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Thread: 540i VF belt/tensioner alignment issue

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Dunwoody, GA
    Posts
    159
    My Cars
    00 540i

    540i VF belt/tensioner alignment issue

    Hi everyone. I finally jumped into the BMW world and bought an 00 540i about 6 months ago with an older VF Vortech blower kit already installed. I didn't get a whole lot of information on the car and kit so I've been reading as much as I can. I love the car and it's been great, but it is a modified 18 year old car so there's plenty to learn about its history and repair/upgrade to get it very well sorted out.

    One of those issues is my belt to tensioner alignment. Pictures are below. I've read on Geargrinder's VF supplement instructions that you can use a flat pulley instead of one like I have. I may go this route but my concern is why am I having this issue to begin with? Does this appear to be the correct tensioner and the original pulley? It's obviously been riding on the ridge/flange for a while. Is there anything else I should verify or check before just replacing the pulley and or tensioner? I haven't noticed anything else. Yes, the front groove on the head unit pulley is empty.

    Also, while I have your attention, has anyone figure out a good way to keep oil from entering the intake tract after the air cleaner? I've seen it discussed but haven't come across a resolution to the issue yet. Mine appears to be suffering this same situation.




    Thanks for the help. Please feel free to point me towards any information you think I should be aware of concerning the car. I've got a lot to learn about it. I'm not new to cars. I'm just new to E39's
    Last edited by Sovereign540; 05-27-2019 at 09:38 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Dunwoody, GA
    Posts
    159
    My Cars
    00 540i
    Does no one have any input? Did I post this in the wrong forum?


    Thanks
    ~Trey

    00 540i/M6 Forgelines, M-pars, and boom, Oh my.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    New Westminster, B.C.
    Posts
    314
    My Cars
    1994 840ci,'97 M3
    cant see pictures

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Dunwoody, GA
    Posts
    159
    My Cars
    00 540i
    Hmm, they show up for me no problem. I did have to fix them though before I replied. They're direct links from Imgur. Does the forum allow that? I haven't seen a rule that says no. Just rules applying to using attached pictures.

    I appreciate you responding.
    ~Trey

    00 540i/M6 Forgelines, M-pars, and boom, Oh my.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    690
    My Cars
    '02 540i/6
    I don't see any pictures or links to said pictures either.
    2002 BMW Titanium Silver 540i/6-speed Sport - ZHP Shift Knob - M5 Clutch/TTV Racing 15.6lb Flywheel - M60 Intake Manifold - N62 84mm TB - Dinan Intake Tube - 4" MAF Tube - DUDMD Tune - Magnaflow Resonator - Eibach 18mm Rear Sway Bar - Powerflex Front Sway Bar Bushings - CDV Delete - UUC SS Brake Lines - Koni Yellow Shocks/Struts - Eibach Springs - Zionsville Radiator & FDM

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Dunwoody, GA
    Posts
    159
    My Cars
    00 540i
    Hmmm, I don't know then. I'm still seeing them, and I just logged back in to reply. I used image tags ie [img][/img] Anyone know if that's acceptable or if it's imgur that this website doesn't like?

    Thanks
    ~Trey

    00 540i/M6 Forgelines, M-pars, and boom, Oh my.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Dunwoody, GA
    Posts
    159
    My Cars
    00 540i
    OK, found the instructions that say image linking is allowed. Guess I have something not correct on my end. Please let me know if anything shows up below.



    Thanks
    Last edited by Sovereign540; 05-21-2019 at 03:02 PM.
    ~Trey

    00 540i/M6 Forgelines, M-pars, and boom, Oh my.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    690
    My Cars
    '02 540i/6
    Any luck resolving your issue? I know we haven't had a chance to see pictures, just wanted to check in. Have you tried reaching VF ?
    2002 BMW Titanium Silver 540i/6-speed Sport - ZHP Shift Knob - M5 Clutch/TTV Racing 15.6lb Flywheel - M60 Intake Manifold - N62 84mm TB - Dinan Intake Tube - 4" MAF Tube - DUDMD Tune - Magnaflow Resonator - Eibach 18mm Rear Sway Bar - Powerflex Front Sway Bar Bushings - CDV Delete - UUC SS Brake Lines - Koni Yellow Shocks/Struts - Eibach Springs - Zionsville Radiator & FDM

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Dunwoody, GA
    Posts
    159
    My Cars
    00 540i
    I've been out of town working so I haven't done anything with the car. I didn't even think to check in with VF since I'm owner number 3 with this kit. That's not a bad idea though.

    I appreciate the follow up. I have no idea what's going on with the pictures. It's got to be this board. I just checked another forum where I've posted pictures and they show up fine there. I'll keep looking into it.

    Thank you.
    ~Trey

    00 540i/M6 Forgelines, M-pars, and boom, Oh my.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Dunwoody, GA
    Posts
    159
    My Cars
    00 540i
    I created a flickr account. Are the pics visible in the first post now? They are to me.


    Thank you!
    Last edited by Sovereign540; 05-27-2019 at 10:38 PM.
    ~Trey

    00 540i/M6 Forgelines, M-pars, and boom, Oh my.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    690
    My Cars
    '02 540i/6
    Pic is working now. All I can say is that sure is interesting.
    2002 BMW Titanium Silver 540i/6-speed Sport - ZHP Shift Knob - M5 Clutch/TTV Racing 15.6lb Flywheel - M60 Intake Manifold - N62 84mm TB - Dinan Intake Tube - 4" MAF Tube - DUDMD Tune - Magnaflow Resonator - Eibach 18mm Rear Sway Bar - Powerflex Front Sway Bar Bushings - CDV Delete - UUC SS Brake Lines - Koni Yellow Shocks/Struts - Eibach Springs - Zionsville Radiator & FDM

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Dunwoody, GA
    Posts
    159
    My Cars
    00 540i
    I appreciate you confirming the pics could be seen. Thank you.
    ~Trey

    00 540i/M6 Forgelines, M-pars, and boom, Oh my.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    New Westminster, B.C.
    Posts
    314
    My Cars
    1994 840ci,'97 M3
    maybe check the bearing in the pully? can be replaced easily and cheaply

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Lansdale, Pa
    Posts
    7,043
    My Cars
    98 540 6, SC'ed, 16psi
    Yeah, that looks off for sure. I always hated the VF belt set-up. If the tensioner pivot is still good without fore/aft play, then its likely just off alignment for some reason. Not sure why... You could take off the tensioner and put a shim plate behind it to help move it forward a tad. If there is fore/aft play, change out the tensioner. Job kinda blows as you have to deal with the expansion tank to get to it.

    I was so sick of the VF setup, I did my own thing with a lot more boost. Super reliable at 16 psi with a six rib pulley. A decent pic here at post #229
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ock-M62/page10

    If you bored, you can see my iterations on this project starting from post #!. Super reliable daily driver at 500+ whp.

    You could do a similar pulley setup as mine and keep your stock lower boost SC pulley. You just have to drill the hole for the first idler over a bit so it does not rub the SC pulley. Or do what I did and go more boost, get bigger injectors, and a retune.
    98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Dunwoody, GA
    Posts
    159
    My Cars
    00 540i
    I appreciate the response and information! I'll look into this some more this weekend, maybe. I was thinking a shim or washer would space the tensioner out, but I was worried that would simply be putting a band aid on the real issue. I have a Zionsville radiator and shroud so yeah, this won't be a lot of fun if I have to pull it out.
    ~Trey

    00 540i/M6 Forgelines, M-pars, and boom, Oh my.

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