Guys, need quick help here. I'm going to replace accessory belts and rollers (squeaking and 105k miles), need serviced.
Looking at RealOEM but now sure which system I got. From a pictures and what I can see on top - it seem to be mechanical, RealOEM has 2 diagrams.
It's 94' 525, did they come in with hydraulic tensioners at all?
What else would you replace while there?
20190408_170623301_iOS.jpg
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...BMW-525i&mg=11
I think it doesn’t depend that much on the year. You’re right, from the picture, it looks to be mechanical; but you can very well install a hydraulic one in place of that one (with its specific rollers, though).
Other stuff to replace? Maybe check if you still have some composite pulleys; at least the water pump one has an OEM metal replacement, from what I remember.
Yep. I see they have replacement PNs for this stuff. Now I have dilemma. BMW parts going to be very expensive.
I'm thinking going FCP kits, any experience?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-11287636378kt
Cooling system also probably due for overhaul. Any experience with this stuff?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...e34-e34hosekit
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...i-525it-60743a
But this will give me one extra belt
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...kit-240432akt1
Well that's funny...
I'm actually in the middle of replacing my radiator and accessories, too. Also got the Nissens from FCP. So far, I'm still in the process of burping and re-burping it, checking and re-checking for leaks, all that funny stuff. I kinda had to enlarge one of the mounting holes for the fan shroud, but aside from that, it looks well made, knock on wood... I'll update when the rain and polen let me finish
I didn't get the belt kit, I already had hydraulic tensioners in good shape on mine. I did get the Contitech belt this time and the INA rollers last year; they're sturdy and quiet, and so far, so good.
I got the Rein hoses, nothing to report, they seem fine (well, they're new ). Water pump, after much debating, I splurged and got an EMP Stewart; the impeller is built like a tank, and the bearing is supposedly a heavy duty one. The one that was on the car before was a Geba with metal impeller, and it was installed in 2005, according to the PO's archives ( ); it was making the fan move a little wobbly, but aside from that, it still looked decent, even the o-ring was soft and pliable!
As I said, nothing else to report as the stuff is still new, but I hope the info might be helpful.
Thanks! I just decided to go with all FCP parts, let's see how it works. Mine as well while I'm there. Nissens brand for radiators was a recommendation in a days when I owned E39 540, thats why I'm getting it.
Yeah, I got the Nissens because I've read only good things about it on the internet, and not so good ones about the Behr...
All I can see from that image is the Idler Pulley.
INA is the OE supplier for the pulleys and the tensioners and are available at a greatly reduced cost as INA parts.
The hydraulic version is interchangeable for the spring tensioner, be sure to get the related hardware (bolts, washers, caps).
That said, there should be no issue with simply changing the pulley if you have either tensioner, though if hydraulic, the hydraulic (spring) could be worn out.
Have an extra pulley fastener on hand for the tensioner pulley, early are hex-key driven, later production went to torx.
Is the (above) view of www.realoem.com a result of using the last seven of your VIN?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last edited by bluptgm3; 04-09-2019 at 05:53 AM.
REALOEM is like that - gives heaps of variations even after you put in your VIN sometimes. I often need to check a lot of visual things on my car to get the right part.
If it was hydraulic there would be an external piston, but I can't see it in the pic because of the alternator cooling duct. The real OEM link shows where it would be (right under the cooling duct) and what it looks like.
Google image search this part number: 11281717188 That's the hydraulic tensioner
If it doesn't have that piston it's a spring (mech) tensioner
Last edited by fo3; 04-09-2019 at 10:10 AM.
The one from the picture looks mechanical to me because of the shape, too; the mechanical one is very blocky and flat, and the hydraulic one has more compound surfaces, even without taking the damper into account.
And yes, Realoem is a very helpful guide, but we shouldn't trust it to be 100% accurate when using the VIN tool; according to it, my car should have a cabin filter, but it doesn't- saddest part is the PO's archives include a receipt for a cabin filter change...
Well. My car had hydraulic tensioners. All disassembly completed but now I have "Where to stop" dilemma.
Tensioner rollers were definitely shot. I won't be able to replace all coolant hoses without pulling intake. If I pull intake - I have excellent access to started. If I do that - mine as well install manual swap I have. But I don't have time right now
Timing chain cover leaking on driver side Not going to deal with it now.. Just clean it.
PS hoses leaking - will replace those, no big deal. Any advice on ATF brand?
Alternator had play in shaft/bearing. Did anybody replace/rebuilt those? I hate installing any "refurbished" stuff from Autozone, I'd rather replace that bearing on mine.
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If you have hydraulic tensioner buy a 5mm longer vee belt than recommended. I'm not sure if it is a 90/91 problem or just that the hydraulic tensioners don't have as much movement in them compared to mechanical tensioners. But it seems every parts retailer just has 1 size for all e34 m50 and I'm going to assume that they assume all e34s are 1992-1995 mech tensioner TU vanos set ups.
The vee belt size given (for all m50 e34s) was etxremely difficult to fit onto a 09/90 with hydraulic tensioner and so tight I worried about bearing and belt damage.
E:
I found my old thread https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...erpentine-belt
standard is 6pk1555 but older/or hydraulic should have 6pk1560
Last edited by fo3; 04-15-2019 at 08:41 AM.
Here is a German language Seminar Arbeitsmaterial = training material for techs, download it, just for info http://www.bmwpower.cz/technika/m50.htm
Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!
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