We bought this car new late in 2013.
It has 130k miles, and it still has the original timing chain, and tensioner. I recently took it apart to change the TC (out of fear that it was going to break) however , I realized that it was not stretched one bit. I pinned the crank properly and dropped the cam locks with ZERO issues.n Everything fit perfectly.
I did change the plastic guides and the pins, but I put all the other items back in...it truly was not stretched at all.

I am looking for advice on whether or not I should install a new tensioner. The new tensioner seems to be a little bit longer. I don't want to cause an issue, but if the old tensioner is weak from the years and the mileage, it might cause an issue.

I am a religous oil changer using full sythetic. I've changed it every 4k to 5k miles and I extract it as opposed to draining it. Not sure if that has helped me get all these miles out of it or not but I'm sure it hasn't hurt anything. The only issue I've had with this car is the water pipe failure.

Please let me know if you think I should replace the tensioner. Thank you so much.

 

@jzzach ,

The only time you need to change out the tensioner is:

1) the belt is squeaking like a mouse even after you replaced with a brand new belt and that it still squeaks.

 

Thanks Vanski,
I was referring to the Timing Chain Tensioner, not the belt tensioner. Do you have any knowledge about using a new timing chain tensioner on a 2nd gen mini n16.
Thank you.

 

@jzzach ,

Ahhh yes......unless your timing chain is clattering while driving up the hill, then yes, It's a good idea to change the tensioner which is actually quite easy to do.

 

If you already have the new tensioner in hand, it is maybe a 15 minute task to swap it out. I would do it just for peace of mind.

 

I would replace it.

 

It wasn’t 15 minutes for me. I had to remove the air intake system with air filter etc. I also had to remove the throttle assembly to access the little hose under the air intake bellows. On my R56, the tensioner hits the bellows and won’t come out with it in the way.

Just an FYI,
Peter

PS. I replaced my timing chain at 66,000 miles as my son had driven the car with low oil several times. Fortunately, the chain had not stretched at all and the guides looked nearly new.

 

Remove air filter box, then throttle inlet pipe, then tensioner.

 

Right. I couldn’t get the throttle inlet pipe out because I couldn’t get it loose from the hose going to the oil pan. I had to take the throttle body out to gain access to the hose clip.

Peter