updaze
Active member
184K: started having problems after a stage 2 rechip: any possible connection...dealer is going nuts trying to figure out whats going on....help please any appreciated....here or updaze@aol.com
3 belt tensioners in 6 months: 2003 5speed jetta
- Thread starter updaze
- Start date
Turboneon1997
Veteran Member
Question.... Are you using an OE tensioner?
Vince Waldon
Top Post Dawg
How's your alternator pulley? 
updaze
Active member
belt tensioner
yes am : last replaced by dealer.....
yes am : last replaced by dealer.....
updaze
Active member
alternator pulley
No problem to my knowledge...the dealer would check that wouldn't they? what do they look for?
No problem to my knowledge...the dealer would check that wouldn't they? what do they look for?
any chance you can get away from the dealer?
sounds like some knowledgeable folks contributed to this thread:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=319775
In general, dealers are known for messing up TDI's. You'll get better service from a club member / guru and it will be cheaper.
re: the tensioners, the alt pulley could be the culprit...or poor tensioning, perhaps..
sounds like some knowledgeable folks contributed to this thread:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=319775
In general, dealers are known for messing up TDI's. You'll get better service from a club member / guru and it will be cheaper.
re: the tensioners, the alt pulley could be the culprit...or poor tensioning, perhaps..
The alternator pulley has a sprag clutch, a one-way clutch which allows the alternator to freewheel when the crankshaft speed decreases during a compression stroke. These go bad and when they do, the rotor on the alternator will drive the belt, causing wild tension fluctuations on the tensioner due to its proximity in the serpentine belt line.
Also, the lower RPM of the diesel requires a smaller pulley which further impacts the rotational inertia effects of the rotor.
Also, the lower RPM of the diesel requires a smaller pulley which further impacts the rotational inertia effects of the rotor.
Nick from Carlisle
Active member
Can you check how bad is vibrating the serpentine belt ?
Do you see any pulley not going smooth (wobbling)?
I think if the belt is not running quite smooth it might get excessive wear on the tensioner and loose the fluid .
It's true that this failure could be helped by frozen alternator pulley.
Do you see any pulley not going smooth (wobbling)?
I think if the belt is not running quite smooth it might get excessive wear on the tensioner and loose the fluid .
It's true that this failure could be helped by frozen alternator pulley.
jettawreck
Top Post Dawg
No, they usually don't check. They replace failed parts they see and don't look for the cause(s). If it causes something to fail again, they have another sale. Alt pulley/clutch failure is quite common and causes surpentine belt and tensioner dampner failures.
updaze
Active member
re: belt tensioner...Guys, Thank you!
Gentlemen: thank you...I agree with you that I am putting my ride in the hands of people who normally just look at me as a $ sign attached to my Jetta. [But I do have to give good marks to the service department at Vic Bailey VW in Spartanburg: their SM, Scott, has consistently, really given me the benefit of the doubt on work they have done, although on routine stuff they of course charge me the usual outrageous fees!] ...that said I do have 2 absolutely great guys Danny and Landon Grindstaff (son and father) near me, about 60 miles away in Asheville, NC. we are even trying to do a late year GTG in Asheville later on this year: the problem we have is coordinating and distance, as you can imagine...
I am going to print out your suggestions and ideas, and start with that alternator pulley and see where that takes me...Will keep you posted here on this thread...and again: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP! I KNOW I can count on y'all for serious consideration. Winston
Gentlemen: thank you...I agree with you that I am putting my ride in the hands of people who normally just look at me as a $ sign attached to my Jetta. [But I do have to give good marks to the service department at Vic Bailey VW in Spartanburg: their SM, Scott, has consistently, really given me the benefit of the doubt on work they have done, although on routine stuff they of course charge me the usual outrageous fees!] ...that said I do have 2 absolutely great guys Danny and Landon Grindstaff (son and father) near me, about 60 miles away in Asheville, NC. we are even trying to do a late year GTG in Asheville later on this year: the problem we have is coordinating and distance, as you can imagine...
I am going to print out your suggestions and ideas, and start with that alternator pulley and see where that takes me...Will keep you posted here on this thread...and again: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP! I KNOW I can count on y'all for serious consideration. Winston
Stevestyle67
Veteran Member
Were you aware of this July 30th get together?
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=320263
No Asheville GTG planned.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=320263
No Asheville GTG planned.