First off what a great site, lurked around for a fair while and gleaned lots of information but now I need to ask a few questions on the AUX Belt Tensioner.

 

Mine went while on the way to have a MOT, I revved the engine up to 4.5 K a couple of times and thought the traction control made a odd noise but I think what i heard was the belt flying off! After the low Voltage battery light came on I had a look in the bonnet and saw the issue.

 

I bought a pattern belt and tensioner but not 100% its the right one. The unit is made by INA Part No 534016410 and although it looks almost identical there is a tab missing on the body  that slides into the hole in the block. It seems to fit OK but does not seem that positive / secure fit with one of the two locating tabs missing that should align up as per the old unit. Can anyone suggest a site to look up the INA part no I have tried the manufacturers but they dont list Skoda cars typically. Also checked GSF and EuroPARTS and cannot find the same part no listed.

 

My next question is with the Alternator Clutch, in that I am not sure my car has one fitted. The unit feels smooth when the spindle is rotated in either direction and to me it looks like its just a normal gear pulley with no clutch. There is a metal plate on the end of the pulley which I have not tried to remove yet, but can anyone tell me a way to verify if its a clutch pulley wheel or not?

 

All this comes 5 days after I have fixed my passenger door window mech , so all the tools are back out once again only this time the car is off the road :(

From this page it looks to me like your tensioner should be, or should be equivalent to VAG part number 038903315AB. Ebaying that number comes up with a couple of listings for INA aftermarket ones with a different part number in the title of the listing: 534015010.

You'll also see (via ebay search for 038903315AB) that

 

^^^^^^ Sorry that was duff info, looking at the wrong section on the right. I should have been looking at part 17 in this page, not part 2.  Actual part number reqd should be 038903315AH assuming you have aircon?

This number does cross-reference to your INA part number judging by the first ebay listing.

 

Apologies for the initial bum steer above.

 

 

The pulley for the tensioner might be available separately, at considerably lower cost, via ebay.  Often that's the only part that needs changing, or actually usually only needs the dust seal lifting and re-greasing the bearings, unless it's actually got so bad that it's seized up.

 

A picture of your alternator pulley end-on, with any cover plate removed, will identify if it's a freewheel type, I think.  They have a large spline on the inside diameter needing a special tool to remove them.

 

Freewheel types look like this.  Non-freewheel types look like this:

 

Edited 20 August, 20169 yr by Wino

Yes your alternator should have a freewheel pulley, if it's seized that may explain why it's thrown the belt.

 

Are you certain that you replaced the belt following the correct route?

Thanks for the advice guys, I will have to pop the end cap off the alternator pulley and take a look then but agreed it would explain why the tensioner went. 

 

So the tensioner is correct then, strange that it does not have a locating key at either end of the cylindrical body like the old one. I guess it must be ok , dont suppose you have the torque settings for the securing bolt - not that I can get a torque wrench in there anyway but ......

 

Re the routing of the belt , no not 100% , not mounted the belt yet but I guess it goes from the top of the alternator under the tensioner down to the crank pulley then ........mmmmmmm maybe this diagram is correct although mine is the VRS with Air Con, are they the same?

 

Your water pump is driven by the cambelt so no.

25Nm for the tensioner bolt, item 7 here, by the looks of it. Belt routing looks simple enough there.

Coolio thanks , was hoping to leave the alternator in situ but if the pulley needs replacing then its more BFBI tmrw!

 

cheers guys

Yo, just took the alternator off as you are correct about the slipper clutch. Locked up like a good'un and something you would not spot if your used to older cars like I am.

 

As for the tensioner mmmmmm, looking around ebay I found my item and according to the site it does not fit my car! It does figure as when tightening up the bolt it does not feel secure and starts to twist in the housing. Bit pished off at the autofactors for selling me the unit so will have to sort this out Monday when I get the alternator clutch.

 

My cam belt was last done at 50K nearly five years ago so its now showing 105K so would you agree this is due a change?

 

Cheers guys once again , thanks for your wisdom!

If you need to replace the aux tensioner I can recommend the SKF unit. Excellent quality and cheaper than gen...dare I say better? Picked one up off ebay from a good seller

Yes cambelt is overdue a change.

Had to order another tensioner as was not happy with the sloppy fit of the INA I initially bought. Now getting a full metal body one as opposed to the one where  you can see the spring. Hopefully this one has the two interlock tabs on the back.

 

Waiting for the pulley removal tool now as well...............taps fingers on the table......my local garage does not have a tool to fit so might as well order one while I wait for the tensioner.

 

About to order a Gates kit for the timing belt change which includes the waterpump. I rang round for quotes and have £100 to £420 Parts and Labour from a Main Dealer. Hopefully all-in should cost me about 250!

 

Its definately car month as I might have to do the console bush's and track rods as this was a advisory at the least MOT