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

That pulley is for the hydraulic tensioner, NOT the mechanical tensioner.

Quote:

Product Details
Replace PN 11281748131 with every belt change, centered pulley hole

Lower pulley on hydraulic tensioner assembly (centered hole). This is a center holed tensioner pulley, if you have one that is not center you need part #11287841228 which is Offset. Please compare images to figure out if you need a centered or offset pulley.

Will only fit hydraulic tensioners, mechanical tensioners do not allow for independent replacement of the pulley from the tensioner assembly.

I'll double check the tensioner condition when I get the X5 unburied from the snow.

You would have to remove the belt and spin the pulley to determine if that's the pulley that is bad. There is also the pulley with the alternator belt on the same belt.

Yep I'll do the spin test. I even have a tool to measure axial endplay to see if a bearing is giving under x pressure :)

Its just the weather that's setting me back right now.

Update :

Turns out I already have the hydraulic tensioner.

Also when I went to put the belt back on after checking the pulleys the 8mm allen bolt stripped.

I ordered a new tensioner pulley and idler pulley and a new bolt.

If anyone runs into a problem removing the belt or putting back on (which is where it got me) with a stripped bolt there is a way to do it.

I found an axe head with a short shaft on it is recommended. I will probably pick up a hatchet if I can find one with a big enough head on it before the new parts get here.

What I actually used was the brake pedal from when my 323i was an automatic. I had converted it to a stick shift which required new pedals so I had the automatic pedal which has a large offset plate to it. This allowed me to insert the foot rest part in between the pulley and the hydraulic tensioner post and work the tensioner that way.