dosma
Well-known member
Can you replace the spring tensioner without removing the alt/Air mounting bracket on the B4? I'm at 97kmiles and am getting the tensioner vibration and noise.
Thanks for info.
...Don
Thanks for info.
...Don
Both alternator and compressor are only held on by 2 bolts each. Removing either isnt much at all.dosma said:I was dreading the possibility of having to remove the alternator and air compressor.
Is it necessary to remove the tensioner shaft altogether or can you push it back and put the new tensioner on without removing the air filter box?
Reading your post before I try to swap out my harmonic balance wheel. You first step is reduce stress on serp belt to remove. How is this accomplished? I've often remove the tensioner pulley on other cars to remove the belt. Is there a better way on the tdi?redmondjp said:Absolutely!
First you will want to release tension by removing the serpentine belt itself.
Untension the belt by levering the tensioner shaft with an adjustable wrench or equivalent placed on the right-angle bend of the shaft. Do not use the tensioner pulley retaining bolt as a leverage point.rsfeller said:Yep that is what I said!
I went down the list of everything else but the HB, before we figured out that it is fact a common failure item. Someone told me less then an hour to DIY.
How do you go about taking the serp off for such a job? Looks pretty easy to get to. DO you just unbolt the HB and obviously the serp comes off, or take the tension off at the tension pulley?
I have a "pickle fork" purchased for a front-end job on my 67 bug. It's curve and set forks allow fairly easy leverage on the tensioner shaft. I didn't have any wrenches large enough to hold it easily.Chris Bell said:Untension the belt by levering the tensioner shaft with an adjustable wrench or equivalent placed on the right-angle bend of the shaft. Do not use the tensioner pulley retaining bolt as a leverage point.
I want to replace my serpentine belt does anyone know of a diagram or walkthroughs? I’m still learning. Thanks!
B4
1z motor
Steve Addy thank you! Okay so the serpentine belt is the L shaped one? Alternator to the top and just below it to the left is harmonic balancer? Trying to get an understanding of what people mentioned in the comments above. I’m wondering if my HB is bad also. Not sure of when it’s been replaced. Figured I’d maybe just do it all at once.
It's rare to find serpentine belts squealing, the tensioner takes up the necessary slack and the fact that the belt is wide also makes it less likely.Thanks Steve Addy, I appreciate you. If the serpentine belt isn’t cracked or looked worn then naturally it wouldn’t squeal/chirp/make noise? I can only assume it’s the first gen HB. I think it’s the HB now listening. I was thinking chirping like bird but, it’s more like a bugs chirp from what I hear. I’m guessing when a serpentine belt goes bad it has a long squeal at start up and it’s high pitched? Goes away when warmed up, no? In the diagram where would the HB be? Anything guidance is great, thank you.
Post up a picture of the HB you removed and we'll see what gen HB it was. If it's the early one then more than likely it was the HB and not the belt.Steve Addy, so I tackled the project yesterday. Relatively easy to do. Had a buddy help me get the belt back on and honestly that was the hardest part. I used air tools so it wasn’t much work really. I replaced both the harmonic balancer and belt, no chirping anymore. Only problem is was it the belt or the HB? Heh, I’m suspecting it was the HB. The belt wasn’t in any sort of weathered condition. Appreciate the guidance! Cheers.