bolt question

[jaysee]

Hey I need a favor. I lost The shaft that the spring goes on for the timing belt tensoiner and don't have time to wait for one to ship in I order it. So I planed on cutting the head off a bolt and just putting a nut on to hold the spring
So my question is
how long is the shaft. How think and how far from the bottom is the flare to hold the spring
Thx

[MR 325]

NO.

Get the right part.

[Ceeker]

Man...don't Mcguiver the tensioner bolt or you'll be in for a lot more work then you anticipated...

Replace with the proper part as mentioned above.

[jaysee]

maybe that was a misunderstanding maybe not, just clarifying, im not trying to replace one of the bolts itself, but the pin that holds the spring wich from what i understand actually does not hold the tensioner in place,
the pin and spring fell out when i changed the water pump and i didnt relize what it was for at first, i asked this forum and everyone said dont worry about it because as long as the bolts on the tensioner are tight it makes no difference as the tensioner cant move
if you still think this is a big no no let me know..

[jlevie]

I think of the spring and pin as a means of setting initial TB tension as well as being a safety factor should the tension belt loosen. I would never would never run an engine without those parts in place. The spring and pin are cheap and not difficult to get.

[Ceeker]

maybe that was a misunderstanding maybe not, just clarifying, im not trying to replace one of the bolts itself, but the pin that holds the spring wich from what i understand actually does not hold the tensioner in place,
the pin and spring fell out when i changed the water pump and i didnt relize what it was for at first, i asked this forum and everyone said dont worry about it because as long as the bolts on the tensioner are tight it makes no difference as the tensioner cant move
if you still think this is a big no no let me know..

ummm...no misunderstanding here...ummm. ok...sure...don't worry about the spring and pin...they are in place just to look good and boggle your mind. strictly cosmetic...leave it out and drive for a while...

keep us posted as to what happens in the next while..I'll be dying to know.

sorry for the sarcasm...you've been warned...

[jaysee]

that is why i am trying to replace it.. i am not trying to go without it
its a "guide" pin, there should be no reason why i shouldnt be able to replicate it but sure
ill fuigure it out myself, easy to find online but not for me, i dont have the time to wait for it to ship, this is my only car, and i only have 3 more days in the garage were the car is at right now.. and im curently changing the head gasket, and im not walking 40 miles to the closest bmw dealership to get it
you dont gotta act like that if u dont understand the question
i have the spring , i wanted to make a guide
i know wtf its for and why it needs to be there,
i asked for mesurments not your petty bs but thx

[LagunaVert]

that is why i am trying to replace it.. i am not trying to go without it
its a "guide" pin, there should be no reason why i shouldnt be able to replicate it but sure
ill fuigure it out myself, easy to find online but not for me, i dont have the time to wait for it to ship, this is my only car, and i only have 3 more days in the garage were the car is at right now.. and im curently changing the head gasket, and im not walking 40 miles to the closest bmw dealership to get it
you dont gotta act like that if u dont understand the question
i have the spring , i wanted to make a guide
i know wtf its for and why it needs to be there,
i asked for mesurments not your petty bs but thx

Why bother to ask for advice if your just gonna refuse to take it bc its not what you wanted to hear? I say rather then spend the time trying to afro-american engineer a guide pin, take the time to look for the old one. Parts dont just vanish. It has to be around somewhere.

[jlevie]

i dont have the time to wait for it to ship, this is my only car, and i only have 3 more days in the garage were the car is at right now.. and im curently changing the head gasket, and im not walking 40 miles to the closest bmw dealership to get it

Overnight shipping will get the pin to you the next day.

If i had a pin handy, I'd get measurements off of it for your. But I'm not going to tear into any of the engines I have to get the pin out. That is too much work when a new pin is so easy to get.

[Mr.SWISS]

1.) Order part yesterday
2.) tension belt with a metal bar lightly
3.) tighten bolts
4.) drive car until part arrives.
5.) replace part
6.) quit acting like a sissy and figure this shit out.

[Ceeker]

THANK GOD there are people on here talking sense....you guys are nice to be going to all this trouble.

I really like #6..LOL

[browntown]

I have one off my car that I can send you priority for $10 shipped. Will go out tomorrow.