[badbread]

Hey all,
After seeing Insane435 's post about his tensioner I noticed mine was acting up as well. I created yet another very detailed DIY seen here: http://*************/tensionerdiy/

It's a very straightforward install for most people (not me) I managed to mess up a part. Lots of pictures, tips, a couple videos, etc...

[IMG]https://i0.wp.com/*************/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/20180428_122552.jpg?resize=768%2C576[/IMG]

[IMG]https://i1.wp.com/*************/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/labeledtensioner.png?resize=768%2C576[/IMG]

[IMG]https://i2.wp.com/*************/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stupidass.jpg?resize=768%2C1024[/IMG]


Bad tensioner:

Hope it helps, let me know what you think, don't forget to spay and neuter your pets, etc...

[badbread]

Fixed and thanks! I'm pretty sure I could figure out a way to mess up 5 bolts and seat belt...

[isma335i]

Thanks man! I will check mine as soon I get home!

[M-terkait]

I noticed that jiggle on my car a long time ago, not sure what could it cause anyway?

[badbread]

Originally Posted by M-terkait

I noticed that jiggle on my car a long time ago, not sure what could it cause anyway?

I popped my old tensioner apart and aside from some non-magnetic metal powder there's nothing in there but a spring. The pulley side had maybe 1-2mm of wiggle but that's it. I'm guessing a spring just gets tired?

[lens]

Originally Posted by M-terkait

I noticed that jiggle on my car a long time ago, not sure what could it cause anyway?

If you just swapped the OFHG then nothing really if the jiggle isn't bad.


The only thing is if the OFHG is leaking then the jiggle could have the oil on the belt and the belt could either snap or come off the tensioner from the movement.

[amw896]

Pretty sure my 235i has had that much movement since new....

[badbread]

Originally Posted by amw896

Pretty sure my 235i has had that much movement since new....

Yea, so that's an area I'm still not sure about. Most people I've encountered on the forums say the jiggle is bad, as well as 2 BMW parts people as well, and my local mechanic friend. Also a BMW service adviser told me they replace them all the time as did a BMW parts person. But that's all hearsay.

One forum member had his SA say it's fine.

I can tell you after installing the new part there is absolutely no jiggle at all and some of the clunky/clicky engine sounds have gone away.

Here's the before and after video:
Before fast forward to 0:23

After

If anyone is interested in what's inside a tensioner:
[img]http://*************/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/20180429_091120-1024x768.jpg[/img]

I think the dust is from the spring moving around in there, it's not magnetic like the spring is and super fine. I for the life of me couldn't get the black plastic pulley apart, after breaking 2 drill bits trying to drill it out I gave up.

[Eschmacher]

So i just completed this, took me twenty minutes. New tensioner jiggles just as much. So I'm going to go with completely normal.

[VT-man]

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

So i just completed this, took me twenty minutes. Tensioner jiggles just as much. So I'm going to go with completely normal.

are you saying the newly replaced tensioner also jiggles?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

So i just completed this, took me twenty minutes. Tensioner jiggles just as much. So I'm going to go with completely normal.

+1. It's supposed to jiggle. There's a given amount of slack in the fit of the belt, which is there to reduce wear on the belt. The tensioner isn't supposed to remove the slack, just to limit it, and to do that it's going to jiggle. Eventually the tensioner bearing can wear to the point that it jiggles too much, allowing too much slack in the belt, but no slack at all is just as bad.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

+1. It's supposed to jiggle. There's a given amount of slack in the fit of the belt, which is there to reduce wear on the belt. The tensioner isn't supposed to remove the slack, just to limit it, and to do that it's going to jiggle. Eventually the tensioner bearing can wear to the point that it jiggles too much, allowing too much slack in the belt, but no slack at all is just as bad.

Yep. One should just check the belt tension once or so a month. It should deflect about 1/4" with moderate finger pressure across the wider expansive portion of the belt.

[jv004]

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

So i just completed this, took me twenty minutes. Tensioner jiggles just as much. So I'm going to go with completely normal.

I got the same results when I replaced my tensioner/belt. I guess it's normal operation.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by badbread

Yea, so that's an area I'm still not sure about. Most people I've encountered on the forums say the jiggle is bad, as well as 2 BMW parts people as well, and my local mechanic friend. Also a BMW service adviser told me they replace them all the time as did a BMW parts person. But that's all hearsay.

One forum member had his SA say it's fine.

I can tell you after installing the new part there is absolutely no jiggle at all and some of the clunky/clicky engine sounds have gone away.

Here's the before and after video:
Before fast forward to 0:23

After

If anyone is interested in what's inside a tensioner:
[img]http://*************/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/20180429_091120-1024x768.jpg[/img]

I think the dust is from the spring moving around in there, it's not magnetic like the spring is and super fine. I for the life of me couldn't get the black plastic pulley apart, after breaking 2 drill bits trying to drill it out I gave up.

Give a few weeks and I bet the tensioner will be jiggling once the internal spring loosens up a bit.

[BashShah]

Does anyone have the Torque Specs for the Idle Pulley E-Bolt?
Thanks in advance.

[Eschmacher]

Originally Posted by BashShah

Does anyone have the Torque Specs for the Idle Pulley E-Bolt?
Thanks in advance.

60NM

[BashShah]

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

60NM

And it's only 38nm for the tensioner bolt.
Wow that is high.

Where did you find this? Bentley?

[Eschmacher]

It's from the same source as was posted in your other thread. I found the same reference on badbread's blog for the tensioner DIY.

[darmahdi]

I can confirm after changing two Belt Tensioners that the jiggle did not go away. The jiggle starts after few hours of driving. I think this is normal.

[Eschmacher]

Yup, I came to the same conclusion. i think the more important thing to check/replace if necessary is the crank pulley. If it's wobbling while spinning or you can see any imbalance in the spin, it needs to be replaced because it could cause the crank seal to fail or even cause the belt to break which is a really bad time, or so I've heard...

[mopa9000]

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

Yup, I came to the same conclusion. i think the more important thing to check/replace if necessamy ip birthday wishes tnebry is the crank pulley. If it's wobbling while spinning or you can see any imbalance in the spin, it needs to be replaced because it could cause the crank seal to fail or even cause the belt to break which is a really bad time, or so I've heard...

I popped my old tensioner apart and aside from some non-magnetic metal powder there's nothing in there but a spring. The pulley side had maybe 1-2mm of wiggle but that's it. I'm guessing a spring just gets tired?

[EDWYER]

Good info.