Cam & Aux Belt Tensioner Noise, Recorded.

[SimonS]

Okay so confirmed. My engine CXGB and year is there.
One thing concerns me, to get 180degrees may be difficult/awkward as just turning the 90degrees was due to the spline head and lack of room (trying to keep the spline socket in the head).
Also wondering what prompted VW to change this ? My original tensioner when I removed the bolt was I reckon at 90degrees as was very similar to replacement tightness and had been there for 5 years.

Just to follow up, only just got round to doing it, it undid fairly easily, came to torqueing up and got up to 90 deg which felt really tight, more than before, so stopped there. Double checked the 50NM on my torque wrench against the digital gauge (as didn't fit in the gap) so I know that was correct.

 

[Jimmock]

Just to follow up, only just got round to doing it, it undid fairly easily, came to torqueing up and got up to 90 deg which felt really tight, more than before, so stopped there. Double checked the 50NM on my torque wrench against the digital gauge (as didn't fit in the gap) so I know that was correct.

Yes, I rechecked the torque on my bolt and it’s sitting at 50Nm plus 90 degrees, really tight after 6 months and 3,500 miles.

 

[temporarysecretary]

What is the go to tensioner and belt that the forum buys to do the job?

 

[SimonS]

What is the go to tensioner and belt that the forum buys to do the job?

I got VAG parts from TPS, you need to replace the bolt also.

 

[Jimmock]

What is the go to tensioner and belt that the forum buys to do the job?

Hi, I used genuine VW parts from Deutscheparts including new bolt and idler pulley

 

[Anakin]

I’ve just replaced the tensioner and belt as I had a continuous high pitched squealing noise that was getting worse. I got the belt, tensioner and new bolt from Deutscheparts. And the squeal is gone

It shouldn’t happen on a 37,000 mile van, but it did.

It was frankly an awkward job. I jacked up the drivers side and put an axle stand underneath. A 3mm Allen key served as the pin to lock the tensioner in place, tensioned using a 16mm deep offset ring spanner. It also needs a triple square bit to remove the tensioner bolt. I retorqued to 50Nm and then a bit more, probably not the 90 degrees extra but pretty close.

The old tensioner seems to move freely, with no sign of wear or noise, so go figure. Maybe it was the old belt, but it was an OEM VW belt, with no cracking or tears. Anyway, G&T earned, off to quench my thirst.