[EdmJunky]

My car's been down for a while due to an ac compressor pulley fail where the pulley basically came off, needless to say the drive belt also came off so that means no alternator. I decided to put off getting a new compressor and started getting some body related work done instead. Big mistake, I won't be able to get the new compressor for another few weeks to a month and I am starting to get very car sick and frankly just want be able to drive again. I looked into whether I'd be able to use a shorter drive belt to bypass compressor pulley at least to get back on the road for the time being. Found this info(http://www.answers.com/Q/Can_you_use..._320i_E90_2008) for an 08 320, can anyone confirm if this would apply to my 09 328 as well?

[EdmJunky]

Well apparently it looks like its possible and has been done.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=562263

Now I just need to figure out what size and brand belt to get. Most of the info there is in reference to an N52 engine, I believe mine is an N51. Wondering if there's much difference in the drive belt area?

[EdmJunky]

Well I did it after about 4 or 5 trips to autozone trying different size belts. To anyone who may be looking for this info in the future. I used a duralast 433k6 belt from autozone and it is working fine. My car has the N51 engine by the way. Only doing this temporarily of course.

[PichaDis11]

This great to know just in case of an emergency and need a car.

[EdmJunky]

Originally Posted by PichaDis11

This great to know just in case of an emergency and need a car.

^ Definitely.

I actually ended up using the Duralast 431k6 instead of the 433, the 433 was a slight bit too loose so it would slip on the tensioner on cold starts and squeal until it warmed up. With the 431k6 the tension was a bit greater and gripped much better without any slipping or squealing. New compressor is already on the way, hopefully I'll have some time off work to do the installation within these upcoming weeks.

[Fusionareous]

which belt will work on a n52 engine in your opinion, is it the same?

[patents]

The engines are nearly identical, I suspect the belts are the same.

[330istocknot]

I am facing the same issue. I tried 433k6, was too tight and couldn't get it under the tension pulley, then 434k6 was also too small, then 436k6 was a little too lose! Bow I'm at 435k6 and seems it's nice fit but I'm having a hard time getting it under the tension pulley? Maybe I'm doing it wrong? Do you have a diagram of how you did it?

[Justmike247]

Originally Posted by EdmJunky

^ Definitely.

I actually ended up using the Duralast 431k6 instead of the 433, the 433 was a slight bit too loose so it would slip on the tensioner on cold starts and squeal until it warmed up. With the 431k6 the tension was a bit greater and gripped much better without any slipping or squealing. New compressor is already on the way, hopefully I'll have some time off work to do the installation within these upcoming weeks.

Mine is squeaking too but i cant get the 431k6 seem to be tight is there a method you used to get it under the tensioner??

right now i have duralast 436k6 on thats causing the squeaking also had 435k6 valucraft on before n made a even worse squeak im guess its from being a cheaper belt but theres nothing else i dont what to do im squeaking everywhere lol

[EdmJunky]

Originally Posted by Justmike247

Mine is squeaking too but i cant get the 431k6 seem to be tight is there a method you used to get it under the tensioner??

right now i have duralast 436k6 on thats causing the squeaking also had 435k6 valucraft on before n made a even worse squeak im guess its from being a cheaper belt but theres nothing else i dont what to do im squeaking everywhere lol

It has been a long time but I think I remember actually loosening/removing the tensioner to install the belt then tighten it back up.