1.9tdi alternator belt tensioner

[sbt]

hi all i am looking for a bit of advice regarding the alternator belt tensioner pulley. my car is an a4 1.9 tdi b6 with the 130 bhp engine and the tensioner pulley is chirping what i need to know is is it possible to replace this without pulling the bumper forward into the service mode . any advice would be much appreciated .

[richie_jones]

I've done it on a 1.8 with out putting in service mode, very tight though...

[Crasher]

The problem may be with your alternator pulley one way clutch, it is unlikely to be the tensioner, I have done two today.

[sbt]

The problem may be with your alternator pulley one way clutch, it is unlikely to be the tensioner, I have done two today.
hi thanks for the reply . i replaced the alternator clutch 2 weeks ago thinking that was the problem but unfortunately the chirp was still there . although there was some play in the clutch replacing this solved the vibration i was getting when turning the steering wheel when parking etc

[Crasher]

OK, so the pulley damaged the tensioner, that does happen.

[sbt]

OK, so the pulley damaged the tensioner, that does happen.
yes i suppose thats possible but can i replace it without pulling the bumper forward

[Crasher]

I can’t do it, I just can’t get my hands in there.

[sbt]

hi all ok i have bought the new tensioner , from what i can see there is only one way of fitting it. it as a threaded hole in the rear am i correct in thinking it just screws off

[Crasher]

Which year?

[sbt]

hi crasher . its a 2004 with the avf engine

[Crasher]

It changed in 2004 from a swing arm tensioner and separate damper bolted on from the front to an all in one spring loaded unit bolted in from behind.

[sbt]

It changed in 2004 from a swing arm tensioner and separate damper bolted on from the front to an all in one spring loaded unit bolted in from behind.
yes the one i have is the all in one spring loaded type

[sbt]

hi all does anybody know how to replace the type . do you spin it off from the front or have you got to get a spanner in behind

[Crasher]

spring loaded unit bolted in from behind.

It is held in position by a locating pin and bolted up from behind.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd20/Crasher1964/AVFbelttensioner2004on.jpg

[sbt]

thanks for that crasher its much appreciated

[lawsy]

Hi, just joined up and been reading this - got myself a nice A4 avante, B6 130 and the idiot i bought it from, after I test drove it, then before i picked it up decided to steam clean the engine - the result I think has caused the alternator pulley to stick

the steering feels notchy upon returning to centre and is noisy..

can just the alternator pulley be changed without the front off and removing the tensioner - or am I best getting the clutch pullet, tensioner and belt all changed at once??

[Crasher]

I struggle to do those without removing the alternator.

[A4 Les]

I have changed the belt , tensioner and removed the alternator from my 2003 a4 without removing the front , lost a bit of skin though.

[Crasher]

But did you change the alternator pulley?

[A4 Les]

I removed the alternator, bought the clutch pulley but took it to a garage they changed the pulley ,it cost me a £10 .

[S66MJETDI]

As part of a strip down for another issue I have found my aux belt tensioner to be in a very sorry state. The alternator pulley is in good order free wheeling as it should so not really sure why.

The damper / shock absorber on the tensioner has a bush at either end, the bush at the end closest to the tensioner pulley has disintegrated an worn the ally away to the point that the tip of the damper has been in contact with the pulley leaving 4 deep grooves in it. The pulley it's self has begun to break up in the centre........ the car has only* 128k on the clock..... Is this common?

[BMurr]

Well, Id been waiting to put in a big order for parts and to include the aux belt replacement kit for my avf 1.9tdi. It was making a lot of noise but I had become accustomed to it and thought it would wait for me. Driving on a straight road at 60 yesterday when I hear the sound of metallic parts hitting underside of car, thought it must have been a bit of debris until I saw the battery warning on dash and then knew what it was. Its tough trying to drive one of these cars with no belt to drive the power steering pulley but I managed to collect pulley, belt and roller from local parts outlet for a good price. I wonder if there is a way to relieve the stiffness of the steering when power pump not operating, it would be a lifesaver if on a long trip.

Went to do the job today thinking I'd get that tensioners back bolt off with a socket and short extension. There just isn't any space back there for a ratchet s far as I could tell, it looksclike an engine mount lives there and I wasn't going to mess with that. However I did get it off using a 13mm ring spanner, no need to remove the alternator on my car just took engine cover off for better visibility and access. The tensioner wriggled free with a bit of a nudge from a lever and the replacement was wriggled into place without having to do much pushing against fan shroud. Tried to get the roller off but it looks like a torx fitting and I didn't have any to fit, another day for that as thevold roller spins freely without noise. Put belt in position, but in applying pressure to release that locking pin I nudged the belt off the roller and spent best part of an hour trying to get the tensioner back to locked position. A box spanner would have been good as the spanner I had was up against the fan shroud and awkward as hell in the tight space there. Anyway, all running smooth now.

Photo shows spanner in position by bolt at rear of tensioner.

37869

[Crasher]

I take the alternator off and work on the bench, you will need a pulley removal tool, M10 XZN in the middle and a special hollow socket and I find it easier with an air gun.

[BMurr]

I take the alternator off and work on the bench, you will need a pulley removal tool, M10 XZN in the middle and a special hollow socket and I find it easier with an air gun.

The roller Im referring to is the one which is just a roller and not a pulley. Its located below the tensioner. I'm presuming the nut will have a regular right hand thread and can be turned anticlockwise to remove. I should get a set of those xzn.

[Crasher]

Remind me of year and engine code.

[BMurr]

Remind me of year and engine code.

2004 AVF 1.9tdi 130hp

[Crasher]

The design changed during 2004 from a hydraulic to friction damped tensioner, which type do you have?

[BMurr]

Its same aux belt tensioner as one in the diagram you put up crasher, so all in one with a spring. I reckon we were talking about different things though and that you may have been referring to the clutch pulley on the alternator.

[Crasher]

The later one, you unbolt it from behind and replace it as a unit.