Mechanical Tensioner Question

[bimmerfiver]

I was detailing my engine today and while the engine was running, looked around. NOT the alternator roller/pulley up high...but the mechanical tensioner directly under the oil filter. Again, I have mechanical, NOT hydraulic.

Anyway, as the car is running, all my belts are fine, roll well...but the base of the mechanical tensioner (directly under the oil filter) ever so slightly it vibrates, jussssst noticeable to the eyes. It 'moves' and I'd describe it as an oscillation as it, again, barely moves at all. It is brand new, replaced in April with less than 800 miles on it. Is this normal?

1). Is the BASE OF A MECHANICAL TENSIONER supposed to move ever so slightly/vibrate at their base?

The base of mine (see below) here...

[preyash]

you never replied to my pm haha.

[bimmerfiver]

you never replied to my pm haha.

I don't have to. Drink milk, eat some cookies and concentrate. Feel teh force. Yes. Your hood is effed up. Don't be proud of the technological scam you pulled by masking it with glaze and fillers. Nothing compares to the powah of teh rotary.

If this mechanical tensioner is shot, it'll be at Gumbis shop very soon. I will be there. You be there with egg rolls. I hate New Jersey so I don't like you. Don't take my dislike of you personally. You're part of the New Jersey Empire problem. I am helping you because you have an e39. And you like Mad Max. After egg rolls, you will have your car evaluated by Gumbi for future projects. Then you will leave me alone so I can shed the Jersey cooties.

Discuss this plan with your parents and with Gumbi, your new step-father. Search your feelings, you know you are related to Gumbi.

[NNY528I]

it may just be loose, I would snug up the mounting bolts and see what happens.

[preyash]

hahaha, bimmerfiver I cant wait to see you in person lol. I was just busy with this college registration and stuff haha. I will call you man dont worry.

[bimmerfiver]

hahaha, bimmerfiver I cant wait to see you in person lol. I was just busy with this college registration and stuff haha. I will call you man dont worry.

Worry? I'm worried about my new $#&*ing mechanical tensioner. Your hood is mice nuts. And it makes me sick. If you forget duck sauce, I may burn that hood down to bare paint, give it a Mad Max paintjob ftw. If it's really bad, I may drain your engine block, fill it with sugar, pepper and salt, redline it for two minutes until cooked and drop it off for a belated Cash for Clunkers. Your car is on the edge right now. It's dangerous.

[preyash]

^^ uh..oh

[e39dream]

Your hood is mice nuts.

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[Gumbi4u]

Actually it does the same thing on my e46. And my AC tensioner on the 5 does vibrate ever so slightly. None of them make noise or pose an issue. My idler pulley is making noise on the e46 so all pullies are getting changed as i type this lol.

[bimmerfiver]

Actually it does the same thing on my e46. And my AC tensioner on the 5 does vibrate ever so slightly. None of them make noise or pose an issue. My idler pulley is making noise on the e46 so all pullies are getting changed as i type this lol.

This is good feedback, thanks. I was asking myself yesterday if I was seeing things, as the vibration/slight movement was either normal or not. The tensioner does just that, maintains tension on the belt, but it's also a shock/vibration absorber, a dampner if you will. Perhaps I was thinking, especially with a mechanical tensioner...by it's coil/spring design, the vibration/movement is it's way of fighting the kinetic energy.

I did a lot of research last night. Excess movement and noise are obviously the signs of failed tensioners, whether they are mechanical or hydraulic. While hydraulic might...might run slightly smoother, they all will fail at some point. The benefit of the hydraulic is that you can replace either the bearing (roller) or the hydraulic piston, whereas the mechanical is all one piece.

My thought when we replaced it in April stays true...we're going to replace the tensioners at 50K miles anyway so stay with the mechanical one. My belts run true, no wobble, hop and I don't have any noise from the new tensioner...just SLIGHT movement.

50K miles: waterpump, thermostat, tensioners, rollers/pulleys, belts.

[Jason5driver]

This is good feedback, thanks. I was asking myself yesterday if I was seeing things, as the vibration/slight movement was either normal or not. The tensioner does just that, maintains tension on the belt, but it's also a shock/vibration absorber, a dampner if you will. Perhaps I was thinking, especially with a mechanical tensioner...by it's coil/spring design, the vibration/movement is it's way of fighting the kinetic energy.

I did a lot of research last night. Excess movement and noise are obviously the signs of failed tensioners, whether they are mechanical or hydraulic. While hydraulic might...might run slightly smoother, they all will fail at some point. The benefit of the hydraulic is that you can replace either the bearing (roller) or the hydraulic piston, whereas the mechanical is all one piece.

My thought when we replaced it in April stays true...we're going to replace the tensioners at 50K miles anyway so stay with the mechanical one. My belts run true, no wobble, hop and I don't have any noise from the new tensioner...just SLIGHT movement.

50K miles: waterpump, thermostat, tensioners, rollers/pulleys, belts.

I agree with your thoughts.
Do you have a sound clip of the rattle?
I think it is probably normal that the mechanical tensioner rattles....
Like you said... coil spring....
And +1 what NNY said.... I would try to make sure everything is tightened correctly.

However, I am betting that your mechanical tensioner is toasty...
Mine went only after 2 months!
I now have the updated hydraulic tensioner.
I noticed an immediate difference!
The car revved better...
This is just my opinion...
I would have someone look at it...
On the plus side, the cost for the new hydraulic tensioner is not too bad.
Let me know!
And, answer your d@mn phone!
LOL!

