New user - 528 threw both belts!

[kiwitouring 0]

Hi there,

I picked up a 1999 528 Touring a couple of weeks ago, Jap import, 149k kms. I had a 330d before (in the UK) and love the 5 series straight 6.

However, in the 13 days I've had it...

1) it over heated (OBC "Coolant Temp" warning) and went into limp mode - I pulled over, switched it off for a bit and then started up and drove home all ok. Didnt use or lose any water - still full in there, no milky white under the oil filler cap. Unlocked KTMP on the instrument cluster, it seems to run 95-100 on the highway and up to 115 in traffic before AUX fan comes alive and cools things down.

AND...

2) on the way home last night, after a brisk bit of uphill driving, it threw both belts! I didnt realise what had happened initially, I had the battery light come on inside, engine still had power, but I had lost power steering. So I pulled over (about 300m further down the road in a safe place), and by this time the temperature gauge was rising - but never hit the red. I didnt have KTMP showing at the time. Under the bonnet - easy to see, my belts NOT on any of the pulleys, but instead all wrapped around the main fan and dangling below. :banghead:

How do the belts just slip off like this?! I have a receipt showing the previous owner had both belts, water pump, thermostat and a coolant change all changed and done just 6 months (4000kms) ago.

I had it towed back to the same garage that did this work and am waiting to see what they say.

What am I looking at here... 2 belts, new pulleys / idlers / tensioners? Something failed and gone stiff enough to jolt the belt off?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Kiwitouring

[yng_750 247]

One belt coming off cam take the other with it quite easily.

Can come.off due to breaking. Lack of tension or a pulley not being inline. Check all pullys including the main one are solid with no slop

[BM WORLD 1264]

pulley bearings stuffed , seized etc , slack tensioners etc etc .