mechanical to hydraulic tension upgrade
 

Ive got a 3.0 X5 and the tensioner is making noise.

Who has done the swap over and was it worth it?

Trying to decide if its worth spending the extra money on the updated tensioner before I order one.

Did it years ago; can't really tell any difference. The AC tensioner is still mechanical, not sure why the main drive was "updated" to hydraulic. All parts I used were INA.

Was it a simple remove and replace to do the upgrade? I was looking at the kit on oem bimmerparts.

I did the swap. Got my tensioner from a E46 at the local pick n pull for 10 bucks. I think it used a different bolt location for one of the bolt.

If the pulley on the mechanical tensioner is making noise you can just replace the pulley

I may look into that. Its sooo cold here right now and its even snowing which is rare for Alabama. The pulley if probably the smarter move. Now if I can just make sure to get the right one. Also to find out where to get it since oem just showed the tensioner for the alternator belt side. They had just the pulley for the a/c side.


Ive got to change the thermostat out too so wanted to make sure I get everything in at once to keep from having multiple installs.

I had to replace the tensioner pulley and another pulley on that side as the bearings were shot. The tensioner part itself was fine, no need to replace it. Got the parts from FCP Euro.

BMW does not make a replacement pulley for just the pulley on the mechanical tensioner. You will need to go aftermarket if you just want to replace the pulley.

The replacement pulley is available on Amazon. Read the reviews before buying an aftermarket part for your BMW. Some reviewers had good luck with the replacement pulley, other did not.

https://www.amazon.com/Dayco-89133-I.../dp/B001C6ITTK

The pulley is even available at Pep Girls.

Like I stated before I just went to a pick n pull yard and bought the entire hydraulic assembly including all the bolts for 10 bucks. I replace the pulley before the install since you can buy a replacement pulley for the hydraulic tensioner. And before someone ask if you can use the hydraulic pulley on a mechanical tensioner the answer is NO.

https://xoutpost.com/1001920-post1.html

Amazon sells the Gate pulley, but the listing stated that it does not fit my BMW which came with a mechanical tensioner.

https://www.amazon.com/Gates-38018-T.../dp/B000C2YAOS

FCP sells an OE replacement pulley: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...er-11281748131