So I’m driving home today and I hear a big clunk under my engine bay and come to find out my idol or pulley just disintegrated out of my car. I’ll be replacing the idler pulley later this week along with a new belt/ tensioner.

Should I replace anything else while I am working in that area? Is there anything special I need to know when replacing the idler pulley? I seriously have no idea how it just vanished out of the car unless it was made of some cheap plastic Thanks a lot

2003 R53

 

Wow that is pretty epic.

Check to make sure there is no damage to the crank pulley.

we keep them all in stock
https://www.waymotorworks.com/idler-...-cooper-s.html

 

I checked it, felt tight. Thanks!

 

Make sure you thread it into the correct hole (with recess) at lower-right of timing cover.
Some have mistakenly threaded it into the bottom hole in the corner which may, or may not have a bolt in it, which will result in a belt that's too tight and can't be fitted over the pulleys.

See THIS recent thread.

 

I was more thinking of damage to the belt grooves so it doesn't damage a new belt.