[bimmerfiver]

I agree with your thoughts.
Do you have a sound clip of the rattle?
I think it is probably normal that the mechanical tensioner rattles....
Like you said... coil spring....

There is NO rattle, no noise. If there were any noise, I would've ripped it out with my bare hands.

Perhaps, someday down the road, I'd be open to replacing the mechanical with the hydraulic for both tensioners on my car (if the A/C one can be modified as well). For now, I think it's normal.

My next issues are the thrust arms and then address the power steering leak(s). I'm driving around with dealer-Mobil One in the engine and it makes me sick. I'm on the hunt for some Castrol German 0w/30.

Next summer is tranny filter/flush.

[Jason5driver]

There is NO rattle, no noise. If there were any noise, I would've ripped it out with my bare hands.

Perhaps, someday down the road, I'd be open to replacing the mechanical with the hydraulic for both tensioners on my car (if the A/C one can be modified as well). For now, I think it's normal.

My next issues are the thrust arms and then address the power steering leak(s). I'm driving around with dealer-Mobil One in the engine and it makes me sick. I'm on the hunt for some Castrol German 0w/30.

Next summer is tranny filter/flush.

Don't do the 0w-30.
I'll just send you the good stuff!
Amsoil 5w-40!

[Gumbi4u]

Jason the car will NOT rev better with a hydra tensioner. It will not give it any performance extras. Maybe the old tensioner was on its way out or slightly seized. Maybe thats why you feel it.

[Jason5driver]

Jason the car will NOT rev better with a hydra tensioner. It will not give it any performance extras. Maybe the old tensioner was on its way out or slightly seized. Maybe that's why you feel it.

Agreed.
My old mechanical tensioner was bad.
That is why I felt a difference when I installed the hydraulic tensioner.
I guess I explained that wrong...
The car didn't rev better, it just felt more peppy...
Less drag on the engine...

Make sense...???

[bimmerfiver]

Agreed.
My old mechanical tensioner was bad.
That is why I felt a difference when I install the hydraulic tensioner.
I guess I explained that wrong...
The car didn't rev better, it just felt more peppy...
Less drag on the engine...

Make sense...???

The mechanical tensioner needs Amsoil for lube!

[Doru]

The mechanical tensioner needs Amsoil for lube!

[Jason5driver]

The mechanical tensioner needs Amsoil for lube!

LOL!
I figured...

I am sure it needs a Harbor Freight ball joint separator tool too...

[Gumbi4u]

LOL!
I figured...

I am sure it needs a Harbor Freight ball joint separator tool too...

Harbor freight ball joint remover FTMFF.

I have seen those break and not look pretty anymore!

[Jason5driver]

Harbor freight ball joint remover FTMFF.

I have seen those break and not look pretty anymore!

Really?
Mine worked like a champ!
Michael has the same one, and just used it to replace some control arms, and he said it worked great.

Plus, if the tool does break, just take it back, and get another...


What is "FTMFF"???

[kerryb]

for the mother f'ing fail

[razzy530]

FWIW, i had the dealer put in a brand new mechanical tensioner. It then, almost immediately started to make noises. I had it checked out, it was fine, but still mad the noise. Was told its pretty normal.
I asked for it to be replaced since i absolutely hate any noises under there.

A BMW should not make any noises, I say.

SO, they put in the hydraulic tensioner and everything has been fine and noise-free since then.
In defense of the mechanical tensioner however, I was told by the dealer that they last much longer than do the hydraulic ones.

[Jason5driver]

FWIW, i had the dealer put in a brand new mechanical tensioner. It then, almost immediately started to make noises. I had it checked out, it was fine, but still mad the noise. Was told its pretty normal.
I asked for it to be replaced since i absolutely hate any noises under there.

A BMW should not make any noises, I say.

SO, they put in the hydraulic tensioner and everything has been fine and noise-free since then.
In defense of the mechanical tensioner however, I was told by the dealer that they last much longer than do the hydraulic ones.

All mechanical tensioners are superseded by the hydraulic tensioners.
So, if your car has the mechanical tensioner, and it fails, it is recommended to install the hydraulic tensioner.

[bimmerfiver]

I believe my tensioner is shot and I'm getting emo. It's raining cats and jawas out there, but before the rains came, I was listening and bottom line...my car has always been silent and it's got a noise now. I am 99% certain it's that tensioner. When it stops raining so I can actually hear things other than the wind/rain, I'll use the mechanic's stethascope.

I hate these things, noises etc. We specifically replaced all of them in April and I've driven the car less than 800 miles. WTF with this tensioner? It's a high pitch whistle. Makes me sick. I'm all emo over a tensioner lol.

Emo Tensioner Princess:






This is me right now:

FWIW, i had the dealer put in a brand new mechanical tensioner. It then, almost immediately started to make noises. I had it checked out, it was fine, but still mad the noise. Was told its pretty normal.
I asked for it to be replaced since i absolutely hate any noises under there.

A BMW should not make any noises, I say.

SO, they put in the hydraulic tensioner and everything has been fine and noise-free since then.
In defense of the mechanical tensioner however, I was told by the dealer that they last much longer than do the hydraulic ones.

I would Darth Vader-choke the BMW person who told me noises are normal. Man.

[jnyost]

Fix it yet?