328i Belt Tensioner Defect?

db2112 · 12-23-2012, 08:21 PM

Had my car (2007 328i) serviced recently at a local independent BMW shop. The tech told me that my serpentine belt was slipping off due to a defective belt tensioner - the belt has about 1-2mm hanging over edge of top pulley. The tech says the belt tensioner pulley frame is bending and that this was a known defect but BMW won't recognize it. Only recourse is to replace the entire belt tensioner pulley and frame assembly.

I have searched and haven't found this discussed by anyone else. Is this really a known issue with these cars? Or is he maybe playing some kind of repair shop game here?

kiwi29 · 12-23-2012, 10:42 PM

It really is a tensioner defect, mine is the exact same and when I look at other's, it sits picture perfect. It isn't anything really horrible but you might wanna change it out sooner than later. I'm about to do the same but I'm not sure where exactly to start

rorkor · 12-24-2012, 03:12 AM

Damn Kiwi, it's one thing after another for you and your ride. Now I am gonna get up in the morning and check mine.

kiwi29 · 12-24-2012, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rorkor

Damn Kiwi, it's one thing after another for you and your ride. Now I am gonna get up in the morning and check mine.

You have no idea -.- lol I feel like I have a lemon sometimes

monkey_wrench · 12-26-2012, 05:53 AM

Mine did it - but the Alu bolt that holds the tensioner in the block had broken. New bolt, tensioner assy, belt and deflection pulley - Around $300.
Took less than an hour to install.

Fortyb · 12-26-2012, 08:16 AM

They just replaced the Bolt on mines....I found out mines was bad when i heard some squeaking sounds coming from the engine bay...waited until i got home looked under the hood... i did not see anything...turned the car on looked and listened and notice the belt was hanging on by a thread on the tensioner pulley

..Quickly shut the car off and had it towed to BMW.

mlifxs · 12-26-2012, 11:28 AM

mine went bad ariund 74k miles.

db2112 · 12-27-2012, 07:42 PM

Well, sorry I'm not the only one but glad to know the indie shop isn't gaming me - they will be my full time shop in a few months. My car is due for maintenance at dealer (probably the last one before free maint. expires in April), so will have them look at belt. For the record, I have 61K miles on car. Definitely will get it fixed, last thing I need is to be out of town with a broken car. Thanks for input!

Aperture Vision · 01-03-2013, 09:32 PM

Like others, I heard mine squealing and checked it and noticed the head of the bolt came off which caused the tensioner to become cocked. I have 98k miles on the car so I decided to replace it along with the idler pulley and belt. It's literally a 45 minute job

rorkor · 01-03-2013, 11:32 PM

Other than Kiwi's lemon

, notice how this is all '06 & '07s. It is interesting to see the 5 year issues and if they resolved any of them in the LCI models, other than a certain one.

Xplore · 01-06-2013, 11:30 AM

My tensioner bolt broke as well. 105,000 miles. No warning signs that it was about to happen, battery light just came on and lost power steering. Had it towed to a indy shop and they had a fit extracting the bolt. $550 for parts and labor to get it fixed.

E90MYKE · 02-08-2013, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xplore

My tensioner bolt broke as well. 105,000 miles. No warning signs that it was about to happen, battery light just came on and lost power steering. Had it towed to a indy shop and they had a fit extracting the bolt. $550 for parts and labor to get it fixed.

I replaced mine. Head of the bolt sheared off. I replaced the pulley and belt for less than $100. It's not a bad DIY. You can do it in hour and a half.

hxs80 · 02-08-2013, 09:59 PM

I just had this done today. I took the car in for a misfire issue (coil #5) and they found a bad bushing (or bearing) and a squeak. They went ahead and replaced it. I had no idea it was bad nor did I hear any noticeable squeaking. Just another common n52 issue added to the list. I have 68k miles on my car.

modugula · 04-29-2013, 10:56 PM

i took my car for battery cable recall. Dealer noticed 2 issues. 1 belt is offset on tensioner 450$ 2. DSC light on due to bad steering angle sensor.(1200$).

i am gonna replace by self and post some pictures this weekend.

