How To Remove A VW Serpentine Belt Tensioner ~ Salvage Yard Tips

Рет қаралды 233,660

Күн бұрын

Today I will show you how to DIY removing a VW serpentine belt tensioner. This is a common VW failure, and is a VERY easy DIY. Tensioner failure can cause belt noise, accessory issues, and even belt damage.
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~Tools you need to the serpentine belt tensioner
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Пікірлер: 139

@LONEWOLF-di3ct 2 жыл бұрын

Eric I’ve watched your videos when I was a fling man. I’m a man now who owns a VW golf 2005. I’ve watched how to replace the radiator, came out to be a success! Now I’m watching how to change my alternator ha you’ve just earned a LIKE and a new SUBSCRIBER! and my RESPECTS brother your helping us average joes saving $ and learning a skill. Thank you

@nikiferrari2091 2 жыл бұрын

Cheers buddy… With your help, I’ve just replaced my alternator on my caddy and you’ve saved me £100 in labour costs 👍

@nickguerra1905 4 жыл бұрын

My belt broke this morning on the way to work had to limp the car into the parking lot the belt looked like spaghetti an the tensor was in very bad shape new belt an new tensor comes tommorow video helped 110%

@HowtoAutomotive 7 жыл бұрын

Great video as always! Camera man's not too bad himself. Nice work Eric.

@shadow13412 2 жыл бұрын

This guy is the MVP of mechanics

@joshbeall1607 7 жыл бұрын

This helped so much!!! I couldn't find a quality video explaining exactly what to do in order to replace the tensioner. Thank you!! +1 Sub!!

@ghulabkhan762 2 жыл бұрын

Nice to hear about your experience

@jackprycee6977 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for all the tips and info. It’s a great help to many of us !!

@sarag1158 6 жыл бұрын

You made that really easy. Thank you.

@WEFLIPANYCAR 25 күн бұрын

Amazing work bro 😎

@mr_j83 2 жыл бұрын

As any other video you have made it very nicely described and presented. Thank you

@timsmith423 Жыл бұрын

Great advice, thanks dude a true mechanic indeed 👍

@wolf2016. 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for all your vids its awesome and help a lot !

@shanestratton272 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very useful I tried putting belt on didn't know that piece moved for tension release

@LurgsHowToGuides 7 жыл бұрын

Nice one. Hopefully very similar on my VW T28 2.0 Transporter.

@janymichellesegura8678 6 жыл бұрын

Man it was super helpful, thanks a lot and regards from México!

@HumbleMechanic 6 жыл бұрын

Cheers

@Jeremiah.1 4 ай бұрын

You are rocking great tips 👏

@aarongarcia4804 6 жыл бұрын

Very helpful video, here in Mexico we have an option to replace the pulley only, no all the tensioner subassembly, it is cheaper an it costs around 7 dollards.

@wyattoneable 7 жыл бұрын

Your videos would easier to follow along if I had a VW. Maybe I'll buy one. :) Thanks again for a well documented job.

@disrespectedbug7666 7 жыл бұрын

I believe it's pronounced like knife. My father's mk4 jetta is starting to have lots of random problems now. Your videos are very helpful. Thanks.

@disrespectedbug7666 7 жыл бұрын

***** Who would've thought? English is weird

@rpbpendeavors9831 5 жыл бұрын

You’re the man, man.

@HumbleMechanic 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@sharronhumphries6727 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing !!!

@eoin-odubhlaoich1826 2 ай бұрын

great content, very helpfull

@bafanashabangu9725 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@mphotshidzumbajp3555 5 жыл бұрын

perfect video

@FroggyFrog9000 6 ай бұрын

great info cheers

@ernestolr3625 2 жыл бұрын

thanks so much.👍🏼

@mistery7371 Жыл бұрын

Thank u so much!

@SergioGomez-ki5sl 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent job as always. Boy u have some patience!!!! When l am on my tools the last thing l want is someone next to me, let alone explaining what l am doing lol. Thanks a lot though

@HumbleMechanic 6 жыл бұрын

+Sergio Gomez hahah I spent most of my career training techs. It’s a space I’m cool in.

