Installed Pulley...Found WTF

Kyoshi71 · 12-21-2011, 06:29 AM

Just received my AA pulley yesterday and decided to get right into it. Outside of the fan assembly, which was a bitch to remove and install carefully, the job was simple. However, I was pretty surprised with what I found. Not only did I have a slow coolant leak coming from a hose coupling just underneath the charge pipe/airbox but my stock pulley was (no bullshit) hand-tight. All 6 bolts were so loose that I was able to remove them with a torx socket and an extension. AA says torque should be 18-22 ft lbs.

My car must have been assembled after a long night at the Hofbrauhaus.

dngo · 12-21-2011, 06:47 AM

18-22Ft lbs is basically barely hand tight. That is at the very lowest part of the range of the torque wrenches that most people have (to torque wheel bolts, etc.), so you really need a small torque wrench to measure that accurately.

Dave

Kyoshi71 · 12-21-2011, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dngo

18-22Ft lbs is basically barely hand tight. That is at the very lowest part of the range of the torque wrenches that most people have (to torque wheel bolts, etc.), so you really need a small torque wrench to measure that accurately.

Dave

I do have a small 3/8 drive torque wrench. 18-22 ft lbs (IMO) is more than hand tight and definitely more than the bolts were on the stock pulley. Just to compare, the stock bolts were, say, 3 ft lbs.

1sikbmr · 12-21-2011, 08:10 AM

the pulley swap was extremely straight forward once you get the fan assembly past all the hoses. How do you like the pulley otherwise?

THE TECH · 12-21-2011, 08:17 AM

Wow. Guess you caught that just in time. Been wanting to put my pulleys on but just can't be bothered with them atm.

immiketoo · 12-21-2011, 09:19 AM

Is a pulley really worth it?

THE TECH · 12-21-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immiketoo

Is a pulley really worth it?

With this car, you gotta take what you can get. I think the average is 5hp or less though.

TRY...M3 · 12-21-2011, 10:42 AM

Let us know how you feel about them after some driving!!

1sikbmr · 12-21-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immiketoo

Is a pulley really worth it?

yes

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

With this car, you gotta take what you can get. I think the average is 5hp or less though.

Hp gains are debatable but the rev happy feeling from the car is not. Makes a ton of difference IMO

THE TECH · 12-21-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sikbmr

yes

Hp gains are debatable but the rev happy feeling from the car is not. Makes a ton of difference IMO

What year is your E90?

1sikbmr · 12-21-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

What year is your E90?

08

THE TECH · 12-21-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sikbmr

08

Gotcha. I wanna see someone's install from a 6MT that's 2010 or newer.

Moxie · 12-21-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyoshi71

Just received my AA pulley yesterday and decided to get right into it. Outside of the fan assembly, which was a bitch to remove and install carefully, the job was simple. However, I was pretty surprised with what I found. Not only did I have a slow coolant leak coming from a hose coupling just underneath the charge pipe/airbox but my stock pulley was (no bullshit) hand-tight. All 6 bolts were so loose that I was able to remove them with a torx socket and an extension. AA says torque should be 18-22 ft lbs.

My car must have been assembled after a long night at the Hofbrauhaus.

On the coolant leak - Did you just have to tighten the coupling? Every now & then I smell a hint of coolant. I need to check this out.

1sikbmr · 12-21-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sikbmr

08

Gotcha. I wanna see someone's install from a 6MT that's 2010 or newer.

Hmmm dont think there is a difference except for the belt being two sided instead of single sided(for 08-09 models) but interested as well

Kyoshi71 · 12-21-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sikbmr

the pulley swap was extremely straight forward once you get the fan assembly past all the hoses. How do you like the pulley otherwise?

The install is straight forward no doubt. The fan was a little bit of a bitch. Also, contrary to what AA says, I did not remove the under panel and found that you can disconnect/reconnect the hoses to the underside of the fan just fine by reaching underneath just before the fan is fully seated.

Unfortunately, it started to pour rain as soon as I finished so the butt dyno has to wait. The quality, packaging, shipping and customer service at AA (as usual) is nothing short of pure excellence.

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Wow. Guess you caught that just in time. Been wanting to put my pulleys on but just can't be bothered with them atm.

I did catch it in time and I'm happy on one hand but kind of disappointed on the other. What brand pulley did you go with?

Quote:

Originally Posted by immiketoo

Is a pulley really worth it?

I think so. If I can get 10hp from this thing, it'll be the best hp/$$$ product on the market!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRY...M3

Let us know how you feel about them after some driving!!

Sure will

A funny thing I realized after the install...Many people worry about the color of thie pully tipping off the service dept that there are engine mods. Not really so as much as the belts. They're the dead giveaway.

THE TECH · 12-21-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyoshi71

I did catch it in time and I'm happy on one hand but kind of disappointed on the other. What brand pulley did you go with?

I got the MS ones.

