Hi,

I'm replacing the crankshaft o ring and oil pan gasket on my 04 mini. I don't have the special belt remover tool but looked around online and learned that you can relieve tension by putting a pin in the top hole above the tensioner spring and just unbolting the 16mil bolt on the tensioner.

Problem is that my belt tensioner doesn't have that plate with two pin holed that's supposed to be right above the spring. It looks like someone just twisted and snapped it off?

Anyone have any idea how to release tension on the belt? I don't want to go get that special to unless I absolutely have to.

Thank you

 

We see them break off all the time so it's time for a new tensioner. I'd remove it and replace.