Hey guys, my 05' R53 has developed this ticking sound coming from the belt drive area. I've got the video link for it right here, so you guys can hear it.
After some research, I'm thinking its the belt tensioner, or the belt tensioner dampener (black shock that's attached to the tensioner). I just want to get some second opinions before I make any purchases.

If it is the belt tensioner, what do you guys recommend? I've read some forums on here where people are saying its just the busing in the dampener on the tensioner that eventually get worn through, and I can get these https://www.detroittuned.com/powerfl...mper-bushing/# bushings in replacement of the bushings worn out bushings. Would just getting a whole new tensioner be bettor or ? Also one thing is; I noticed I don't have any holes showing on the top of the tensioner to show tension. And if I remember correctly, you want at least one hole showing? So maybe the dampener's gone bad? not sure.

I do have a 15% sc pulley installed as well with the corresponding smaller belt. That was installed 4 years ago, the same time I replaced the belt tensioner. So maybe the belt is showing its age and stretched out? not sure.

Another thing to mention is that whenever I come to a stop after driving the car on the highway, for lets say, 30 minutes or so, I smell a bit of a warm rubber smell? I'm not quite sure how to describe it, because it's unlike any other 'warm car' smell i've ever smelled lol. After some more research, I'm thinking its the engine crank pulley that's failing, and the rubber inside is deteriorating. Does this sound right? If so, while I'm messing with this tensioner, I'll replace that too with the ATI Super Dampener.

I would appreciate any help on this guys! Thanks in Advanced!

 

I would replace the entire tensioner assembly, the idler pulley and install the ATI Super Damper along with a new belt.

I replaced my 2 year old tensioner assembly (along with idler and belt - I already had an ATI on) a couple of months ago during a supercharger replacement. The damper bushings on the tensioner assembly were shot but that tensioner had been through a blown up A/C compressor and a locked up supercharger in its time. I don't recall any noise from the tensioner but then again, the ruckus of the failing supercharger would have drowned out most other noises.

 

Ok that’s probably what I’ll do then! Is the idler pulley a common failure too?

I also jacked up the car, pulled the wheel and fender liner off and checked out my belt assembly. And I discovered that it looks like the shock on my tensioner has failed. With the fluid that’s covering the bottom side of the shock here, I would say something broke there lol.

Should I still just buy a whole new assembly, or replace the shock and probably the bushings too for future proofing? It looks like I can get just the shock for $30 or so.

 

The bushings on my failed tensioner damper looked the same - destroyed. I was surprised because, as I said, it was only a couple of years old. I was dealing with my supercharger and happened to notice the blown out bushings. I happened to already have a new tensioner because I had ordered 2 by mistake the first time. I then decided a new idler and belt is cheap enough to throw on as well, so I did.

I would get the who tensioner assembly since it comes with a new pulley on it too. You don't state the mileage on your car but a 2005 model year car is 20 years old now. I am generally in the camp of refreshing the entire system when I have to deal with worn out components - the accessory drive system in your case - since they all wear together. Sort of a "while I'm in there" thing. Spend the money on all that stuff now and spend a few hours installing it all, then you know the whole accessory drive system should be good for a while. Not including the alternator, compressor and supercharger of course.

 

Gotcha. I thought I mentioned it, but I guess I didn’t, but I replaced the belt tensioner about 4 years ago or so, whenever I installed a 15% pulley. It was only a tensioner I got off of eBay, so maybe it wasn’t the best quality. Not sure. The car had I think about 45k-50k miles when I did it, and it now has 86k.

 

Hi, I’m having a very similar noise after installing the crank pulley, was the tensioner the cause for your noise? Did you replace it?

thanks