Kyoshi71 · 12-21-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moxie

On the coolant leak - Did you just have to tighten the coupling? Every now & then I smell a hint of coolant. I need to check this out.

No, it's a typical German-style coupling where there is no "clamp." It's a plastic fitting that mates rubber hose to metal and is held in place by a u-clip. It will need to be replaced by warranty.

tom @ eas · 12-21-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immiketoo

Is a pulley really worth it?

Pulleys are definitely worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

With this car, you gotta take what you can get. I think the average is 5hp or less though.

We're seeing close to 8-10hp on the dyno.

Malek@MRF · 12-21-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dngo

18-22Ft lbs is basically barely hand tight. That is at the very lowest part of the range of the torque wrenches that most people have (to torque wheel bolts, etc.), so you really need a small torque wrench to measure that accurately.

Dave

This is very incorrect.

I would like to see anyone undo a 22 ft/lb torqued bolt by hand. Seriously, I would probably pay to see this.

SV Concepts II · 12-21-2011, 11:59 AM

Good thing you caught that leak. Definitely post up how you like the pulleys. The AA pulleys are solid

GIdriver · 12-21-2011, 12:06 PM

Not trying to thread jack but I believe I read somewhere that the Dinan pulley is smaller than the AA. Anyone knows if this is true? My concern is that in the AA website they say that they could have gone with a smaller pulley but this caused increased engine temps. I recently ordered the Dinan, hope it doesn't cause any overheating problems. Perhaps Dinan pulley owners can chime in.

Kyoshi71 · 12-21-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan@Jlevi SW

Good thing you caught that leak. Definitely post up how you like the pulleys. The AA pulleys are solid

I just scheduled my appointment for warranty service. It was my typical call to a service advisor:

Me: Have you seen this before?
SA: No
Me: Are you familiar with what I'm talking about?
SA: No
Me: Any idea how long it'll take?
SA: No
Me: Are you fucking alive over there?
SA: No
Me: Okay, write this down and then repeat after me: "No Test Drive, No Wash, No Software Updates."
Me: "LOUDER!!"

12-21-2011, 06:29 AM	#1
Kyoshi71 Colonel 93 Rep 2,528 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Installed Pulley...Found WTF Just received my AA pulley yesterday and decided to get right into it. Outside of the fan assembly, which was a bitch to remove and install carefully, the job was simple. However, I was pretty surprised with what I found. Not only did I have a slow coolant leak coming from a hose coupling just underneath the charge pipe/airbox but my stock pulley was (no bullshit) hand-tight. All 6 bolts were so loose that I was able to remove them with a torx socket and an extension. AA says torque should be 18-22 ft lbs. My car must have been assembled after a long night at the Hofbrauhaus. __________________ "But resist we much; we must; and we will much; about that be committed." ~Rev. Al Sharpton 2010 E92 M3\|Silverstone II\|M-DCT\|NCSW\|2MT\|ZCW\|ZPP\|ZTP\|302\|507\|Gas Guzzler Tax
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12-21-2011, 06:47 AM	#2
dngo Second Lieutenant 158 Rep 253 Posts Drives: '98 M3/4 TiAg, '15 M3 SO Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shrewsbury, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 1998 BMW M3/4 [0.00] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00]	18-22Ft lbs is basically barely hand tight. That is at the very lowest part of the range of the torque wrenches that most people have (to torque wheel bolts, etc.), so you really need a small torque wrench to measure that accurately. Dave
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12-21-2011, 08:10 AM	#4
1sikbmr Brigadier General 145 Rep 3,329 Posts Drives: F80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (16)	the pulley swap was extremely straight forward once you get the fan assembly past all the hoses. How do you like the pulley otherwise? __________________ F80 ///M3 6MT Avus Blue ZCP
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12-21-2011, 08:17 AM	#5
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	Wow. Guess you caught that just in time. Been wanting to put my pulleys on but just can't be bothered with them atm.
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12-21-2011, 10:42 AM	#8
TRY...M3 Major 86 Rep 1,430 Posts Drives: Depends on the day Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: PA iTrader: (2)	Let us know how you feel about them after some driving!! __________________ e92///M3 TT Lamborghini Gallardo INSTAGRAM: CHRISTIANPERLES Lamborghini-Talk.com: Christian.
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12-21-2011, 11:59 AM	#20
SV Concepts II 269 Rep 6,093 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (7)	Good thing you caught that leak. Definitely post up how you like the pulleys. The AA pulleys are solid
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12-21-2011, 12:06 PM	#21
GIdriver Major 68 Rep 1,359 Posts Drives: 2014 E63 AMG-S Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Somewhere in Time iTrader: (0)	Not trying to thread jack but I believe I read somewhere that the Dinan pulley is smaller than the AA. Anyone knows if this is true? My concern is that in the AA website they say that they could have gone with a smaller pulley but this caused increased engine temps. I recently ordered the Dinan, hope it doesn't cause any overheating problems. Perhaps Dinan pulley owners can chime in.
	Appreciate 0 Quote