Mine is making a noise, sounds like the bearing is shot. Various parts sites show a tensioner pulley for $25-35, as well as a tension assembly. Has anyone here actually changed the pulley on the tension assembly, or must I change the whole assembly. The (tension) pulleys listed on the web sites look like the idler pulley to me. I'd like to be sure before ordering anything.
what year car? Early models (2002 intro) had the tensioner on a pretty damn stiff spring. The factory tool makes it a pretty easy job to pull the belt. Have you done a pulley swap on the supercharger (assuming early model)
If its a newer one, I haven't got a clue.
2003 CooperS with the stock supercharger pulley.I've seen the special tool to compress the tensioner so you can put the "grenade pin" in it.
You can get a new Gates tensioner from Rock Auto for about $80. It is the OEM part. That's what I did, why mess around with the pulley when a failure with cause a bunch of extra damage.
Isn't the assembly known for failing and causing supercharger damage on these? If that's true, replacing the whole assembly (and adding a tensioner stop) seems like a no-brainer.
What Dizzy said: replace the entire assembly.
Get the tensioner tool or see if anyone in a local MINI club will lend it to you.
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