[BurrNinja]

Just replaced old belt tensioner due to rattle. Just had INA tensioner installed for maybe a month and it has same rattle as old one. Is there a reason it would fail so quickly? Video Attached 3 second clip.

I have life time warranty with FCPeuro also.

Update: Tensioner is fine, idler pulleys suspected bad, will be ordering new ones soon.

[Kotletachka]

Always check pulley alignments when installing tensioers and give them a good spin.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by BurrNinja

Just replaced old belt tensioner due to rattle. Just had INA tensioner installed for maybe a month and it has same rattle as old one. Is there a reason it would fail so quickly? Video Attached 3 second clip.


I have life time warranty with FCPeuro also.

Update: Tensioner is fine, idler pulleys suspected bad, will be ordering new ones soon.

Are you concerned about "rattle" noise? Or the visible movement?

If it's the noise - pull your oil filler cap and you might find the rattle you thought was the tensioner or pulley is actually the vacuum pump under the valve cover.

I did - and ordered belt parts it turns out I didn't need. I also crapped my pants when I heard the racket from under the valve cover until I learned it was normal, including a bit of a squeaky property in the sound until it's mostly warmed up.

If the movement is keeping you up at night, *some* movement is normal. The tension arm is supposed to deflect to maintain constant tension and that might mean movement. Especially if you're just starting up cold and the belt has been sitting stationary on the pulleys and cooled into a certain shape.

[BurrNinja]

Not keeping me up just a concern with rattle since all my parts are warrantied. I just needed a second opinion which I appreciate all the help! Also is that a typical noise of the vacuum pump?

[T-Bone18]

Mine does the same thing, 80k miles on the F10 N55 engine. I was thinking changing it, but apparently it's normal ?

[BurrNinja]

Originally Posted by T-Bone18

Mine does the same thing, 80k miles on the F10 N55 engine. I was thinking changing it, but apparently it's normal ?

Yeah I've come to learn slight vibration is normal, the ticking may also be the vacuum pump. Havent had any issues just a lot of learning being done on my end.

[95blkmax]

I had a nasty metallic tapping noise once the engine was warmed up that would start a touch off idle (around 900rpm). My AFR was all over the place between mid-13s to high 15s. I was scared it was my HPFP.

So I grabbed my mechanic's stethoscope and started poking around with a buddy holding the gas at the rpm the noise started. Low-n-behold, my 1.5yo INA belt tensioner (got it through ECS) was screwed up. Pulley's bearing was fine, but the tension mechanism was fubbar'd causing all kinds of clickitty-clacks. Replaced it with an actual BMW tensioner, and not all is well in the world.

Moral of the story- a cheap and simple mechanic's stethoscope saved me a ton of expensive work . I highly suggest you use one and really pin down the source of your noise. The tensioner's movement is within normal spec. So you just have to verify that the noise is in fact from there

[ey2001]

I'm in the process of replacing my belt, belt tensioner and idler pulley… just curious if I should just get genuine Bmw or go with INA… I am asking because there are mix reviews on it… any feedback welcome… thank you

[BurrNinja]

Originally Posted by ey2001

I'm in the process of replacing my belt, belt tensioner and idler pulley… just curious if I should just get genuine Bmw or go with INA… I am asking because there are mix reviews on it… any feedback welcome… thank you

Mine is so far good. Havent had an issue, come to conclusion it is supposed to have some slack in it just not major movement.

[BimmerHausPerformance]

Originally Posted by ey2001

I'm in the process of replacing my belt, belt tensioner and idler pulley… just curious if I should just get genuine Bmw or go with INA… I am asking because there are mix reviews on it… any feedback welcome… thank you

Mine has been a-ok so far. I guess it comes down to would it be worth it to re-do the job if you had to get it replaced under warranty?

[ey2001]

Originally Posted by BrowBMW

Mine has been a-ok so far. I guess it comes down to would it be worth it to re-do the job if you had to get it replaced under warranty?

I am planning to get it from fcpeuro… so I will do it again if it goes bad… just don't want to buy something cheaper and end up doing it again after a year or so… I was reading INA is oem Bmw supplier but just want to double check before ordering

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by ey2001

I'm in the process of replacing my belt, belt tensioner and idler pulley… just curious if I should just get genuine Bmw or go with INA… I am asking because there are mix reviews on it… any feedback welcome… thank you

INA is OE, by my recollection. It's the same thing.