E70 BMW X5 4.8i AC Belt Replacement DIY

[@OnTheStreetsWithJM]

thanks much for this video. it was really helpful!!!!

[@rfb6435]

I recommend slotting the bolt exactly as described and then threading a m8 jam nut on the top side. I also had my bolt come out due to vibrations. The bracket was only held by the locking nut and not the tensioner so I definitely had both tight to start with. I just added the jam nut which will never allow that to happen again! This is a better solution IMO than putting the bolt in upside down with a nut.

[@vloniello]

Nice video. I did this a few months back. My ac tensioner actually broke. What I did was flip the Bolt over and thread it topside down and used a nut with blue threadlock from bottom up. I also added a second stop nut. The tensioner had to be driven all the way up on mine. The reason I did the above was the notching didn't work for me the Bolt fell out as it was not driven upwards all the way and tight.

[@devildogae]

Did you replace the belt? Yea I had read where others did the bolt upside down trick. I decided to notch the bolt since I had awesome access to it.

[@zhaoyangxie]

@@devildogae How does the upside down bolt trick work exactly? Also, does the tensioner pulley have to go all the way up and it the "stopper"?

[@devildogae]

@@zhaoyangxie Some people will take the AC tensioner bolt completely out from the bottom and reinsert from the top so they don't have to mess with it again from underneath the vehicle. That also makes things easy. You will need to tighten the AC belt tension screw until you have about 1/2" belt deflection pushing on it with your finger. Then tighten the holding screw so it stays.

[@MikeHensley-sc3ns]

T69 for main belt… t45 for lower ac belt.. but a bear to get to lower… it’s not a straight shit from bottom and hard to get lose.

[@ScoobyAndFriends]

painful but very useful

[@sethfinck3200]

Great video, thanks! How do you determine how tight it should be? (either generally or for a 2010 x5 4.8i)

[@alik8142]

Do you have any information about changing the oil cooler thermostat on those trucks I have the same truck noise coming from the area where is the air conditioner belt is and very bad oil leak on the drive side.

[@devildogae]

Sorry I havn't done this job on this vehicle, but I did see where others have.

[@Picnicman]

I currently have that issue. I believe it’s oil from my transmission. There must be a leak in the hoses or radiator cooler. What was your solution I understand your comment was one year ago.

[@NateRocks]

Next time use a castle nut or a pair of locked nuts instead of cutting into the bolt

[@avocadomexico9767]

So from bottom your saying it's s pain in the ass to get to tensioner bolt? I don't have a dremil tool to notch the top

[@devildogae]

It can be done from the underneath, just going to struggle a little bit maybes

[@jaysunbarr7640]

great video was very helpful - just finished the replacement and added slots the tops of carb adjusting screws on my gas yard equipment as well… keep it up and thank u

[@Montanagreenmachine]

Good vid! Horrible design. Question is how much deflection on the upper side of belt. Dont want to over tighten.