Hey all,

Newbie here, I've been a JDM guy for a long time but when it comes to euro's I am pretty new

question is, how do I tell or know when the drive belt and tensioner needs replacing? or if i do the drive belt do I have to do the tensioner as well?

Please do let me know

Thanks

 

How many miles are on the car?

Has the shock lost its charge?

Are the bushings blown out and causing a rattle?

For as inexpensive as a tensioner is, replacing it on a car that is 10+ years old isn't bad idea anyway.

Detroit Tuned Serpentine Belt Tensioner

 

I bought the car used at a dealership I worked at a year ago, right not its got 165000 kms there seems to be weird belt sounds coming from the engine bay when its cold but once it warms up its fine.

what should I be looking for when checking the belt and tensioner area?

 

Crank pulleys are known for failing and causing problems, idler pulleys are known for failing.

Does the tensioner seem to have "excessive deflection"? This is going to be up to your eye, as it's hard to describe what you're looking for, but if it seems to be working harder than you feel it should at idle and at 2500 RPM steady I would recommend replacing it.

 

ahhh gonna look into that this weekend

 

I don't think I caught the year and model. For an R53, for instance, there is some great background info and detail to be found here:

http://new.minimania.com/Search_Results/tensioner/All

Mini Cooper Belt Tensioner Assembly R52/53 Mini Cooper S
http://new.minimania.com/part/NME120...-Mini-Cooper-S

Mini Cooper (non-s) Serpentine Belt, Value Line R50 R52
http://new.minimania.com/part/NME765...e-Line-R50-R52

Mini Cooper S Supercharger Self-Aligning Pulley Upgrade
http://new.minimania.com/Mini_Cooper...Pulley_Upgrade

Mini Cooper S Supercharger Pulley Upgrade Kit R52 R53
http://new.minimania.com/part/NME504...de-Kit-R52-R53

Please let us know if you have any questions!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

I don't like posting a link that undercuts our fine vendors, but the ac delco tensioner on amazon goes for a lot less. Perfectly fine stock replacement. It's worth just changing it because they do wear out.

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-38404.../dp/B001KSDZOY