Replacing Serpintine Belt

[Tinnycan]

Thought this would be easy but now thinking the front has to come off. Not much room to get hand down between rad & tensioner.

[MarkTM]

Nope entirely possible, I had my mechanic replace my alternator in August and he was able to do so without removing the front.

I had a spare Aux belt and he was happy to change at the same time, but said that my current one had no cracks or signs of wear so not done.

[Tinnycan]

Thanks Mark, Will have a look from under the car tomorrow. No room for a socket only spanner and with that a long one. Will take a couple of photos of it tomorrow.

[Tinnycan]

I done the job today, Was able to get more leverage on the spanner from the nut on the tensioner underneath the car. A tip I found was to loop the Belt under the C/S pully then around Altenator & Tensioner Roller, Then A/C Pully. Leave P/S Pully last while holding the tensioner fully back. Went on 1st time. Took about 20 mins but would do it in 10 next time.

[EssexGonzo]

Is the serpentine belt the same as the aux belt and is it the one right at the front that rattles at idle after a cold start?

[Tinnycan]

Serpentine Belt is the one at the front. We used to call it Fan Belt. Never found it to rattle though. Maybe timing chain will rattle.

[Doctle Odd]

Is the serpentine belt the same as the aux belt and is it the one right at the front that rattles at idle after a cold start?

The rattle you hear is probably either the belt tensioner or alternator pulley clutch. You should get it checked

[TexasAj]

Hello all, I am replacing my serpentine belt (102k miles) and searched thru this site for images or videos. I can't find it. Any suggestions? I really do appreciate it.

Andy
from California US

[MarkTM]

Andy ,you've not stated your model or year, but as you're across the pond will assume petrol 3.2.

There's plenty of advice guidance on-line and this one (first search on google) is American

Serpentine belt change on 4.2 - Page 2 - AudiWorld Forums (http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-s6-c6-platform-discussion-58/serpentine-belt-change-4-2-a-2841128/page2/)

[Whippy53]

Hello all, I am replacing my serpentine belt (102k miles) and searched thru this site for images or videos. I can't find it. Any suggestions? I really do appreciate it.

Andy
from California US
Welcome.

[B5NUT]

I replaced my belt this year but while I was in there I also replaced the tensioner (that really was very weak after 8 years) and the thermostat and water pump. As I was doing these extra bit I did take the bumper off for my belt change.

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/exchange56/engine3/WP_20140322_001_zpsed27894e.jpg

First was to put the slam panel into the "lock carrier" position which is a case of removing the air intake (http://rd.shopzilla.co.uk/rd2?t=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mx1.co.uk%2Fyamaha-atv-raptor-660-02-06-air-filter%2F&mid=150636&catId=13222&atom=11412&prodId=&oid=5908748900&pos=1&bId=18&bidType=0&bAmt=dd6acf5bafc6003d&cobrand=2&ppr=299c802def6b3a7d&rf=af1&af_assettype_id=10&af_creative_id=6) duct, then removing 4 bolts on top of the panel, and then removing the 4 bolts and 1 nut on each member, you can then pull the panel forward.

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/exchange56/engine3/WP_20140322_002_zps30d2428a.jpg

First was to remove the old belt, at this point I found the tensioner to be very weak and required very little pressure to remove the old belt.
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/exchange56/engine3/WP_20140322_003_zpsa00930ad.jpg

Next was to remove the pulley of the water pump so you can access the 7 screws holding the pump in place.
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/exchange56/engine3/WP_20140322_006_zpsf8793cc4.jpg

The thermostat is only held in place with 3 screws, if you just want to change the stat it can be done without removing the belt.
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/exchange56/engine3/WP_20140322_004_zps66790608.jpg

New pump, stat and tensioner fitted, I also used new bolts when fitting everything back together
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/exchange56/engine3/WP_20140322_010_zpscb387340.jpg

New belt fitted, make sure the belt is seated on all the pulleys, its also better to start with the lower pulley there is very little room to get the belt between the front engine mount (http://rd.shopzilla.co.uk/rd2?t=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thomann.de%2Fpartner_redire ct.html%3Fpartner_id%3D25293%26page%3Dthoiw2_spl_t ranspressor_1080_prodinfo.html&mid=115085&catId=13843&atom=10991&prodId=&oid=1890525854&pos=1&bId=18&bidType=0&bAmt=3ab6364cf9ac5541&cobrand=2&ppr=c5a72f8957b16f3e&rf=af1&af_assettype_id=10&af_creative_id=6) and pulley.
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/exchange56/engine3/WP_20140322_011_zps2af10ec9.jpg

When refitting the slam panel try and line up with the old screw marking, as you can see the old rings marked on the panel.
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/exchange56/engine3/WP_20140322_012_zpsdf78b45d.jpg
RHS lined up just about perfect
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/exchange56/engine3/WP_20140322_013_zps25d7d734.jpg
LHS was about 1/2 a millimeter out, which is good enough for me
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/exchange56/engine3/WP_20140322_014_zps3b82e380.jpg

[MarkTM]

^^^THAT was a mightily impressive write-up!

Agree, if doing anything else at the front, then defo worthwhile taking off the bumper. However, as I've only had my 12yr old to offer help, I'd rather not have Children's Services paying me a visit :(

[TexasAj]

Thank you MarkTM. I'm still trying to figure out this site, I think now I included it on my signature.


Andy ,you've not stated your model or year, but as you're across the pond will assume petrol 3.2.

There's plenty of advice guidance on-line and this one (first search on google) is American

Serpentine belt change on 4.2 - Page 2 - AudiWorld Forums (http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-s6-c6-platform-discussion-58/serpentine-belt-change-4-2-a-2841128/page2/)

[TexasAj]

nope, that didn't work....


Thank you MarkTM. I'm still trying to figure out this site, I think now I included it on my signature.

[MarkTM]

Oh, I had to have the serpentine changed again on my car last week as the old one (OEM) shredded*

For those not doing the full internals change like B5 this tip will help you.
.
My mechanic used a large metal jubilee clip bent into an oval and placed around the tensioner and, with a extension bar, tightened this up which relaxed the belt, the replacement belt then took 5 mins to route and the clip was released.

I think it took me more time to put the undertray back on!

This time I went for a cheapy 'Gates' belt since the OEM lasted less than 10k miles....mechanice can see no reason for this as all pulleys seem to be running true and straight. The only weird/coincidental thing was just before the belt went I had to reverse up a very steep incline...not sure why this would make it go though.

Cost me £15 in labour plus the cost of the belt :D

[Rob69]

Strange how it shredded so quickly! Is the alternator clutch working ok?

[MarkTM]

Alternator was reconditioned less than 20 months ago, but am guessing that it could still be at fault...although I understand that typically there's whine on full lock when the clutch pulley's on the way out and I didn't experience this.

There was no warning or even any whine, the belt just shredded longitudinally, but have a spare if it happens again and will delve deeper if it does.

[MarkTM]

Checked the alternator clutch today and it only goes one way and not tother...so not quite sure why the belt shredded.