AndrewS posted an image in this thread, although I'm not sure if it's working at the momentPreviously:
2005 D3 2.7 TDV6 S
1984 90 2.25 Petrol CSW
1992 90 200TDi Hard Top
1995 Discovery ES 300TDi
2003 90 TD5 Truck Cab
2nd Feb 2010 12:34 pm
The Transformer
Member Since: 22 Jan 2010
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 1791
Great to see so many write ups like this on the site, it fills me with more confidence that I will be able to keep on top of some of the problems that ours may throw up when we get it.
My worries of the jump between our D2 and the D3 are at least now lessened (trying not to read too many "I have a problem threads ) and I am hoping that I can DIY quite a few things as I have done on the D2.
2nd Feb 2010 12:49 pm
Iain G
Member Since: 31 Jan 2009
Location: Filey
Posts: 430
I note there are two tensioners on the auxiallary belt, of which ridgeback did the lower. Can anyone tell me if it wise to do the upper tensioner bearing at the same time and is it the same size bearing?
12th Aug 2010 8:52 pm
Iain G
Member Since: 31 Jan 2009
Location: Filey
Posts: 430
I have now completed the task of replacing the cam belt including renewing the aux belt roller bearings. I can confirm the upper roller is a 6203-2RS bearing as per the lower roller. However to change this bearing requires the drilling out or 3 x steel rivets in order to seperate the two halves of the roller. I would therefore recommend a new roller instead of trying to renew the bearing. Here are some pics of me changing the upper bearing if anyone ever has the need to do it without being able to get hold of a new roller at short notice.
Picture of lower tensioner on RHS, versus roller on LHS:
Prise the cap off the roller to expose a Torx bolt:
Click image to enlarge
Undo bolt and roller from shaft:
Drill out the three rivets, taking care not to damage the plastic shield that holds the cap in place. Use a screwdriver or two to prise the two halves apart, then tap out the bearing. The following picture shows the condition of the upper bearing (RHS) versus the lower roller bearing (LHS). As you can see it doesn't appear to have such a hard time as the lower gets, thus I would suggest not replacing unless it is noisy:
Click image to enlarge
The parts of the upper roller ready for re-assambly:
Click image to enlarge
And pop-riveted back together:
So in the end was a pointless task, but I thought it was worth documenting.
18th Aug 2010 10:53 pm
TAC
Member Since: 10 Feb 2011
Location: Hayle, Cornwall
Posts: 2
brilliant post...most helpful.
On the sport with dynamic response i understand their is another tensioner or idler, is that the same as the upper or lower ones in this thread?
11th Feb 2011 5:50 pm
Dan_NL
Member Since: 19 Sep 2010
Location: world
Posts: 1213
J@mes, what's your mileage...??? Since the belts are done at 105K could be a i TIP ! to all to replace it the same time...
Member Since: 26 Nov 2008
Location: on the east side
Posts: 541
There is a TSB in the pulley. New design has raised edges, so the belt won't slip...
30th Dec 2011 3:13 pm
gruodiz
Member Since: 16 Nov 2011
Location: Klaipeda
Posts: 294
What was the millage when it happened?
5th Jan 2012 6:30 pm
truck5181
Member Since: 31 Dec 2010
Location: york
Posts: 54
belt tensioner
mine started to squeal on our last offroad trip that involved a couple of river crossings (to test the newly fitted snorkel) anyway after looking on here for help and advice i decided to do it myself, not because im tight but because ive just had to pay for new wish bones front and rear, gearbox flush and the snorkel so could do without the labour charge so yesterday i replaced both top and bottom tensioners and the belt, all went well and managed to do it without removing the fan all i would say is ask someone to give a hand when putting the new belt on because its a tight little
22nd Jan 2012 3:40 pm
Dave T
Member Since: 03 Jul 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 6902
Could someone have a look at theirs and tell me, when its running at tickover, do the tensioners sit quite steady (the lower one specifically) or do they have a bit of flutter in them?Joined the BMWX5 45e group
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24th Jan 2012 8:23 am
DN D3 Decade
Member Since: 24 Jun 2006
Location: W.London.
Posts: 2293
Dave, the lower (spring loaded) tensioner on mine, has always jumped about a bit at any engine speed,(even when car was new). The upper one I think is fixed and therefore just a guide roller,so sits steady.
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Cut my hands up a bit, but went surprisingly well 
anyway after looking on here for help and advice i decided to do it myself, not because im tight but because ive just had to pay for new wish bones front and rear, gearbox flush and the snorkel so could do without the labour charge 
so yesterday i replaced both top and bottom tensioners and the belt, all went well and managed to do it without removing the fan 
