Serp Alternator pulley wheel (tensioner)
Discussion
My original tensioner has given up the ghost 66,000 miles and all that heat so not bad really.
Looked about on flee bay and decided to get one from Powers Performance as it was only £35 + fat
And I like to support the independent Tvr specialists who only sell good stuff!
10 min job to replace so easy enough
I notice that when you first fire the engine the tensioner moves slightly, I know the set up is bulky and heavy but I like the fact it's spring loaded and keeps a good tension on the belt.
Looked about on flee bay and decided to get one from Powers Performance as it was only £35 + fat
And I like to support the independent Tvr specialists who only sell good stuff!
10 min job to replace so easy enough
I notice that when you first fire the engine the tensioner moves slightly, I know the set up is bulky and heavy but I like the fact it's spring loaded and keeps a good tension on the belt.
I'm a JE alternator bracket fan myself Alun.
I went through two of those tensioners in 40,000 miles, the first lasted 30k and it's replacement only did 10k before it was completely feked!
In both cases the bearing failed, here's the one that came from a TVR parts specialist that failed at just 10k ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8zj3TRGUmE
Actually it probably only did 6k before the bearing started to give out, I have no cats too so the tensioner was subjected to far less radiant exhaust heat than most.
I went through two of those tensioners in 40,000 miles, the first lasted 30k and it's replacement only did 10k before it was completely feked!
In both cases the bearing failed, here's the one that came from a TVR parts specialist that failed at just 10k ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8zj3TRGUmE
Actually it probably only did 6k before the bearing started to give out, I have no cats too so the tensioner was subjected to far less radiant exhaust heat than most.
Steve_D said:
phillpot said:
Pulley bearing can be pressed out and replaced for just a few pounds 
You beat me to it.Pick the highest quality bearing you can find and it will still be less than a fiver.
Steve
I like the JE one too Dave, maybe one day I'll get one.
ChimpOnGas said:
I'm a JE alternator bracket fan myself Alun.
I went through two of those tensioners in 40,000 miles, the first lasted 30k and it's replacement only did 10k before it was completely feked!
In both cases the bearing failed, here's the one that came from a TVR parts specialist that failed at just 10k ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8zj3TRGUmE
Actually it probably only did 6k before the bearing started to give out, I have no cats too so the tensioner was subjected to far less radiant exhaust heat than most.
Was it just the bearing gone? There looks a load of play as though the fit in the pulley was knackered.I went through two of those tensioners in 40,000 miles, the first lasted 30k and it's replacement only did 10k before it was completely feked!
In both cases the bearing failed, here's the one that came from a TVR parts specialist that failed at just 10k ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8zj3TRGUmE
Actually it probably only did 6k before the bearing started to give out, I have no cats too so the tensioner was subjected to far less radiant exhaust heat than most.
I love the video you can just see all your thoughts being played out through your hand "unf
king believable" 
Well that's what I'd be thinking I've also just looked at the vid, 
how many times do you need to wobble that to make a point 
Leave it out Dave, you must have driven that to destruction, I noticed mine making that recognisable sound of it starting to go and replaced it within days,, how long did you drive it fecked, or did it go bad very quickly?
It is funny, imagining your exasperation at that ste!
I 'll do the mod one day as it would tidy the front up nicely.
I'm bloody annoyed I didn't consider just replacing my bearing,, £5 jeez!
how many times do you need to wobble that to make a point Leave it out Dave, you must have driven that to destruction, I noticed mine making that recognisable sound of it starting to go and replaced it within days,, how long did you drive it fecked, or did it go bad very quickly?
It is funny, imagining your exasperation at that s
te! I 'll do the mod one day as it would tidy the front up nicely.
I'm bloody annoyed I didn't consider just replacing my bearing,, £5 jeez!
Edited by ClassiChimi on Friday 22 July 09:38
Has anyone actually replaced the bearing in their tensioner?
When I looked at mine the bearing was encased by the plastic pulley, the pulley was effectively molded around the bearing making pressing the old one out and a new one in impractical.
