Hi all, I'm a long-time lurker and I'm hoping to find out how often the tensioner pulley for the V Belt should be replaced?

I've ordered the parts for the timing chain Kit B replacement (the car has survived to 165 000 kms on its original, but it sounds like a tractor on startup)! Since ordering these, the water pump has developed a leak, and I thought I'd have the timing chain, v belt, and v belt tensioner all done as well.

Also, any recommendations for a water pump? Likely I'll order genuine as it looks like the current one fitted is aftermarket and has only just made it to 5 years of service.

Regarding the V belt tensioner, am I required to replace the entire assembly (part number 03C145299Q), or just the pulley (part number 03F145276)? If I replace the entire assembly, likely Ill order an SKF one.

Thanks.

Edited Monday at 08:524 days by VNZ00

Go for ContiTech; it is the manufacturer for original VAG parts. I replaced the auxiliary belt tensioner at 152,184 km around the end of 2024 because there was a little squealing sound in the freezing winter on cold starts. However, the belt from 2013 (original equipment produced by Continental) was still in perfect condition without any cracks or wear. I replaced it anyway just because it came in the kit. For the water pump, go for ContiTech as well I've just replaced a Fiat water pump with that brand, and it is not giving me any problems.

my advice for the timing chain is to buy an original one it isn't very expensive and is a good quality item

Edited Tuesday at 10:573 days by Jack25

11 hours ago, Jack25 said:

Go for ContiTech; it is the manufacturer for original VAG parts. I replaced the auxiliary belt tensioner at 152,184 km around the end of 2024 because there was a little squealing sound in the freezing winter on cold starts. However, the belt from 2013 (original equipment produced by Continental) was still in perfect condition without any cracks or wear. I replaced it anyway just because it came in the kit. For the water pump, go for ContiTech as well I've just replaced a Fiat water pump with that brand, and it is not giving me any problems.

my advice for the timing chain is to buy an original one it isn't very expensive and is a good quality item

Hi Jack, thanks for your feedback. I think in one way or another, the OEM kits have a cross over between the belt, tensioner and water pump, from what I have read (i.e. they may produce one but source the other parts from other OEM's). I don't think you can go too far wrong with any of the main OEM's and SKF, ContiTech, INA all produce kits for all related parts, either with or without the water pump. I was strongly considering buying a genuine water pump with one of the tensioner/belt kits.

I don't know what normally fails on the water pump, whether it is the seal or the bearings. SKF have a good rep for their bearings. There seems to be a lot of emphasis placed on plastic vs metal impellers but do these fail?

In the end, I went with the full kit from INA: INA Water Pump + V-ribbed Belt Kit 529 0534 30

I couldn't find out who the OEM is for the genuine pump for the 1.2TSI as mine was replaced with aftermarket five years ago (maybe someone here knows for sure?). But I would pick the kit in future with the best quality water pump, as it will likely fail sooner than the other parts in the kit, if it is a quality kit. Hopefully I'll still have the Monte in service in five years' time to see if I chose wisely ;)

Yes, the Kit B for the cam chain kit will be genuine. I've heard nothing but good things from the forums once fitted.

Some photos of a genuine water pump, not sure if they help. Plastic impeller. Possibly from 2010 (410)?

On 15/09/2026 at 12:55, Jack25 said:

Go for ContiTech; it is the manufacturer for original VAG parts. I replaced the auxiliary belt tensioner at 152,184 km around the end of 2024 because there was a little squealing sound in the freezing winter on cold starts. However, the belt from 2013 (original equipment produced by Continental) was still in perfect condition without any cracks or wear. I replaced it anyway just because it came in the kit. For the water pump, go for ContiTech as well I've just replaced a Fiat water pump with that brand, and it is not giving me any problems.

my advice for the timing chain is to buy an original one it isn't very expensive and is a good quality item

it was, but not any more. go for INA, Gates ...

In the original OE (Original Equipment) box under the catalog number 03C145299Q, there is an automatic tensioner (spanner) which for the Volkswagen Group (VAG) first installation is usually produced by Gates or Litens (which closely cooperates with the INA / Schaeffler groups).

this pump on photo is produced by NIDEC GPM, Germany producer for OE VAG engines..

now produced in Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China.

Edited yesterday at 09:391 day by imart143

15 hours ago, imart143 said:

it was, but not any more. go for INA, Gates ...

In the original OE (Original Equipment) box under the catalog number 03C145299Q, there is an automatic tensioner (spanner) which for the Volkswagen Group (VAG) first installation is usually produced by Gates or Litens (which closely cooperates with the INA / Schaeffler groups).

this pump on photo is produced by NIDEC GPM, Germany producer for OE VAG engines..

now produced in Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China.

Thanks Imart and Pete,

I googled GPM after seeing it on Pete's pic and came up with the GPM Nidec group too. I think GPM were bought out, which may explain the change in manufacturing location. I'm also not sure if they sell replacements, or were/are supplying direct to the manufacturer on new cars only. Imart have you been using Gates in the past and how have their reliability been?

There's a lot of opinions about impeller material, plastic or aluminium. But I think if the more common failures are the internal seal and subsequent leak through the pinhole drain, or the bearings, then the impeller may not be the problem if the car is having regular coolant changes with the specified coolant.

My INA kit should arrive today, and Ill post pics of it shortly.

Thanks.

yeah gates or dayco, for example, OE timing belt for 1.5 tsi engine is made by Dayco.

For the Volkswagen Group's 1.5 TSI engine (brands such as DADA, DPCA), Dayco produces the main camshaft timing belt (catalog number 941060, 20 mm wide and 163 teeth) and the smaller oil pump or water pump belt/belt (catalog number 941160, 81 teeth).

It is about Dayco HT (High Tenacity) patented technology, better known in the automotive world as "White Belt".

The white layer on the inside of the teeth is a special film of PTFE (Teflon) patented by Dayco and bonded to the basic nylon-aramid (Kevlar) fabric that covers the belt teeth. Extreme friction reduction: When the teeth of the belt fit into the grooves of the pulleys, friction occurs that over time "peels" ordinary rubber belts. Teflon dramatically reduces this friction. The belt slides smoothly and almost completely eliminates wear on the fabric of the teeth. Protection against lateral wear: The belt moves slightly left and right during operation and hits the edges (flanges) of the pulleys. The white PTFE layer also covers the lateral parts of the teeth, protecting the belt from lateral "backlash" and cracking at the edges.

Modern 1.5 TSI engines have high direct injection pressures and develop enormous temperatures under the hood (over 120°C). Classic rubber would harden and crack over time. The Teflon and advanced HNBR rubber from which the belt is made remains elastic and stable for years

Internal structure (fiberglass): Behind that white layer and the rubber, inside the belt are strands of high-modulus fiberglass woven into a spiral. These ensure that the belt does not stretch at all over the years and kilometers, thus keeping the engine's timinge perfectly accurate.

you dont need that for alternator belt, but i read this on Autoteile.