Just followed these instructions for my new-to-me 96 318ti and it worked perfectly! Thank you for the write up, just had the following comments for future people doing this fix:
- The bit to remove the idler pulley screw is a T50 Torx bit. Make sure you have that size before starting the job otherwise you will have to make a hardware store trip.
- Keep plenty of shop towels on hand to soak up all the old oil that leaked.
- Seems like people aren't sure whether or not they should buy the bush/valve, definitely buy one because it seems like the last person to do the job on my car used the wrong size bush which probably explained at least part of my leak. You don't want to get to that step and realize the bush is the problem or its orings are bad and not have one on hand.
- The alternator is a pain to get out and in ! Just be patient, use WD40 and rock it back and forth to get in/out. I will be honest and say that I used a flathead and hammer to get the alternator back in but do that at your own risk.