Wondering if any one has seen this. I was changing failed harmonic balancer and decided to change idler pulley and tensioner while I was in the area. When I pulled off the idler and started to put back in there was a hole beside it. Seemed strange and checking parts layout on one of the online fiche I am missing a torx head M8-20 bolt. Now the torque for that bolt is around 12-18 N-M depending on how you read Bentley (also last in tightening sequence) and the idler is 45 N-M. I probably get enough pinch with the idler but I am missing a bolt. Second owner with first a lease so only Mini and myself have touched so thinking it may have come this way from the factory. Any ideas or comments.

 

All three of my 2004 MCS's do not have bolt in that hole, caught me off guard the first time also.

 

The pulley is technically "the bolt".

 

That was my guess about what was being done. Some guy got a little bonus for upping profit margin slightly. I wonder what year they stopped using it?