TorqFix

Except E 60 - M54/M52TU belt — BMW

Except E 60 - M54/M52TU belt on BMW: 35 steps, engines M52B20TU, M52B25TU, M52B28TU, M54B22. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.

This is ancillary belt replacement on the M52TU and M54 straight-sixes (M52B20TU to M52B28TU, M54B22, M54B25, M54B30) across the 3 and 5 Series variants listed, excluding the E60. There are two belts: the air-conditioning compressor belt at the front and the alternator belt behind it, so the AC belt always comes off first and goes back on last. Before that the splash guards are removed and the fan with its viscous coupling taken off using the special tools; the coupling nut has a left-hand thread. Each tensioner pulley is released, two tensioner types exist, and on refit the belts are routed, the tensioners allowed back and seal caps refitted. If an old belt is going back on, mark its running direction first.

35 steps 6 engine codes

🧭 Before you start

Remove the splash guards and the viscous fan (left-hand thread). Release the AC belt tensioner and remove that belt, then remove the sealing cap, release the alternator belt tensioner and take that belt off. Fit the alternator belt first, tension it and refit the seal cap, then fit the AC belt and its tensioner. Check that both belts sit correctly in every pulley groove before refitting the fan and guards.

Fits: platform codes 2.0I, |, 2.2I, 2.5I, 2.8I, 3.0I, 320I, CI, 323I, 323TI, COMPACT, 325I, 325TI, 325XI, 328I, 330I, 330XI, 520I, 523I, 525I, 528I, 530I, 728I, IL, 730I, LI

Don't miss

  • The viscous coupling nut has a left-hand thread; use the holding tools rather than striking the fan.
  • Mark rotation direction on a belt being reused and refit it running the same way.
  • Identify which of the two tensioner types is fitted before releasing it.
  • After fitting, check every rib is seated on each pulley before running the engine.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

M52B20TUM52B25TUM52B28TUM54B22M54B25M54B30

📐 99 workshop diagrams for M52B20TU

Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.

Except E 60 - M54/M52TU belt — M52B20TU · diagram 1
Except E 60 - M54/M52TU belt — M52B20TU · diagram 2
Except E 60 - M54/M52TU belt — M52B20TU · diagram 3
Except E 60 - M54/M52TU belt — M52B20TU · diagram 4
Except E 60 - M54/M52TU belt — M52B20TU · diagram 5
Except E 60 - M54/M52TU belt — M52B20TU · diagram 6
Except E 60 - M54/M52TU belt — M52B20TU · diagram 7
Except E 60 - M54/M52TU belt — M52B20TU · diagram 8
+ 91 more diagrams
🔒 99 workshop diagrams for this job Ask about your BMW M52B20TU — free or sign up free to see the drawings

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

  1. Note: At removal, mark the direction of rotation; when refitting ensure the drive belt rotates in the same direction
  2. Remove the splash guards
  3. Remove the fan and viscous coupling
  4. Note: Left-hand thread
  5. Use the special tools
M52B20TU? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →
  1. Release the tensioner pulley
  2. Remove the air-conditioning drive belt
  3. Type 1:
  4. Type 2:
  5. Remove the sealing cap
  6. Release the tensioner pulley
  7. Remove the alternator drive belt
  8. Use the special tools

Installation and checks

  1. Refit the alternator belt
  2. Tension the tensioner pulley
  3. Refit the seal cap(s)
  4. Check for correct fitting
  5. Type 1:
  6. Type 2:
  7. Tension the tensioner pulley
  8. Refit the air-conditioning drive belt
  9. Refit the splash guards
Workshop diagrams

Ask TorqFix about your BMW M52B20TU — it answers with the exact sequence for that engine and the workshop drawing for each step. First question is free after a 20-second sign-up, no card.

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Who makes these pages, and how

TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.

The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.

Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.

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Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.