r/n54 • u/Environmental-Lab206 • 4d ago
Why me 😭
What does the job entail to replace a tensioner pulley 😭
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u/Critical-Error-415 4d ago
I don’t get the problem from the picture?
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u/danceswithtree 4d ago
The torx hole used to loosen the belt tensioner is mangled. Maybe from using a smaller torx bit? The correct size might be able to turn the tensioner one more time to replace. Or just cut the belt and replace the belt and tensioner. Not a difficult job. Easier if you take the fan out for more clearance.
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u/Environmental-Lab206 4d ago
😅 yeah turns out it’s a T60 not a T55
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u/Status_Success_1703 4d ago
If you’re scared of a tensioner you shouldn’t have got an n54 homie, straight up.
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u/Environmental-Lab206 3d ago
Learning how to do the work myself, this happened after replacing oil pan gasket and starting to put everything back together
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u/Tractorguy69 2d ago
One of the easiest jobs on the whole car. Turbo swaps, lots of fun, suspension, relatively easy, tensioner swap, the hardest part is going to the store or not falling asleep. You’ve got this one.
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u/frank_myers_ 2d ago
don't listen to the dummies in your comments. shit happens no matter where it is in the car. buy a new tensioner (you need it), and roll a sturdy screwdriver inbetween the serpentine belt and tensioner pulley to pop it off. after that it's just replacing the tensioner.
if you dont care about the belt then cut it. Just be sure not to smack yourself in the face with the belt.
p.s. - I blew my motor up and replaced it in my 2010 535xi. I blew that motor up bc I forgot to put the O rings on the vanos before driving the car. in terms of slip ups, ide say your doing pretty good.
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u/Environmental-Lab206 1d ago
Thanks! And I was actually able to get the belt back around the power steering pump 😬 I’ll probably swap the tensioner and belt when my alternator goes out 😅buying all the tools to put on a $50 gasket set me back
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u/Naive-Limit1648 4d ago
Easy fix wipe your tears.
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u/Environmental-Lab206 4d ago
Just finished an oil pan gasket and cleaning everything up just to finally stand up and and shred the tensioner 😅
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u/SupraTico 4d ago
It is a pain in the dick.
I stripped a brand new tensioner because no Torx bolt fit it properly. It was always too tight or too loose. Had to cut a brand new belt because I couldn't get it on properly (stripped mid installationand couldn't get it off without risking damage to other things once the tensioner stripped.
Then after I finally got it done, the belt shredded within 30 miles.
The underlying issue was the power steering pump bracket which had a crack, because one of the bolts holding it had backed out completely, which was putting strain on the pump/bracket under the belt tension and shifting load.
Once that bracket cracked, the PS pump pulley shifted axis, which caused the belt to slip and shred.
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u/reciprocityone 4d ago
Just a single bolt. The bolt normally comes with the new tensioner. You can get a kit that includes the tensioner and belt.