Belt is under 10K and didn’t appear to have a damage. Do I need to purchase that belt pulley tool or can I just install a new tensioner. Original tensioner had 110k on it any suggestions on which to buy Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You can replace it without the tool but its a pain in the a$$. If you are keeping the car buy the tool. The tool makes it soooo easy. Detroit Tuned has the tensioner for 127.95 and you can rent the tool from them for $20. Amazon has them for $79 or $102. Also Detroit Tuned sales the tool for $85
You can find the tensioner tool on amazon for cheap also. https://smile.amazon.com/Serpentine-Belt-Tool-Cooper-Comparable/dp/B0758C17KN/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1517242609&sr=8-12&keywords=mini+cooper+tensioner+tool
I’d figure that it would be a pain. Order the tool, for future. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Dave that was never replaced until now, not sure how it lasted so long. Did go with OEM this time Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I buy mine on Amazon as they are all made by gates just like the OEM one without the dealership mark up. (Link below) if you watch the price you will see them go for as little as $40.00. Oh I always have a new 535 belt (17 % now) and tensioner in my garage with the belt tool. They just hang on the wall just in-case myself or friend needs it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRXPA9C/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=IRER16CMWCW0R&colid=318T4VMKBFPZR&psc=0
we must have very similar garages - one tensioner, one idler pulley, 3 spare belts 535 and 532, since two of mine are 15% one is a 17% pulley
I've changed mine once. Having said that, the original one still looks like it's in perfectly fine shape and can be reused so I kept in as an emergency part. It's probably time for new one on my car anyways. So I would probably go get a new one. Those in the Pacific Northwest, particularly on the Canadian side of the border, I am more than happy to lend out my tensioner tool.
Same as OEM. Just add it to your Amazon watch list and watch the price drop down. I have picked them up for as low as $40 bucks. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRXPA9C/?coliid=IRER16CMWCW0R&colid=318T4VMKBFPZR&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it