Belt Tensioner - BMW Forum

Shudogg · 07-21-2005, 04:35 PM

do our cars have an automatic belt tensioner?

Avlany · 07-21-2005, 04:39 PM

If you mean Timing Belt, than our cars dont have it. Bimmers use chain (2 of them).

Shudogg · 07-21-2005, 04:43 PM

im talkin about accessory belts

Shudogg · 07-21-2005, 05:52 PM

nevermind, i already replaced the belts...and to answer my own question for you others:

>we have a spring loaded one that requires loosening (AC belt)

>and a spring loaded one that just takes a socket and you turn it to the left (counter clockwise) and the whole tensioner moves, not the nut (other accessories)

Avlany · 07-21-2005, 07:34 PM

Sorry for comment, I missunderstood.

drz · 07-22-2005, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shudogg@Jul 21 2005, 05:52 PM
nevermind, i already replaced the belts...and to answer my own question for you others:

>we have a spring loaded one that requires loosening (AC belt)

>and a spring loaded one that just takes a socket and you turn it to the left (counter clockwise) and the whole tensioner moves, not the nut (other accessories)

[snapback]364209[/snapback]

Hmmm..... mine turns clockwise (if you are standing in front of the car, facing the car).

Furious · 07-23-2005, 07:23 PM

automatic as in how? we do have them yes, mine is sprung , not hyrdrolic.

drz · 07-24-2005, 01:29 AM

I think he means autmomatic as in self-tensioning.

green325is · 01-28-2006, 09:10 PM

i know this is an old thread but need some advice/help. I have new belts on my car and now believe I need to replace on of my belt tensioners (sometimes makes a belt squeal sound when cold at idle). When I replace the one tensioner should I just replace ALL the tensioners? I think there are like 3? I have about 115K miles '94 325is, and don't want any probs down the road!

93 325i · 01-29-2006, 11:29 AM

no, just has the one tensioner for serpentine belt and one for the A/C belt. The one making the noise on cold start-up is the serpentine belt tensioner. Definitely replace the tensioner and it would be a good idea to replace the deflection pulley as well (also called idler pully).. Replace those with a new belt and you will be amazed at how quiet and healthy the engine will sound. SUch a good feeling to have my car with 145K miles idle without a sound..

green325is · 01-29-2006, 12:39 PM

So then I should replace the serpentine tensioner, a/c belt tensioner, and the deflection pully tensioner (all 3)??

Delmarco · 01-29-2006, 01:38 PM

well what engine are we talking M42, M44, M50, M52?

green325is · 01-29-2006, 03:00 PM

talking bout a M50TU in a '94 325is

GranitSilbur · 01-29-2006, 07:23 PM

deflection pulley is not a tensioner...just a pulley. The accesory belt tensioner is the one u should def replace. It's a judgement call on the A/C tensioner. It is winter anyway so you could alawys remove the A/C belt all together and replace that stuff closer to warmer weather.

green325is · 01-29-2006, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GranitSilbur

deflection pulley is not a tensioner...just a pulley. The accesory belt tensioner is the one u should def replace. It's a judgement call on the A/C tensioner. It is winter anyway so you could alawys remove the A/C belt all together and replace that stuff closer to warmer weather.

OK. Thanks for the info! Greatly Appreciated!

I have learned that you gotta replace sh&* BEFORE it brakes and leaves you stranded.