e46 Idler Pulley

[CreamyGoodness]

hi guys, looking at replacing the above on my 330ci. Starting to sound like gerbils getting down and dirty in the engine bay. Not cool.
Is there any place to buy one of these locally (CT) other than BMW themselves?
If I have to go to the stealers, is there any branch in particular that would (or would not) be recommended?

TIA.

 

[P1000]

I don't think you have much of a chance of finding aftermarket replacements for those. If it is only the pulley+bearing you might be able to find something at Goldwagen, but I bet you will have to replace the hydraulic tensioner as well. BMW is not to expensive if you do the labor yourself.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

I don't think you have much of a chance of finding aftermarket replacements for those. If it is only the pulley+bearing you might be able to find something at Goldwagen, but I bet you will have to replace the hydraulic tensioner as well. BMW is not to expensive if you do the labor yourself.

thanks man,
Yeah, I was thinking about the tensioner pulley as well. will do it myself, provided I can get the fan and shroud off - I believe it's not necessary to remove it, but it makes the job a bit easier. Thing is, I don't have that funky spanners to remove the fan, so will have a look see tonight if I can work around it.

 

[P1000]

I don't think you have much of a chance of finding aftermarket replacements for those. If it is only the pulley+bearing you might be able to find something at Goldwagen, but I bet you will have to replace the hydraulic tensioner as well. BMW is not to expensive if you do the labor yourself.

thanks man,
Yeah, I was thinking about the tensioner pulley as well. will do it myself, provided I can get the fan and shroud off - I believe it's not necessary to remove it, but it makes the job a bit easier. Thing is, I don't have that funky spanners to remove the fan, so will have a look see tonight if I can work around it.

Just need one spanner+hammer. Believe me, it doesn't just make it a bit easier. I am sure I would break something if I attempt even replacing the belts without removing the fan + cowling.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

I don't think you have much of a chance of finding aftermarket replacements for those. If it is only the pulley+bearing you might be able to find something at Goldwagen, but I bet you will have to replace the hydraulic tensioner as well. BMW is not to expensive if you do the labor yourself.

thanks man,
Yeah, I was thinking about the tensioner pulley as well. will do it myself, provided I can get the fan and shroud off - I believe it's not necessary to remove it, but it makes the job a bit easier. Thing is, I don't have that funky spanners to remove the fan, so will have a look see tonight if I can work around it.

Just need one spanner+hammer. Believe me, it doesn't just make it a bit easier. I am sure I would break something if I attempt even replacing the belts without removing the fan + cowling.

really? so you just position the spanner over the nut and hit the crap out of it?
I saw a vid like that on YouTube but was very skeptical....with my luck the spanner goes flying into something else!

 

[P1000]

Just a firm tap will do, not too hard, but not soft, you can hold the spanner with one hand and tap with the other. Just remember its a left-hand thread.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

Just a firm tap will do, not too hard, but not soft, you can hold the spanner with one hand and tap with the other. Just remember its a left-hand thread.

Excellent, will attempt it this weekend. Thanks for your help man, much appreciated.

 

[jconradie]

Try Masterparts or Goodhope Motor Spares for the Idler and Tensioner Pulley. Think Masterparts is the cheapest and most the parts they stock are Febi Bilstein.

 

[moranor@axis]

gerbils getting down and dirty :mmm:

 

[SKALA]

Masterparts could help (6575757) or BRUCE'S spares (my first choice 6712274) close to Masterparts. Recently replace same parts on M43 motor, but your motor much more cramped for work space.