AA Pulley, a.k.a. Belty McShredsalot

wolftrouble · 02-01-2010, 02:42 PM

Wanted to clarify/comment on a few things here (sorry I've not updated since I posted last night, active thread!)

First off, huge thanks to AA for the quick response. I'll be shooting you an email today Omar (sorry I haven't yet, work's been crazy).

Second, yep, I'm the person who started the last thread, but that was definitely a known issue (as Omar points out) with those older belts. And to AA's credit I had a new one in hand before the old, bad one failed. More testament to their great customer service, maybe not so much to QC.

Third, I have no reason to believe the pulley is bad or broken in any way (nice and easy to tell, it's a solid piece of metal.

). Also, I doubt it's a clearance/tolerance issue since the belt's lasted months - that long, I'd think any rubbing/misalignment would've shown up a lot sooner. It just seems like bad belts.

When I pull this one off I'll take some pics; the old one had worn through at a single spot. From what I can see of this one, it looks cracked and pitted along the ribs, like the rubber is falling apart (this is very, very speculative - without the radiator fan removed I can see at best maybe 3 inches of one side of the belt, so it's very, very difficult to say for sure).

Will keep folks updated.

mvagusta · 02-01-2010, 11:08 PM

I have a march of 08 e 92 mt. I have the aa pulley. It was murder to put on the belt for the alternater. God it took two guys to pull. The problem i had was the other belt for the ac and power steering. I think it's loose. When i turn fast at start it squeals and a little hard feel on steering wheel. I've been driving like this for 10k mile's. I don't want to get into it! I wonder if my belt is toast? I really never looked. If there was a oem supplier that screwed up. I never got a phone call! When i complained about it,they said if i installed it wright? I did it wright. Pm me for a upgraded belt AA please..

major_kusanagi · 02-02-2010, 12:56 AM

Do keep us posted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolftrouble

Wanted to clarify/comment on a few things here (sorry I've not updated since I posted last night, active thread!)

First off, huge thanks to AA for the quick response. I'll be shooting you an email today Omar (sorry I haven't yet, work's been crazy).

Second, yep, I'm the person who started the last thread, but that was definitely a known issue (as Omar points out) with those older belts. And to AA's credit I had a new one in hand before the old, bad one failed. More testament to their great customer service, maybe not so much to QC.

Third, I have no reason to believe the pulley is bad or broken in any way (nice and easy to tell, it's a solid piece of metal.

). Also, I doubt it's a clearance/tolerance issue since the belt's lasted months - that long, I'd think any rubbing/misalignment would've shown up a lot sooner. It just seems like bad belts.

When I pull this one off I'll take some pics; the old one had worn through at a single spot. From what I can see of this one, it looks cracked and pitted along the ribs, like the rubber is falling apart (this is very, very speculative - without the radiator fan removed I can see at best maybe 3 inches of one side of the belt, so it's very, very difficult to say for sure).

Will keep folks updated.

King Tut · 02-02-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolftrouble

When I pull this one off I'll take some pics; the old one had worn through at a single spot. From what I can see of this one, it looks cracked and pitted along the ribs, like the rubber is falling apart (this is very, very speculative - without the radiator fan removed I can see at best maybe 3 inches of one side of the belt, so it's very, very difficult to say for sure).

Please do take pics and post them. I had been running my AA pulley for about 3000 miles, but I never checked the belts.

King Tut · 02-02-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvagusta

I have a march of 08 e 92 mt. I have the aa pulley. It was murder to put on the belt for the alternater. God it took two guys to pull. The problem i had was the other belt for the ac and power steering. I think it's loose. When i turn fast at start it squeals and a little hard feel on steering wheel. I've been driving like this for 10k mile's. I don't want to get into it! I wonder if my belt is toast? I really never looked. If there was a oem supplier that screwed up. I never got a phone call! When i complained about it,they said if i installed it wright? I did it wright. Pm me for a upgraded belt AA please..

If you have a March 2008 M3 then you don't need an upgraded belt. You should have the initial single sided belt setup. The upgraded belt was for the later 2008 models, all DCT models, and all 2009+ models.

JC919 · 02-02-2010, 09:37 AM

20k miles with evosport pulley and no problems so far.

PunjabiM3 · 02-02-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMMorish

Dinan has it on their site, but they haven't shipped out yet. That's the one I'm going with as well. Just because it's the only mod, save for internals, that actually bolts up right to the motor. I'd want something on there that was backed up by warranty just in case.

+1. I see Dinan being the way to go especially since its price is only slightly more than the others and offers similar gains. Plus the warranty coverage seals the deal.

King Tut · 02-02-2010, 12:53 PM

If you guys seriously think that a pulley will damage your engine and you need a "warranty" from Dinan, then should you even install it?

PunjabiM3 · 02-02-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Tut

If you guys seriously think that a pulley will damage your engine and you need a "warranty" from Dinan, then should you even install it?