Alun, you have such a nice clean engine bay it's literally crying our for a JE alternator bracket mate.
Complete the good work you've already done with the super neat and totally reliable JE alternator bracket mod, you owe it to your beautifully presented Chimaera!
Dave
When I looked at mine the bearing was encased by the plastic pulley, the pulley was effectively molded around the bearing making pressing the old one out and a new one in impractical.
Alun, you have such a nice clean engine bay it's literally crying our for a JE alternator bracket mate.
Complete the good work you've already done with the super neat and totally reliable JE alternator bracket mod, you owe it to your beautifully presented Chimaera!
Dave
bobfather said:
Does the JE mod require a different length belt?
Yes, the belt that worked for me on my power steering late 96 Serp Chimaera was a PK7 1605.The PK7 1605 is readily available, I went with a quality Gates brand belt purchased very inexpensively from AllParts, I believe the PK7 1605 belt size is used as standard on a BMW E38.
Here's a decent quality Dayco one for less than £15 delivered to your door.....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-730-3-0-Multi-V-Driv...
It's been over two years since I fitted the JE bracket and PK7 1605 belt, the setup has proved to be a totally reliable.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=28&...
No belt noises or slip whatsoever, just a much neater engine bay and no more nasty tensioner bearing failures!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Steve_D said:
ChimpOnGas said:
Has anyone actually replaced the bearing in their tensioner?....
Yes many times. We keep the bearings in stock.Steve
.Local engineering shop will identify the bearing if you can get it out.
Dave, I wish I'd not even looked at that picture,,,,, cheers
Stop with your sales patter will ya
It's one of those that doesn't seem important but freeing up all that air space around the front of the engine can't be a bad thing.
I'd like to polish up my Rocker boxes someday so that's when I'm likely to do the JE thang.
So there's no problem with the xtra load on the alternator bearing?
Dave, I wish I'd not even looked at that picture,,,,, cheers
Stop with your sales patter will ya
It's one of those that doesn't seem important but freeing up all that air space around the front of the engine can't be a bad thing.
I'd like to polish up my Rocker boxes someday so that's when I'm likely to do the JE thang.
So there's no problem with the xtra load on the alternator bearing?
igiveup said:
I'm interested in the bearing replacement idea at the moment, what and where do you get them?
Eriks are one of many reputable suppliers, most are aimed at the trade but in this day and age "money is money" and they'll happily do a cash sale.Or there is always Ebay.
If you get the old bearing out you should find a code on it.
phillpot said:
igiveup said:
I'm interested in the bearing replacement idea at the moment, what and where do you get them?
Eriks are one of many reputable suppliers, most are aimed at the trade but in this day and age "money is money" and they'll happily do a cash sale.Or there is always Ebay.
If you get the old bearing out you should find a code on it.
ClassiChimi said:
So there's no problem with the xtra load on the alternator bearing?
None whatsoever Alun, two years on and no issues at all, other JE alternator bracket converts will confirm the same.Do yourself a favour and loose that sprung loaded bouncing rattling plastic jockey wheel with it's short lived bearing issues.
You know you want to
Am I right in thinking the adjuster arm is fixed via the water pump bolts, can't quite work it out.
It is very neat I must say.
How much was it,
I've got a very expensive grandson on my hands this summer,, get my drift!
I don't want to know anymore but I will ask again, just for reference,,,, how much Davie boy.
Don't answer please I'm sure I can find out if I bother looking, I've just blown 40 squid on the nasty plastic one, I've got to use it up now!
In defence of the original I'm pretty sure it's been on the car 16 years and 66,000 miles,,,
Saying that I bought the car with 38,000 miles on the clock ( roughly 3000 miles a year milage) so it was hardly getting a hammering, but that's really the problem with low milage examples, everything siezes up.
To be honest I sometimes just think stop modding,, I keep getting wrapped up in the value and originality etc etc I don't want some anorack telling me I've ruined my car,,, if you've seen my steering wheel grotesque centre piece you'll tell me I've already done that.