@bluesriot2 3 жыл бұрын

so much tension,thanks for the relief

@gillysmob 11 ай бұрын

lol

@Ueberdoziz 7 жыл бұрын

i use a 16mm wrench for the tensioner :)

@sneakysnake20008 4 жыл бұрын

Wake up this morning. My 2.0 tdi makes noises and I check. Bam... The tensioner is wiggling. Your video saved me a lot of time figuring out how to replace the piece, thanks.

@DanTheManIOM 3 жыл бұрын

Of course the one they use on teh 2.5L is different, any hints on that one ? I got it off, but it seems too slack now that I put it back and routed the new belt....hmmn... any idea what I am doing wrong ? Don't recall seeing a pin or anything and the 2.5 sits so close to that frame rail....thanks for this video

@raymusimust543 5 жыл бұрын

Which way do I turn the torx fastner holding the idler to the tensioner to loosen it? Clockwise or counter clockwise?

@tom0968 6 жыл бұрын

HumbleMechanic. On my Polo Variant 1900 SD from jan/2001, the knob you use to manipulate the tensioner is a ribbon about half the hight and with more rounded corners. With regular tools, you get no grip. Seems impossible to do it like you did it. Just using a crowbar over the connection-flange and under the pully to lift the pully of the belt is probably not a good idea?? Or is it, perhaps if i use some cloth and wood to protect the parts?? Any thoughts?? Anyone??

@justinmedved533 4 жыл бұрын

In the case of putting the serpentine belt tensioner back on, those two holes with in the bracket that the two top screws on the tensioners are supposed to go through. What is the solution when the bracket cannot be aligned up enough to get the screw to twist in? I have thought about seeing if I could buy longer screws, but I do not know what kind they are.

@alkalionpower 6 жыл бұрын

Is this the same for a 01 volkswagen jetta

@chriscameron2007 4 жыл бұрын

I have a 2006 volkswagen passot 2.0t is removing the serpitine belt tensioner as easy or the same in this video

@SANDYCREEKJRPATRIOTS 4 жыл бұрын

Do you have a video relative to a 2009 VW V8 Touareg?

@joachimhamam7283 7 жыл бұрын

the serpentine belt on my golf 4 failed now im trying to replace it, do i have to remove the tensioner to do so or can i get away with only loosening it up just enough to get the belt in...

@jamesdavis1047 7 жыл бұрын

is it the same for vr6

@thomashitchen8719 4 жыл бұрын

Would this be the same on a seat ibiza 10 plate?

@randomdiy3823 3 жыл бұрын

Can you make one for a 2.5 VW Beetle please?

@gregoryvschmidt 5 ай бұрын

Is this layout similar in a 2001 Eurovan? And would you trust a salvage part not to squeal?

@viuliscopmosco 7 жыл бұрын

awesome, for what models does this work? for a 1.6 vw fox maybe ?? haha

@memedaddyz 8 ай бұрын

Is it any different with VW CC 2012 2L?

@BeeShopcs 3 жыл бұрын

i have doubt, what brand i should use for my Audi Viaco, Gates or Febi, Please advice

@siempretexican66 4 жыл бұрын

Hello , I have a 2006 vw beetle 2.5L and need to remove alternator because it's bad, do I need to take off air comp. and move it out of the way to take off alternator and any other parts ? I need help please..

@caryrygaard8728 2 жыл бұрын

Where do you find the parts to replace the tensioner or pulley. Every tensioner I find has a smooth pully and my 2014 Jetra S has a grooved belt

@Espadazorz 3 жыл бұрын

If replacing that on your own car, is it ok to reuse those 3 bolts? Also that thing is self-tensioning, right?

@metalhead692219701 6 жыл бұрын

that doesn't look like the tensioner on 2009 jetta 2.5 sportwagon is the bolt to remove behind the the pulley in the middle of tensioner?

@alfredogarzzia 6 жыл бұрын

Do you have a video on a VW 2011 CC Sport 2,0 turbo tensioner change?

@abdbach379 6 жыл бұрын

Same thing.