It's not a matter of what I think, but what BMW thinks.

mvagusta · 02-02-2010, 09:34 PM

I think the belt for the power steering and ac etc. Is the wrong size or company that is making it is not consistant. To many complaints. Let's here from them. Where the belt is being constructed at. i kept on being told i install wrong way.So i gave up after asking and looking at diagrams and asking machanics..

vtm3 · 02-04-2010, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Tut

If you have a March 2008 M3 then you don't need an upgraded belt. You should have the initial single sided belt setup. The upgraded belt was for the later 2008 models, all DCT models, and all 2009+ models.

I don't think the upgraded belt was related to dct, I believe it was for build date only. Can anyone clarify?

tom @ eas · 02-04-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtm3

I don't think the upgraded belt was related to dct, I believe it was for build date only. Can anyone clarify?

5/08+ 6MT models and all DCT use the double-sided belt.

wolftrouble · 02-04-2010, 04:12 PM

HAH.

So I get the new belt (thanks AA) on Tuesday but no time to put it on. The belt's been failing for awhile, thinks I, so I should be fine for a few more days. No need to swap it out yet. I have this corporate retreat thing to go to starting Wednesday (yesterday), so bright and early I hit the road...

And make it to the freeway entrance, in rush hour, before hearing a quiet *clunk* from under the hood. Goodbye, lovely accessory belt, I hardly knew you. No more power steering for me!

Rush home, driving the damn thing like a boat, beg my buddy to let me use his car, and I'm only 15 minutes late. That's what I get for trying to drive a car I knew was having problems!

Anyway, I can say without question the belt was failing, since it has now failed.

I have the new one in hand but I'm in the mountains until Friday, so it'll go on on Saturday. I'll post pics of the old belt as soon as I dig it out.

Edit: The 'thanks AA' was not sarcastic, by the way! They got back to me immediately, and overnighted me a new belt on Monday. That I didn't put it on was my fault (just like last time, hah - read the original thread for an eerily similar sequence of events) but to be crystal clear they had me a new belt before this one ended. Kudos to them!

wolftrouble · 02-06-2010, 08:13 PM

Wow. Ok, so.

The original belt died pretty unspectacularly, wearing through at one part, presumably because it was too loose. This one, though... Well, the pictures kind of speak for themselves. What you don't see is that the entire back of the radiator fan was covered in rubber particles, as was most of the face of the engine. This thing really ate itself.

Nawaaz · 02-06-2010, 08:59 PM

Those are some scary pics.

I'm gonna pay closer attention to my pulley from now on.

Finnegan · 02-06-2010, 09:32 PM

Yes, that is a spectacular failure! Of course it died on the way to the retreat--that was the worst possible time, right? (That's the way things go....)

Hopefully this new new belt will be unspectacular by not failing.

xxe92xx · 03-08-2010, 07:30 PM

im guessing all the aftermarket crank pullies are about the same size....so what are the correct belt sizes for a 2008? wouldnt the stock belt (which are way nicer and thicker) fit since you are just replacing the crank pulley?

chd2 · 03-08-2010, 07:37 PM

+1 rogue...you can get the belt from any parts supplier. Different brands make the belt too. Sorry you are having issues mate!

xxe92xx · 03-08-2010, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chd2

+1 rogue...you can get the belt from any parts supplier. Different brands make the belt too. Sorry you are having issues mate!

no shit....hes saying that the aftermarket belts supplied were shitty and i too have experienced the shittyness of the belts....so my question is would the stock belts fit on an aftermarket crank pulley? ill be checking this out tomorrow just wondering

CATCH_M3 · 03-08-2010, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxe92xx

no shit....hes saying that the aftermarket belts supplied were shitty and i too have experienced the shittyness of the belts....so my question is would the stock belts fit on an aftermarket crank pulley? ill be checking this out tomorrow just wondering

Let us know the result!
Thanks

xxe92xx · 03-08-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CATCH_M3

Let us know the result!
Thanks

yeah....i was comparing the 2 belts today and the oem one is so much thicker just makes me nervous using shitty aftermarket belts that are used for fords and pontiacs....

CATCH_M3 · 03-08-2010, 08:38 PM

I think I will contact Rogue about this directly.

