New Idler Pulley wobble?

alexb18 · 12-08-2012, 11:04 PM

2004 325

Replaced the tensioner pulley and idler pulley today... seems to wobble a bit when idling. Also there's a slight clicking noise that seems to come from it.

Is this normal?

Steven747 · 12-08-2012, 11:15 PM

did you tighten the bolt fully?

alexb18 · 12-08-2012, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven747

did you tighten the bolt fully?

I tightened it to about 20ft-lbs before I put the belt on... I'm taking it off, checking it out, and putting it back on at the moment - waiting for the engine bay to cool a few degrees, it's an inferno right now

It seems like the issue is the bearing having some play, not the spacer behind it not being locked down properly. Can anyone check to see if theirs is doing the same thing? Could always be a bad part from advance...

alexb18 · 12-08-2012, 11:30 PM

Update: I took the pulley out, set it flat on my desk, and I can wobble the shaft around the bearing just slightly.

alexb18 · 12-09-2012, 12:22 AM

I put the old one in and it doesn't wobble... I'll take this new one back. On that note, the BRAND NEW tensioner pulley is also leaking grease. I guess they don't make them like they used to :-\

pocojo68 · 12-09-2012, 12:59 AM

What brand was it. INA?

Sent from my LG-P500h using Bimmer App

alexb18 · 12-09-2012, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocojo68

What brand was it. INA?

Sent from my LG-P500h using Bimmer App

Dayco... I'm thinking of just repacking the old bearing and calling it good. Seems like the old ones have significantly less play (almost none) than the new ones.

TonyJ · 12-09-2012, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexb18

Dayco... I'm thinking of just repacking the old bearing and calling it good. Seems like the old ones have significantly less play (almost none) than the new ones.

German build quality is no longer the golden standard. I have recently replaced a perfectly working original water pump with a brand new Bosche one, as a PM. Its impeller shattered in just a few month. It caused more damage than it supposed to "fix". Go figure.

I'm now no longer throwing new pieces blindly just to PM. I have no issues with VCG, OFHG, CCV, so no way in hell will I touch these part, until oil leaks.

alexb18 · 12-09-2012, 01:03 AM

Actually the parts themselves say "Flennor Germany"

SteadyMobbin · 12-09-2012, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyJ

German build quality is no longer the golden standard. I have recently replaced a perfectly working original water pump with a brand new Bosche one, as a PM. Its impeller shattered in just a few month. It caused more damage than it supposed to "fix". Go figure.

I'm now no longer throwing new pieces blindly just to PM. I have no issues with VCG, OFHG, CCV, so no way in hell will I touch these part, until oil leaks.

I have read that bosch makes questionable water pumps. If you go with oem for parts you should be fine...

alexb18 · 12-09-2012, 02:42 AM

Things I've learned in this process...

I ended up reusing my older idler pulley (worked fine, not noisy, still feels full of grease)... definitely needed a new tensioner pulley though. I assume since both sides of this tensioner pulley bearing leaked a bit, it's due to the break in process where the centrifugal force pushes out a bit of grease, particularly when it warms up. The wobble on the Dayco idler pulley, however, was completely unacceptable and I will return that. There can be some play when you test it out with no tension, but once tensioned, this noisy wobble is no bueno.

Solidjake · 12-09-2012, 07:41 AM

Buy the INA pulley which is OEM.

tommy d · 12-09-2012, 07:48 AM

+1, I just replaced my Tensioner and Idle pullies with INA brand and no issues.

12-08-2012, 11:04 PM	#1
alexb18 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 8 My Ride: 04 325Ci View My Garage	New Idler Pulley wobble? 2004 325 Replaced the tensioner pulley and idler pulley today... seems to wobble a bit when idling. Also there's a slight clicking noise that seems to come from it. Is this normal?

12-08-2012, 11:15 PM	#2
Steven747 OEM ///Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 4,166 My Ride: 05 330ci View My Garage	did you tighten the bolt fully? __________________

12-08-2012, 11:30 PM	#4
alexb18 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 8 My Ride: 04 325Ci View My Garage	Update: I took the pulley out, set it flat on my desk, and I can wobble the shaft around the bearing just slightly. Last edited by alexb18; 12-08-2012 at 11:46 PM.

12-09-2012, 07:41 AM	#12
Solidjake Mod Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 19,926 My Ride: 2002 330i View My Garage	Buy the INA pulley which is OEM. __________________ Follow my cross country drive to Bimmerfest West 2013 http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=987217 Youtube - Electric Fan Swap/Aux Fan Removal - Projector Retrofit - E46 Bulb Guide

12-09-2012, 07:48 AM	#13
tommy d Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bethlehem PA Posts: 77 My Ride: 2005 330i View My Garage	+1, I just replaced my Tensioner and Idle pullies with INA brand and no issues. __________________ Current Vehicles in my stable: 2005 BMW 330i - 94K miles 2005 Mazda Tribute s - 89K miles 1998 Ford Taurus SE - 103K miles 1987 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 - 230K miles Last edited by tommy d; 12-09-2012 at 07:48 AM.

12-09-2012, 12:22 AM	#5
alexb18 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 8 My Ride: 04 325Ci View My Garage	I put the old one in and it doesn't wobble... I'll take this new one back. On that note, the BRAND NEW tensioner pulley is also leaking grease. I guess they don't make them like they used to :-\

12-09-2012, 12:59 AM	#6
pocojo68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: british columbia Posts: 65 My Ride: 2004/320i View My Garage	What brand was it. INA? Sent from my LG-P500h using Bimmer App

12-09-2012, 01:03 AM	#9
alexb18 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 8 My Ride: 04 325Ci View My Garage	Actually the parts themselves say "Flennor Germany"

12-09-2012, 02:42 AM	#11
alexb18 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 8 My Ride: 04 325Ci View My Garage	Things I've learned in this process... I ended up reusing my older idler pulley (worked fine, not noisy, still feels full of grease)... definitely needed a new tensioner pulley though. I assume since both sides of this tensioner pulley bearing leaked a bit, it's due to the break in process where the centrifugal force pushes out a bit of grease, particularly when it warms up. The wobble on the Dayco idler pulley, however, was completely unacceptable and I will return that. There can be some play when you test it out with no tension, but once tensioned, this noisy wobble is no bueno.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: