*** DIY Belt Tensioner Replacement With Pictures *** - Page 5

mps · 02-21-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWFan

I'm having a problem finishing up this project myself. On the accessory tensioner it uses Torx, when releasing the tension I didn't have to release a lot to get the belt off. However, now that I am putting the belt back on I'm finding I can't do it. What is happening is the Torx bit keeps slipping out of the hole. THe only way I can get it to stay in place is to use both hands and I can only hold that for a few seconds, then it pops out.

Any special technique you guys are using to get the smaller belt back on?

SWFan, did you ever figure this out? I'm curious

jetblackmaverick · 02-28-2011, 04:31 PM

Super helpful, I am going to be changing my deflection pulley, tensioner, and all bolts tonight. thumbs up!

rando-defranco · 03-20-2011, 01:29 PM

The tensioner is the lower pully and mounting hardware behind fan. This whole assembly will rotate clockwise to loosed the belt if you use the pully cener torx socket to turn it. The idler (or deflection pully) is up closer to the PS resevoir. This is held in place with one single long normal function (lefty/loosy) bolt. (Dont break it!) This will be offset if you have a mechanical (spring) tensioner assembly, or center hole if you have the later hydraulit tensioner assembly. Or so I'm told.

aurelius · 05-03-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johntrhodes81

In the parts catalog it shows mechanical or hydraulic tensioner. Will either fit or do some M54's fit one and some the other? Are they interchangeable?

You have to visually verify which tensioner unit your car has.

If hydraulic, replace only the pulley (11-28-1-748-131). If mechanical, see post #65 or consider conversion to the more durable hydraulic unit, which runs about $100 from Pelican Parts:

hydraulic version upgrade: $66 11-28-7-838-797-M40
+ conversion kit: $33 09-0434-001-M40 (includes pulley)

aurelius · 05-03-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWFan

I'm having a problem finishing up this project myself. On the accessory tensioner it uses Torx, when releasing the tension I didn't have to release a lot to get the belt off. However, now that I am putting the belt back on I'm finding I can't do it. What is happening is the Torx bit keeps slipping out of the hole. THe only way I can get it to stay in place is to use both hands and I can only hold that for a few seconds, then it pops out.

Any special technique you guys are using to get the smaller belt back on?

This photo from delmarco's similar thread (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=696330) may answer this question but only applies to mechanical-style tensioner:

steve108819 · 10-11-2011, 06:23 PM

Thought I found mechanical tensioner pulleys, but i was wrong. Carry on.

mps · 10-11-2011, 06:34 PM

I have a used hydraulic unit for sale. PM me if interested

LTM · 10-19-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rando-defranco

The tensioner is the lower pully and mounting hardware behind fan. This whole assembly will rotate clockwise to loosed the belt if you use the pully cener torx socket to turn it. The idler (or deflection pully) is up closer to the PS resevoir. This is held in place with one single long normal function (lefty/loosy) bolt. (Dont break it!) This will be offset if you have a mechanical (spring) tensioner assembly, or center hole if you have the later hydraulit tensioner assembly. Or so I'm told.

Ok I'm a bit puzzled about the idler pulley. I'm considering converting my mechanical tensioner to a hydraulic one as both pulleys need replacing. There is a kit which you need to buy along with the hydraulic unit, which contains (from the pictures I've seen) an idler pully with a hole in the center. So far so good, yet why does the pic in post #9 show a hydraulic tensioner with an off-center idler pulley? Is it just a mistake?

brayling · 10-20-2011, 04:35 PM

I replaced my water pump and p/s pump this week new belts too, and removed both tension-er pulleys, popped of the bearing covers and filled with fresh grease, they both run smooth now, thus saving a bit of cash. New would be better but I'm skint so if I can save on anything I will. Ha
Manual trans, so slightly different set up but same principal just re-grease em.

locomexicano · 11-06-2011, 09:28 PM

Remove the fan and fan shroud. The fan loosens up left to right when facing the car.

Good Stuff man. thanks

LTM · 11-07-2011, 04:08 PM

Just an FYI, the Hydraulic tensioner pairs with the OFF-CENTER deflection (aka idler) pulley, not the center-hole one as mentioned in previous posts.

HyeWarrior · 11-08-2011, 02:39 AM

Question, is the ONLY way to get the fan out is to use the special wrench/tool?

jojo12 · 03-05-2012, 12:27 PM

HyeWarrior, although this comes super late, it never hurts to post for future readers. There are MULTIPLE ways to get the fan off, including the 32mm wrench and pulley holder tool, or a wrench and hammer, or a hammer and long screwdriver. A simple search will reveal the gajillions of times these techniques have been mentioned. Here's a good visual for the wrench/hammer approach, which is what I typically use despite having the pulley holder tool: http://www.beisansystems.com/procedu..._procedure.htm.

cool breeze · 05-12-2012, 02:34 PM

Can't believe there are no torque specs in this write up still..

TEAMAFLCON · 01-25-2013, 04:48 PM

I'm going to try this myself. I'll report back.

10-11-2011, 06:23 PM	#86
steve108819 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Springfield, Mo Posts: 43 My Ride: 2002 325xi View My Garage	Thought I found mechanical tensioner pulleys, but i was wrong. Carry on. Last edited by steve108819; 10-19-2011 at 03:40 AM.

10-11-2011, 06:34 PM	#87
mps Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 92 My Ride: 2002 325ci View My Garage	I have a used hydraulic unit for sale. PM me if interested __________________

11-08-2011, 02:39 AM	#92
HyeWarrior Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 2,757 My Ride: '03 325i --> '13 GTI View My Garage	Question, is the ONLY way to get the fan out is to use the special wrench/tool? __________________

03-05-2012, 12:27 PM	#93
jojo12 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: VA Posts: 202 My Ride: 330xi View My Garage	HyeWarrior, although this comes super late, it never hurts to post for future readers. There are MULTIPLE ways to get the fan off, including the 32mm wrench and pulley holder tool, or a wrench and hammer, or a hammer and long screwdriver. A simple search will reveal the gajillions of times these techniques have been mentioned. Here's a good visual for the wrench/hammer approach, which is what I typically use despite having the pulley holder tool: http://www.beisansystems.com/procedu..._procedure.htm. Last edited by jojo12; 03-05-2012 at 12:28 PM. Reason: Typo

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02-28-2011, 04:31 PM	#82
jetblackmaverick Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 362 My Ride: parting out...=( View My Garage	Super helpful, I am going to be changing my deflection pulley, tensioner, and all bolts tonight. thumbs up!

03-20-2011, 01:29 PM	#83
rando-defranco Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ny Posts: 4 My Ride: 2000 323ci cab View My Garage	The tensioner is the lower pully and mounting hardware behind fan. This whole assembly will rotate clockwise to loosed the belt if you use the pully cener torx socket to turn it. The idler (or deflection pully) is up closer to the PS resevoir. This is held in place with one single long normal function (lefty/loosy) bolt. (Dont break it!) This will be offset if you have a mechanical (spring) tensioner assembly, or center hole if you have the later hydraulit tensioner assembly. Or so I'm told.

10-20-2011, 04:35 PM	#89
brayling Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: MONTACUTE, ENGLAND Posts: 41 My Ride: e46 325i touring View My Garage	I replaced my water pump and p/s pump this week new belts too, and removed both tension-er pulleys, popped of the bearing covers and filled with fresh grease, they both run smooth now, thus saving a bit of cash. New would be better but I'm skint so if I can save on anything I will. Ha Manual trans, so slightly different set up but same principal just re-grease em.

11-06-2011, 09:28 PM	#90
locomexicano Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Posts: 44 My Ride: E46 330ci View My Garage	Remove the fan and fan shroud. The fan loosens up left to right when facing the car. Good Stuff man. thanks

11-07-2011, 04:08 PM	#91
LTM Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 2 My Ride: 2002 325i View My Garage	Just an FYI, the Hydraulic tensioner pairs with the OFF-CENTER deflection (aka idler) pulley, not the center-hole one as mentioned in previous posts.

05-12-2012, 02:34 PM	#94
cool breeze Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: colorado Posts: 53 My Ride: 330xi View My Garage	Can't believe there are no torque specs in this write up still..

01-25-2013, 04:48 PM	#95
TEAMAFLCON Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Fresnos Texas Posts: 118 My Ride: 2003 325i View My Garage	I'm going to try this myself. I'll report back.