MediumLebowski · 04-30-2013, 08:46 AM

I have a '10 with 40k. CPO had to put a new tensioner and belt on last week.

ny325 · 08-10-2013, 04:35 PM

Had mine replaced today. Tech said that it's a common problem. I have a 2008 328i with 47,000 miles. It cost me $500 to repair. Tech also said I have a very light oil leak from the gaskets. Nothing major, however, will have to also repair that. I can't understand what's going on. If the belts are a problem, why isn't BMWNA taking care of it. I think I'm going to call BMWNA on Monday, and see what they say. We shouldn't get stuck with a pretty hefty repair bill if it's an issue. I'm saying recall.

McAuley7 · 08-10-2013, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modugula

i took my car for battery cable recall. Dealer noticed 2 issues. 1 belt is offset on tensioner 450$ 2. DSC light on due to bad steering angle sensor.(1200$).

i am gonna replace by self and post some pictures this weekend.

Lol weird same battery recall and they told me the tensioner and idle pulley is failing...

BAMxi · 08-10-2013, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic777

Quote:

Originally Posted by modugula

i took my car for battery cable recall. Dealer noticed 2 issues. 1 belt is offset on tensioner 450$ 2. DSC light on due to bad steering angle sensor.(1200$).

i am gonna replace by self and post some pictures this weekend.

Lol weird same battery recall and they told me the tensioner and idle pulley is failing...

same here. went in for battery recall and the tech noted my tensioner pulley was "loose." replaced mine myself for $111 in parts. took less than an hour and I replaced the belt, tensioner, and idle pulleys. dealer wanted $650 to do the job.

BAMxi · 08-10-2013, 10:31 PM

oh, and I just broke 70k miles.

StealYourFace · 08-10-2013, 11:12 PM

A preventative maintenance item or product defect,
depending on how you look at it.

carlos916 · 08-10-2013, 11:47 PM

had mines replaced like 3 weeks ago..@ 40k miles on my '08 dealership did a check up and saw that it was going bad so replaced it.. paid 100$ deductible

ny325 · 08-14-2013, 12:27 AM

This sounds like a recall BMWNA is hiding.

