Quick question Mini friends. I'm stocking up parts for later maintenance and such, and right now I'm gonna grab an Alta tensioner stop. My question is, with the stop, is there a need for a better tensioner? I see Alta had an adjustable one. Would it be wise to get something like that AND the stop and do it all at once? I keep seeing people say the tensioner will eventually go so should I just do it all at once or just get a new cheap tensioner and use the stop? Thanks for the input guys.

 

There are differing opinions about whether or not the tensioner stop is a good idea. I just replaced my complete tensioner and belt. The tensioner dampener was shot so I figured I would just take care of everything at once. My 06 MCS has 94000 miles on it, but then again I bought it for $500 and rebuilt the motor...

 

We don't recommend the Alta tensioner because it doesn't allow the tensioner to move like it is intended. The tensioner is designed to move and change tension on the belt as load and rpm increase. The alta stop fixes the tensioner and doesn't allow it so the belt will either have too much tension or too little depending on how you are driving.
Just maintain the belt and stock tensioner you'll be fine. We do offer our WMW delrin bushings to replace the rubber bushings on the shock if they do begin to fail.

 

Is there a way of knowing if failure is looming? When I go in to add the stop is it wise to just do the bushings and replace the stock tensioner? I know you, Way, have a package so it is something I could look into.

 

As your motor is running look at the tensioner to see if it is bouncing and making noise. If so turn the motor off and try to wiggle the dampener (black shock absorber looking thing). You will need to take pressure off the tensioner. If it moves at the bushings that will be part if not your whole problem. If the dampener moves slightly up and down you need to replace the whole tensioner because the dampener is hard to find and very expensive if you can find one. Also look at WMW's tensioner stop.

 

+1 on sprout06. Also It's more obvious to see/hear when you turn on the a/c. When moving from a stop usually you can hear a vibration noise. I just did my 03 r53 a couple weeks ago, with belt & tensioner combo only. Gained my boost back. Car shaky on idle gone! Mini whines again like weeeeing weeeeeing! Lol. Goodluck!