The first three years of my Tvr ownership was pain pain and a bit more pain,, the last year has been out this world, I can't bare to pull it apart for anything right now, she's been right by my side and giving me some confidence in a desperate time in my life,, thank the stars I got this car, it helps me stay focused on good st.
It is very neat I must say.
How much was it,
I've got a very expensive grandson on my hands this summer,, get my drift!
I don't want to know anymore but I will ask again, just for reference,,,, how much Davie boy.
Don't answer please I'm sure I can find out if I bother looking, I've just blown 40 squid on the nasty plastic one, I've got to use it up now!
In defence of the original I'm pretty sure it's been on the car 16 years and 66,000 miles,,,
Saying that I bought the car with 38,000 miles on the clock ( roughly 3000 miles a year milage) so it was hardly getting a hammering, but that's really the problem with low milage examples, everything siezes up.
To be honest I sometimes just think stop modding,, I keep getting wrapped up in the value and originality etc etc I don't want some anorack telling me I've ruined my car,,, if you've seen my steering wheel grotesque centre piece you'll tell me I've already done that.
The first three years of my Tvr ownership was pain pain and a bit more pain,, the last year has been out this world, I can't bare to pull it apart for anything right now, she's been right by my side and giving me some confidence in a desperate time in my life,, thank the stars I got this car, it helps me stay focused on good s
t. ClassiChimi said:
Am I right in thinking the adjuster arm is fixed via the water pump bolts, can't quite work it out.
It is very neat I must say.
How much was it,
I've got a very expensive grandson on my hands this summer,, get my drift!
I don't want to know anymore but I will ask again, just for reference,,,, how much Davie boy.
Don't answer please I'm sure I can find out if I bother looking, I've just blown 40 squid on the nasty plastic one, I've got to use it up now!
In defence of the original I'm pretty sure it's been on the car 16 years and 66,000 miles,,,
Saying that I bought the car with 38,000 miles on the clock ( roughly 3000 miles a year milage) so it was hardly getting a hammering, but that's really the problem with low milage examples, everything siezes up.
To be honest I sometimes just think stop modding,, I keep getting wrapped up in the value and originality etc etc I don't want some anorack telling me I've ruined my car,,, if you've seen my steering wheel grotesque centre piece you'll tell me I've already done that.
The first three years of my Tvr ownership was pain pain and a bit more pain,, the last year has been out this world, I can't bare to pull it apart for anything right now, she's been right by my side and giving me some confidence in a desperate time in my life,, thank the stars I got this car, it helps me stay focused on good st.
Alun all the mods you have done to your car make it a better and safer car to drive, I would not worry about devaluation from your modifications, but unfortunatley like all the money we spend on these cars we may never see most of it back if we came to sell up. I see TVR's for sale which say they are as original as they have left the factory and chassis is waxolyed regulary? which to me springs to mind is have they actually had any work do to them apart from the obligatory outrigger replacment. TVR raided just about everyones car parts bins to build these cars It is very neat I must say.
How much was it,
I've got a very expensive grandson on my hands this summer,, get my drift!
I don't want to know anymore but I will ask again, just for reference,,,, how much Davie boy.
Don't answer please I'm sure I can find out if I bother looking, I've just blown 40 squid on the nasty plastic one, I've got to use it up now!
In defence of the original I'm pretty sure it's been on the car 16 years and 66,000 miles,,,
Saying that I bought the car with 38,000 miles on the clock ( roughly 3000 miles a year milage) so it was hardly getting a hammering, but that's really the problem with low milage examples, everything siezes up.
To be honest I sometimes just think stop modding,, I keep getting wrapped up in the value and originality etc etc I don't want some anorack telling me I've ruined my car,,, if you've seen my steering wheel grotesque centre piece you'll tell me I've already done that.
The first three years of my Tvr ownership was pain pain and a bit more pain,, the last year has been out this world, I can't bare to pull it apart for anything right now, she's been right by my side and giving me some confidence in a desperate time in my life,, thank the stars I got this car, it helps me stay focused on good s
t. , and most of the parts were poor quality. Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff