Become an Inner Circle member to remove these ads.
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. 01-03-2011 09:45 PM #1
    rwthomas1
    Guest
    Location
    , ,
    Member No: rwthomas1's Avatar

    Yes | No

    Idler pulleys and belt tensioners

    Hello All,
    Recently working on the '00 540i I noticed that the Alt/WP/PS belt tensioner was sorta weak, not providing the tension I expected. I had the tensioner assembly off while working on the car and the idler bearings sound a bit dry too. What is the verdict for R&R these parts? I see the tensioner(s) are both available, I figure do the AC while I'm at it? Do the idler pulleys warrant replacement as well? I see a complete assembly for the alt/WP/PS but the AC I would need the tensioner AND the idler pulley....

    Are the tensioners serviceable? I've worked on vehicles that simply disassembling the tensioner, cleaning it and lubing it would make it like new....

    I'm inclined to replace the bad tensioner, sneak the grease needle into the idler bearing seals and call it a day. Unless the idlers are known timebombs...

    RT
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. Become an Inner Circle member to remove these ads.

  3. 01-03-2011 09:51 PM #2
    JimLev
    jimlev is offline
    Registered Member
    Location
    Sundance Mesa, NM, United States
    Member No: 4328 jimlev will become famous soon enough jimlev will become famous soon enough jimlev's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Posts
    19,993
    Rep Power
    37

    Yes | No

    Never had the tensioners apart, an '00 has (m)

    hydraulic tensioners. Pop the seals off both sides of the idler bearings, clean them out and see if they spin smooth. If they look OK repack them 1/2 full with some high temp grease and pop the seals back in.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. 01-03-2011 09:56 PM #3
    rwthomas1
    Guest
    Location
    , ,
    Member No: rwthomas1's Avatar

    Yes | No

    Re: Never had the tensioners apart, an '00 has (m)

    Thanks, tensioners will be ordered. I have a grease needle, looks like a medical hypodermic on a zerk. Sneaks up under a grease seal, no disassembly required. Pump one shot of high temp synthetic and its off to the races. RT
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. 01-04-2011 03:49 AM #4
    BigRickMc50
    Guest
    Location
    , ,
    Member No: BigRickMc50's Avatar

    Yes | No

    Re: Never had the tensioners apart, an '00 has (m)

    The problem with that course of action, is that you are leaving ten years worth of contaminants in the bearings. Yes, lubing the bearings is a good thing, but CLEANING then lubing would be so much better from a reliability point of view.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. 01-04-2011 08:39 AM #5
    JimLev
    jimlev is offline
    Registered Member
    Location
    Sundance Mesa, NM, United States
    Member No: 4328 jimlev will become famous soon enough jimlev will become famous soon enough jimlev's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Posts
    19,993
    Rep Power
    37

    Yes | No

    +1, it's so easy to do it correctly I always (m)

    take them apart to clean out the old dried grease that looks like dried wax.






    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. 01-04-2011 08:56 AM #6
    Craig in Canada
    Guest
    Location
    , ,
    Member No: Craig in Canada's Avatar

    Yes | No

    +1 - very easy, clean then grease

    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. 01-04-2011 10:46 PM #7
    rwthomas1
    Guest
    Location
    , ,
    Member No: rwthomas1's Avatar

    Yes | No

    Re: +1, it's so easy to do it correctly I always (m)

    This may be a dumb question or admission but I have never had much luck getting the seal off bearings undamaged. Any tips on getting the seals off unmolested? RT
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. 01-04-2011 11:06 PM #8
    JimLev
    jimlev is offline
    Registered Member
    Location
    Sundance Mesa, NM, United States
    Member No: 4328 jimlev will become famous soon enough jimlev will become famous soon enough jimlev's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Posts
    19,993
    Rep Power
    37

    Yes | No

    Use an exacto knife at the edge of the seal (m)

    and pry it up. Once it pops up do it again about 1/2" away, then it will come right out. It's a thin metal washer so don't bend it too much. It should snap right back in when your done.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
+ Reply to Thread


« Upper Timing cover gasket | Powder coated valve cover pics? »

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

     

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may post new threads
  • You may post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

Forum Rules

1e2 Forum