1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Tensioner belt bushing missing

The ALTA part is complete piece of junk. It's just an adjustible end link type turn buckle. It has no damper and it does not self adjust. The OEM one has a damper and a spring as part of the tensioner for a reason and its called harmonics.

I think I will put my money on BMW engineers over the back alley sell anything to make money know as ALTA's new product development team.

 

I can't on this site out of respect for Nathan and language limitations.

Alta should just stick to selling "actual size" stickers.

 

Way has some awesome replacements.

WMW Supercharger Belt Damper Bushing Set - Way Motor Works

 

Contact Way Motor Works on the replacement bushings. The oil leak you are noticing if I had to take a guess is your motor mount on that side, if it is one of the old oil filled ones. Way can help with it also.

 

It is more likely that the tensioner damper is shot and leaked oil out. The early cars didn't have the explosive leaking motor mount. I would suggest that you replace the whole tensioner assembly as the new bushing will not solve the problem of a failed damper.

 

The stop only keeps the thing from destroying itself should the belt break. It does not fix any of the problems.

I found a good price on a tensioner here...

Amazon.com: Gates 38404 Belt Tensioner: Automotive

 

From what I understand the tensioner stop does nothing unless the belt breaks. Some are saying that simply replacing the belt every year and inspecting the tensioner for wear when replacing the belt is the best preventative maintenance that you can perform with regards to the belt/tensioner.

 

Actually the Alta product will take care of most of the tensioner problems because it actually replaces the damper with an adjustable turnbuckle. The damper and associated bushings are what fail 99% of the time.

 

:lol::lol: Don't candy coat it like that DaveO. Tell them how you really feel.:lol::lol:

Jason

 

RuiSVasconcelos, how many miles on your MINI. If it is high on miles you may want to replace the tensioner. While at it those bushings from WAY would be good to add to the new tensioner.

Welcome to M/A

 

^^^^^+1 My bearings were shot in mine, it is a fairly cheap easy fix to replace the whole thing. While your at it check your idler pulley, mine was also shot...

 

Does the alta adjustable tensioner stop fix all the tensioners problems? Or are there other parts on the tensioner that go bad..?