e46 BMW w/broken mech serp belt tensioner

My BMW 323i with 170k on the clock and a borked mechanical serpentine belt tensioner. I took this video after I removed the airbox, fan, and fan shroud to get some room to work.

Sorry about the sniffles. All that hay really gets to me. :(

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• e46
• bmw
• fail
• serpentine
• belt
• tensioner

[MikeCSULB]

I just recently had the ame thing happen to me 2001 E46 :( Can you please help me! Where can I find the replacement kit? I tried jumping on Tischer BMW parts and I was unable to find it. Do I have to buy a different tensioner pully after the mounting surface is fitted w/ a replacement kit? I would appreciate any help.... thanks!

[farrisk]

@MikeCSULB

I *believe* it was one of these: tinyurl com/2gyke4q

(replace the space with a period)

It's been so long since I did this, though, that I don't remember exactly. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[TXcodeDesigner]

So, did you just replace the mounting surface? What part did you actually replace??

[farrisk]

@TXcodeDesigner

I pointed to the new mounting points at 1:19 and 1:23. BMW updated the serpentine belt tensioner (I believe it was when they did the e46 facelift), to one that looks like a shock absorber, instead of a round spring like this one.

I had to replace the tensioner itself, as well as the belt.

[Degr8n8]

Oh, thats good. You're a do it yourselfer!

[farrisk]

No doubt. I took it to a local indie shop and the owner said "Oh, those break all the time, and they usually affect other things. Don't look into it too much, just bring it here and we'll fix everything for you."

Yeah, right.

[aaronchem]

I think you need a new oil filter housing which cost $300 plus. Go get a used one in the junk yard.

[BMWPOWER4U]

I love my 328i. Only mod is a Signature Motoring performance intake kit. They run around $170 and add up to 9HP in the E46 323/325/328 and up to 13.9HP in the 330. That's about $17/per extra HP... A good value for the extra oomph. General HP increases are shown:

E30 series: 6.0-13.4hp gain

E36 series: 5.5-12hp gain

E46 series: 6.0-13.9hp gain

E92 series: 8.5+ hp gain

Z3/Z4 (all): 5.5-13.9hp gain

See my channel videos for action!

[farrisk]

It wasn't too bad. I believe it was Tischer BMW Parts that sells a replacement kit for it (~150 dollars IIRC). Took me about 2 hours to do, going slowly and needing to run to the store to buy a wrench for the fan clutch.