belt and a tensioner at least. Probably an idler pulley. Cost at an indy should be around $350. DIY about $160 in parts.

Originally Posted by Bakeremt239

I wish the welcome was under better circumstances, but thanks anyway lol. I was lucky enough to be down the block from my house when it happened and was able to throw it halfway into my driveway. Any idea how much this would cost to fix as far as labor? I think I will end up replacing the belt and all the pulleys at once, as it has 96,000 miles as it is. Parts purchased online of course.

At this mileage I'd do the water pump and thermostat replacement as well.

I'd start by putting on a new belt. If the belt is bad it could pop off even if the pulleys and tensioners are fine. The belt is the cheapest fix and if the new one pops off then you'll know there is another problem and belts should be replaced periodically anyway so you're not wasting money.

Just a question. Your post says you have a 2006 325i w/manual transmission, but then you say "it goes into drive and reverse no problem".

Huh?

Originally Posted by BashedBarrique

I'd start by putting on a new belt. If the belt is bad it could pop off even if the pulleys and tensioners are fine. The belt is the cheapest fix and if the new one pops off then you'll know there is another problem and belts should be replaced periodically anyway so you're not wasting money.

Just a question. Your post says you have a 2006 325i w/manual transmission, but then you say "it goes into drive and reverse no problem".

Huh?

The car has 96,000 miles on it. If the tensioner and idler pulley haven't been replaced, they are due. If the belt is thrown off, there is almost always collateral damage. Don't chance it.

Originally Posted by jburke4689

The car has 96,000 miles on it. If the tensioner and idler pulley haven't been replaced, they are due. If the belt is thrown off, there is almost always collateral damage. Don't chance it.

Well, you could just check to see if the pulley and tensioner are OK before replacing them.

I'm a tight wad and real mechanics are more than just parts changers.

Originally Posted by BashedBarrique

I'd start by putting on a new belt. If the belt is bad it could pop off even if the pulleys and tensioners are fine. The belt is the cheapest fix and if the new one pops off then you'll know there is another problem and belts should be replaced periodically anyway so you're not wasting money.

Just a question. Your post says you have a 2006 325i w/manual transmission, but then you say "it goes into drive and reverse no problem".

Huh?

Meant to say it will go in gear and drive.

Originally Posted by Bakeremt239

Meant to say it will go in gear and drive.

Oh, OK.

Originally Posted by dannyc9997

... Also, the water pump is not running and you'll overheat the engine.

Anyways, yes it could be that it just needs a belt but that's unlikely. Something probably seized up and caused the belt to go, tensioner, water pump..who knows. Have it towed to your trusted indy

The E90's engine (the N52) employs an electric water pump so it won't overheat from a failed belt.