Superb 1.9tdi 130bhp on an 03 plate

I understand that there is a pulley tensioner at the front, of the engine and that pulley tensioner is a self-tensioner (so I understand but please correct me if I am wrong). It appears that this has failed as their is little tension in the belt. This would explain the juddery power sterring at idle and the appearance from time to time, of the alternator light.

So, assuming that I have fathomed that out, now I need to remove it, replace it and fit a new one (assuming there is no trick to correct it). That could be an evening job or is it a whole Saturday job?

I don't think it is a radiator out and bumper off job, most likely a fan out job - just depends how long the spline on the bot holding the radiator is.

Can anyone shed any light on this please?

Right how I would do it is as folllows.

Bumper off

Lock carrier into service position

19mm spanner and de tension belt, hook off of alternator first

Undo 8mm allen key in back of viscous fan coupling and remove fan

Undo 6mm allen key in centre of tensioner

Undo 13mm on tensioner damper

Remove tensioner and replace

Refit in reverse of removal

I need some assistance please. When idle or steering at low speeds I am getting a squeal and horrible noise coming from the alternator belt area. The steering also judders a bit when I hear the noise.

If i look down into the engine bay at the front, the belt that goes around the alternator pulley down around the power steering pump and around another tensioner appears to be very slack and jumps around a bit. I have been told that the tensioner is at fault as it is a self adjusting tensioner and has no self adjustment left, is this correct ?

Is this easy to change ? Is the alternator pulley tensioner with the clutch system in it a different part, the bit that is on the end of the alternator ?

I have tried to turn the internal fan blades of the alternator with a screwdriver but can't seem to make them move so not sure if I am not pushing them hard enough ?

Any help greatly appreciated.

thanks

Lock carrier into service position

I wonder if you could tell me what that actually means?

What does the carrier carry? Or does it carry the lock?

Are there some pictures somewhere that show the carrier in the service position?

Thanks

I need some assistance please. When idle or steering at low speeds I am getting a squeal and horrible noise coming from the alternator belt area. The steering also judders a bit when I hear the noise.

If i look down into the engine bay at the front, the belt that goes around the alternator pulley down around the power steering pump and around another tensioner appears to be very slack and jumps around a bit. I have been told that the tensioner is at fault as it is a self adjusting tensioner and has no self adjustment left, is this correct ?

Is this easy to change ? Is the alternator pulley tensioner with the clutch system in it a different part, the bit that is on the end of the alternator ?

I have tried to turn the internal fan blades of the alternator with a screwdriver but can't seem to make them move so not sure if I am not pushing them hard enough ?

Any help greatly appreciated.

thanks

Try this 1st, get a power washer with cold water and NO detergent, blast the alternator pulley between the rear of the pulley and the alternator, try not to hit the inside of the alternator to much.

If that doesn't work, buy a new belt, fitting isn't hard but you do have to remove the other belt 1st iirc, as I've not done that I can't say exactly how to do it, but I believe it slackens from underneath, to replace the alt belt, you simply put a spanner on the tensioner and push towards the drivers side iirc and take the belt off and replace, you will have to push the tensioner again to fit the new one, easier if you have a mate to help tbh, but you can diy, just get the belt on 2/3rd's and then lean on the tensioner, the 2 spanner method works best for leverage, hth.

thanks,

If i continue to drive the car with the squealing belt will it affect how the car drives as I'm not sure if it is just me but pulling away seems to be a bit funny now ?