serpentine belt tension adjustment- how?

**VtecJunkie** · 07-10-2009,06:03 PM

I think my serpentine belt is loose. It makes a squeeling noise on full lock and i can see the tensioner has excessive movement when the car is idling.

I did the old trick of spraying the belt with water and this cures it until the water obviously evapourates.

Is there any information or articles on how to adjust the tension of the serpentine belt, or even better how to replace the tensioner or belt?

Cheers

**Col** · 07-10-2009,06:09 PM

What engine?

**VtecJunkie** · 07-10-2009,06:10 PM

Hi mate- thanks for the quick reply! It's a 1.9 tdi (130bhp)

**krautmender** · 07-10-2009,07:15 PM

Originally Posted by VtecJunkie

I think my serpentine belt is loose. It makes a squeeling noise on full lock and i can see the tensioner has excessive movement when the car is idling.

I did the old trick of spraying the belt with water and this cures it until the water obviously evapourates.

Is there any information or articles on how to adjust the tension of the serpentine belt, or even better how to replace the tensioner or belt?

Cheers

Quite a common fault, 99.9% its the alternator pulley that needs replacing! Their 'Clutched' movement siezes.

**M53494** · 07-10-2009,10:51 PM

Yes, that sounds lite the alternator pulley is knackered!

Have a look at this thread for all you need to know...

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=32085

**VtecJunkie** · 08-10-2009,12:02 AM

Thats a brilliant thread! Just what I was after, thanks so much guys! I did do a little searching and thought the alternator pulley may be the problem.. It's a shame it needs a specialist tool to be removed, otherwise i'd do it myself.

It doesn't sound very expensive though to have done, I'm going to phone my local VW/Audi specialist tomorrow and get a quote- what do you think is a good price to have the alernator pulley and belt replaced?

Thanks again- my car is actually an audi a3, but no one responded on the audi forum so i posted here- Cheers

**VtecJunkie** · 12-10-2009,07:37 PM

Took the car into a so called vw/audi specialist and he tried to make out I should replace the timing belt while doing the drivebelt as it's half the job- is this true?

Timing belt only done 4000 miles ago in March!!!

I thought you could replace the drivebelt without taking the engine mount off, can't the drive belt simply be put on with a bit of patience without the need to remove much?

Anyway.. after i told him I didnt want the timing belt changed he quoted £160 to replace the serpentine belt and tensioner which I thought was pretty expensive? I told him I thought it was the pully on the alternator causing the problem but he didn't seem to take much notice.

Might just do the job myself. £30 for the tools is starting to look cheap!

**krautmender** · 12-10-2009,11:40 PM

What area are you in? I'm a specialists, the job takes minimum time providing the pulley comes undone in situe!

**VtecJunkie** · 13-10-2009,12:33 AM

I'm based in Bournemouth mate, so quite far unfortuantely. How much would you say the job should cost and how long would it take to change the serpentine belt and tensioner?

I've heard it can take as little as 30 minutes, is that right?

Also.. that £160 is excluding VAT and not even including the alternator pulley! Shocking!

**krautmender** · 13-10-2009,10:34 AM

Let's put it this way, it takes me depending on model i.e A3 Mk4 Golf about 15 mins! But sometimes on other models i.e A4 I have had to remove the alternator due to insufficient clearance between the radiator and pulley, that then takes about 40 minutes

A new INA pulley from a motor factor around 40 or so quid.

What car do you own?