Replacing drive belt for alternator (B48 and B46 engine) (Cooper S and John Cooper Works)

Attention! 

Risk of damage to the vibration absorber if the exact installation position is not observed.

Running the engine without a drive belt is not permitted.

Attention! 

Check the drive belt for coolant and oil residue and replace if necessary.

Preliminary work needed: 

• Remove suspension cross-brace
• Remove ALTERNATOR .
• Remove the VIBRATION DAMPER .
• Release DRIVE BELT FOR ALTERNATOR .

Removal: 

Figure shows the routing of the drive belt (1).

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Feed out the drive belt (1) from the top at the air conditioning compressor (2) and the water pump (3).

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Feed out the drive belt (1) from the bottom at the belt tensioner (2) and the idler pulley (3) and remove.

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Installation: 

Position drive belt (1) from the bottom over the belt tensioner (2) and the idler pulley (3).

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Position drive belt (1) from the top over the air conditioning compressor (2) and the water pump (3).

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Figure shows the routing of the drive belt (1).

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Required follow-up work: 

• Install the strut brace
• Install ALTERNATOR .
• Install VIBRATION DAMPER .
• Tension DRIVE BELT FOR ALTERNATOR .