Aux belt tensioner

[James99]

The tension seems to be giving. Belt squeals on cold mornings until it gets going.

How long does the tensioner last roughly on these cars? My car has nearly done 200k (1.9 TDI PD Avant) and I wonder if this is likely to be the original or a replacement.

Do you have to replace the whole part because looking on ebay it seems to be anywhere from £69 to over £129? WOW!!! Shame its not a spanner and a 30 second tighten-up job! I think unlikely but just wonder if it's possible to replace the spring in the part?

Here is an example of the part on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A3-A4-A6-SUPER...1%7C240%3A1318

Thanks in advance

[richie_jones]

if its a B5 you`ve got thats the wrong part, Its a 10 minute job, abit fidly but ok. You don`t need to put the car in service mode as some people sugest, its handy to get a diagram of the route the belt needs to take, search the audi diy website for a good how to guide,,,,

[zollaf]

i would try putting a new belt on first to see if that solves the squeel.these flat belts do wear, just like old v belts, but its not obvious looking at them.

[moggies]

Make sure there is nothing dripping onto the belt like coolant first. What ever part you replace, maybe do belt first as suggested, it might be worth giving http://www.thetradepartsspecialists.co.uk a bell first to compare costing. You will get genuine parts, but sometimes surprisingly cheap or near to the price of aftermarket bits and not a gamble that you might get with some ebay sellers.

[James99]

Thanks for your replies.

I did the head gasket a few months ago and had this part off then and (from memory) this is the tensioner I removed (?). I renewed the belt at the time so shouldn't be the problem. There is nothing leaking on it so that is also fine.

My car is a 2001 B5 in case being one of the last models makes a difference?

Thanks again

[Col]

I recognise that tensioner as being the one fitted to the PD engines and would say it is correct.

I've replaced two, one on my old Passat where the pulley had a bit of free play on it, it chattered and did cause a bit of squeal when cold. The other I had done on my current A6 when the cam belt was done as a precaution, however once removed, this to had play on the pulley although it didn't make any noise.

I'd say at 200k it would be wise to replace it. However it would seem that most problems on the aux belt front are caused by the alternator one way clutch. When you have the belt off, check the operation of the alternator pulley, it should run one way and free wheel the other.

[James99]

I recognise that tensioner as being the one fitted to the PD engines and would say it is correct.

I've replaced two, one on my old Passat where the pulley had a bit of free play on it, it chattered and did cause a bit of squeal when cold. The other I had done on my current A6 when the cam belt was done as a precaution, however once removed, this to had play on the pulley although it didn't make any noise.

I'd say at 200k it would be wise to replace it. However it would seem that most problems on the aux belt front are caused by the alternator one way clutch. When you have the belt off, check the operation of the alternator pulley, it should run one way and free wheel the other.

cheers, it is a PD so that explains that one. It does make a slight chirping/chattering sound so I wonder if could be the pully on the tentioner as well.

I'll check the alternator pully whilst I'm there also as suggested.

I guss I'll probably just have to cough up for the new part.

Thanks for your help.