12-23-2012, 08:21 PM	#1
db2112 Enlisted Member 9 Rep 30 Posts Drives: '07 328i Sedan Sport Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cary, NC iTrader: (0)	328i Belt Tensioner Defect? Had my car (2007 328i) serviced recently at a local independent BMW shop. The tech told me that my serpentine belt was slipping off due to a defective belt tensioner - the belt has about 1-2mm hanging over edge of top pulley. The tech says the belt tensioner pulley frame is bending and that this was a known defect but BMW won't recognize it. Only recourse is to replace the entire belt tensioner pulley and frame assembly. I have searched and haven't found this discussed by anyone else. Is this really a known issue with these cars? Or is he maybe playing some kind of repair shop game here?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-24-2012, 03:12 AM	#3
rorkor Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 277 Posts Drives: '11 E90 N52 6MT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: here iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E70 X5 35d [10.00] 2011 E90 328i [10.00]	Damn Kiwi, it's one thing after another for you and your ride. Now I am gonna get up in the morning and check mine. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-26-2012, 08:16 AM	#6
Fortyb M-GAM3 240 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2016 SO M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Huntsville,Al/WHO DAT iTrader: (3)	They just replaced the Bolt on mines....I found out mines was bad when i heard some squeaking sounds coming from the engine bay...waited until i got home looked under the hood... i did not see anything...turned the car on looked and listened and notice the belt was hanging on by a thread on the tensioner pulley..Quickly shut the car off and had it towed to BMW. __________________ Car Enthusiast.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-26-2012, 11:28 AM	#7
mlifxs Diamond Geezer 227 Rep 2,384 Posts Drives: Jet Black 2007 328i Saloon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (6) Garage List 2016 VW Golf Sportw ... [10.00]	mine went bad ariund 74k miles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-27-2012, 07:42 PM	#8
db2112 Enlisted Member 9 Rep 30 Posts Drives: '07 328i Sedan Sport Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cary, NC iTrader: (0)	Well, sorry I'm not the only one but glad to know the indie shop isn't gaming me - they will be my full time shop in a few months. My car is due for maintenance at dealer (probably the last one before free maint. expires in April), so will have them look at belt. For the record, I have 61K miles on car. Definitely will get it fixed, last thing I need is to be out of town with a broken car. Thanks for input! Last edited by db2112; 12-27-2012 at 07:43 PM.. Reason: hit submit too early
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-26-2012, 05:53 AM	#5
monkey_wrench Caught the Bimmer-Bug 52 Rep 639 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (10) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Mine did it - but the Alu bolt that holds the tensioner in the block had broken. New bolt, tensioner assy, belt and deflection pulley - Around $300. Took less than an hour to install.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-03-2013, 09:32 PM	#9
Aperture Vision New Member 2 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 325i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Virginia, USA iTrader: (0)	Like others, I heard mine squealing and checked it and noticed the head of the bolt came off which caused the tensioner to become cocked. I have 98k miles on the car so I decided to replace it along with the idler pulley and belt. It's literally a 45 minute job
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-03-2013, 11:32 PM	#10
rorkor Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 277 Posts Drives: '11 E90 N52 6MT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: here iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E70 X5 35d [10.00] 2011 E90 328i [10.00]	Other than Kiwi's lemon , notice how this is all '06 & '07s. It is interesting to see the 5 year issues and if they resolved any of them in the LCI models, other than a certain one. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-06-2013, 11:30 AM	#11
Xplore New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: '06 325xiT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (0)	My tensioner bolt broke as well. 105,000 miles. No warning signs that it was about to happen, battery light just came on and lost power steering. Had it towed to a indy shop and they had a fit extracting the bolt. $550 for parts and labor to get it fixed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-08-2013, 09:59 PM	#13
hxs80 Private 5 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 328i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	I just had this done today. I took the car in for a misfire issue (coil #5) and they found a bad bushing (or bearing) and a squeak. They went ahead and replaced it. I had no idea it was bad nor did I hear any noticeable squeaking. Just another common n52 issue added to the list. I have 68k miles on my car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-29-2013, 10:56 PM	#14
modugula Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW 328I Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	same problem here... i took my car for battery cable recall. Dealer noticed 2 issues. 1 belt is offset on tensioner 450$ 2. DSC light on due to bad steering angle sensor.(1200$). i am gonna replace by self and post some pictures this weekend.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-30-2013, 08:46 AM	#15
MediumLebowski Commodore 5 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 328 E90 gone, EVO X Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SEPA iTrader: (1) Garage List 10 328i [0.00]	I have a '10 with 40k. CPO had to put a new tensioner and belt on last week.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-10-2013, 04:35 PM	#16
ny325 Brigadier General 969 Rep 3,165 Posts Drives: Jet Black E90 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gridlock iTrader: (0)	Had mine replaced today. Tech said that it's a common problem. I have a 2008 328i with 47,000 miles. It cost me $500 to repair. Tech also said I have a very light oil leak from the gaskets. Nothing major, however, will have to also repair that. I can't understand what's going on. If the belts are a problem, why isn't BMWNA taking care of it. I think I'm going to call BMWNA on Monday, and see what they say. We shouldn't get stuck with a pretty hefty repair bill if it's an issue. I'm saying recall.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-10-2013, 10:31 PM	#19
BAMxi Lieutenant 34 Rep 487 Posts Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Columbia, MO iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 328xi [10.00]	oh, and I just broke 70k miles. __________________ Eibach Pro Kit \| 19" Avant Garde M341 \| BMS PBX
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-10-2013, 11:12 PM	#20
StealYourFace Lieutenant Colonel 273 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: F30 328i M 6mt, E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Shakedown Street, Buffalo NY iTrader: (1)	A preventative maintenance item or product defect, depending on how you look at it. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-10-2013, 11:47 PM	#21
carlos916 Semper Fi 218 Rep 464 Posts Drives: E60 M5 / G87 M2 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW M2 [10.00] 2006 BMW M5 [10.00]	had mines replaced like 3 weeks ago..@ 40k miles on my '08 dealership did a check up and saw that it was going bad so replaced it.. paid 100$ deductible
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-14-2013, 12:27 AM	#22
ny325 Brigadier General 969 Rep 3,165 Posts Drives: Jet Black E90 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gridlock iTrader: (0)	This sounds like a recall BMWNA is hiding.
	Appreciate 0 Quote