02-01-2010, 02:42 PM	#45
wolftrouble Private First Class 16 Rep 148 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	Wanted to clarify/comment on a few things here (sorry I've not updated since I posted last night, active thread!) First off, huge thanks to AA for the quick response. I'll be shooting you an email today Omar (sorry I haven't yet, work's been crazy). Second, yep, I'm the person who started the last thread, but that was definitely a known issue (as Omar points out) with those older belts. And to AA's credit I had a new one in hand before the old, bad one failed. More testament to their great customer service, maybe not so much to QC. Third, I have no reason to believe the pulley is bad or broken in any way (nice and easy to tell, it's a solid piece of metal. ). Also, I doubt it's a clearance/tolerance issue since the belt's lasted months - that long, I'd think any rubbing/misalignment would've shown up a lot sooner. It just seems like bad belts. When I pull this one off I'll take some pics; the old one had worn through at a single spot. From what I can see of this one, it looks cracked and pitted along the ribs, like the rubber is falling apart (this is very, very speculative - without the radiator fan removed I can see at best maybe 3 inches of one side of the belt, so it's very, very difficult to say for sure). Will keep folks updated. __________________
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02-01-2010, 11:08 PM	#46
mvagusta Lieutenant 16 Rep 473 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 coup Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: michigan iTrader: (1)	I have a march of 08 e 92 mt. I have the aa pulley. It was murder to put on the belt for the alternater. God it took two guys to pull. The problem i had was the other belt for the ac and power steering. I think it's loose. When i turn fast at start it squeals and a little hard feel on steering wheel. I've been driving like this for 10k mile's. I don't want to get into it! I wonder if my belt is toast? I really never looked. If there was a oem supplier that screwed up. I never got a phone call! When i complained about it,they said if i installed it wright? I did it wright. Pm me for a upgraded belt AA please..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2010, 09:37 AM	#50
JC919 Lieutenant Colonel 72 Rep 1,804 Posts Drives: CSL Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland iTrader: (0)	20k miles with evosport pulley and no problems so far. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] 2007 GT3 Clubsport w/CGT buckets in Scotland 2003 CSL, SG, Alcon BBK SOLD 2002 M5, SSII/Blk and bone stock. In storage back home in TX 2008 M3, AW/Blk 6MT, lots of track stuff SOLD
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02-02-2010, 12:53 PM	#52
King Tut NASA SpecE30 Racer 82 Rep 1,307 Posts Drives: 2006 Honda S2000 TT3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL iTrader: (2)	If you guys seriously think that a pulley will damage your engine and you need a "warranty" from Dinan, then should you even install it? __________________ King Tut 2012 BMW M3 Individual: Sold lsb.ridedomain.com 1987 BMW 325is SpecE30: spece30.ridedomain.com 2009 BMW M3 Coupe: Sold e92.ridedomain.com
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02-02-2010, 09:34 PM	#54
mvagusta Lieutenant 16 Rep 473 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 coup Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: michigan iTrader: (1)	I think the belt for the power steering and ac etc. Is the wrong size or company that is making it is not consistant. To many complaints. Let's here from them. Where the belt is being constructed at. i kept on being told i install wrong way.So i gave up after asking and looking at diagrams and asking machanics..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-04-2010, 04:12 PM	#57
wolftrouble Private First Class 16 Rep 148 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	HAH. So I get the new belt (thanks AA) on Tuesday but no time to put it on. The belt's been failing for awhile, thinks I, so I should be fine for a few more days. No need to swap it out yet. I have this corporate retreat thing to go to starting Wednesday (yesterday), so bright and early I hit the road... And make it to the freeway entrance, in rush hour, before hearing a quiet clunk from under the hood. Goodbye, lovely accessory belt, I hardly knew you. No more power steering for me! Rush home, driving the damn thing like a boat, beg my buddy to let me use his car, and I'm only 15 minutes late. That's what I get for trying to drive a car I knew was having problems! Anyway, I can say without question the belt was failing, since it has now failed. I have the new one in hand but I'm in the mountains until Friday, so it'll go on on Saturday. I'll post pics of the old belt as soon as I dig it out. Edit: The 'thanks AA' was not sarcastic, by the way! They got back to me immediately, and overnighted me a new belt on Monday. That I didn't put it on was my fault (just like last time, hah - read the original thread for an eerily similar sequence of events) but to be crystal clear they had me a new belt before this one ended. Kudos to them! __________________ Last edited by wolftrouble; 02-04-2010 at 04:13 PM.. Reason: Making sure I'm not misunderstood. :)
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02-06-2010, 08:13 PM	#58
wolftrouble Private First Class 16 Rep 148 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	You'd like pictures? Of which part? Wow. Ok, so. The original belt died pretty unspectacularly, wearing through at one part, presumably because it was too loose. This one, though... Well, the pictures kind of speak for themselves. What you don't see is that the entire back of the radiator fan was covered in rubber particles, as was most of the face of the engine. This thing really ate itself. __________________
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02-06-2010, 08:59 PM	#59
Nawaaz Brigadier General 221 Rep 4,643 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: . iTrader: (0)	Those are some scary pics. I'm gonna pay closer attention to my pulley from now on.
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02-06-2010, 09:32 PM	#60
Finnegan Dog Listener 701 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	Yes, that is a spectacular failure! Of course it died on the way to the retreat--that was the worst possible time, right? (That's the way things go....) Hopefully this new new belt will be unspectacular by *not* failing.
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03-08-2010, 07:30 PM	#61
xxe92xx Banned 37 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (2)	im guessing all the aftermarket crank pullies are about the same size....so what are the correct belt sizes for a 2008? wouldnt the stock belt (which are way nicer and thicker) fit since you are just replacing the crank pulley?
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03-08-2010, 07:37 PM	#62
chd2 Driver 3 Rep 119 Posts Drives: 09 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Seabrook, TX iTrader: (0)	+1 rogue...you can get the belt from any parts supplier. Different brands make the belt too. Sorry you are having issues mate!
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03-08-2010, 08:38 PM	#66
CATCH_M3 Lieutenant 67 Rep 471 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I think I will contact Rogue about this directly.
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