@auxmike 4 жыл бұрын

Can the bolts be reused?

@Junkyvikk 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Different channels made it seem like you had to jack the car and remove a wheel and wheel well 😒

@FernandoFlores-qg7bt 4 жыл бұрын

On a 1.8t that bracket is between the triangle mount but I noticed on this video it was on the outside hugging it. Or am i wrong? Regardless would I have to move the bracket because the pulley in the tensioner is rubbing the timing chain cover. Its annoying since my belts have been slipping n I'm just trying to replace the tensioner

@georgedarby1398 7 жыл бұрын

I am thinking about taking my high school class for Diesel mechanic what will that get me.

@scottboulden5856 6 жыл бұрын

How do you know if it’s bad?

@21wala47 6 жыл бұрын

Can you show how to install the serpentine belt on the vw 2.0l

@ProdByTrev 5 жыл бұрын

This is a 2.0

@Jeremy-Joshua 7 жыл бұрын

Charles, have you tried removing the serpentine belt tensioner from the top of the engine on a mk4 alh tdi jetta? thanks in advance.

@HumbleMechanic 7 жыл бұрын

+enricoanton i think I take the belt on and off from the bottom and the tensioner out from the top

@stablejourney Жыл бұрын

would this and alternator removal be the same on 06 jetta 2.5?

@HumbleMechanic Жыл бұрын

The 06 is more indepth.

@ashleygrayduncan 5 жыл бұрын

Hi! the serpentine belt on my '95 eurovan wore out, looking at replacing it. How do you know if your tensioner needs to be replaced in addition? Thank you!!

@HumbleMechanic 5 жыл бұрын

Usually the bearing in the roller fails and comes apart or makes noise

@jessicavanderbilt5645 7 жыл бұрын

So the belt tensioner on the mk6's are a little different, held on by one 5mm bolt. But when you remove that bolt and try to pull the tensioner out, it doesn't have clearance for the long stem to come out of the engine. Any recommendation?

@tmacxb 4 жыл бұрын

Jessica Vanderbilt dealing with this right now!!!

@blak-718 5 жыл бұрын

Charles!! I got a 03 vr6 24v, Got a strange sound coming from the pulley, Changed it with an aftermarket tensioner, sound is still ther .. comes and goes any suggestions ??

@HumbleMechanic 5 жыл бұрын

Make sure it’s not the waterpump or one of the other rollers. Alternator pulley is common too.

@blak-718 5 жыл бұрын

Valve cover has been leaking very slowly down the block, I was thinking one of the pulleys got smothered with oil but the sound sometimes is not present. In the rain or humidity its pretty much always there. Do you have to take the pulleys off to clean or is there any good sprays In could try. Local shops say " faulty tensionrr " I've put 2 diff ones on sound still there.

@blak-718 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much man! Hugeeee fan and I hope that R32 is treating you well! If I were you Ib would have took a one was flight too!!!!! Lol

@Ridestereo765 2 жыл бұрын

Okay so what do you do when it doesn't come off that easily? Really should put that in the video lol learning things on my own

@yiranjack 3 жыл бұрын

Anyone know the torque of the pulley?

@MichaelFemia 5 жыл бұрын

How do you judge whether it's still holding enough tension?

@AltruisticWarrior 2 жыл бұрын

It'll wobble or vibrate near the area where it's under tension quite a bit. Normally the belt and tensioner should have very little movement.

@ihabmagdy3322 4 жыл бұрын

Can spark plug cause 2012 vw start and die when I hit the gas

@HumbleMechanic 4 жыл бұрын

If it's bad enough or the wrong ones, it sure can

@andreibirleanu840 7 жыл бұрын

I had buy a brand new tensioner made by RUVILLE for my 1.9 tdi ALH and there is a a little play in the tensioner wheel. Is that normal? or I souldn't install it and replace it?

@abdbach379 6 жыл бұрын

No it's not, you should've gone original VW they're cheap.

@forgottenknowledge8917 Жыл бұрын

I'm going to look for one at a junkyard. Mine rattles like maracas

@blak-718 5 жыл бұрын

Does aftermarket/oem matter ? I know some parts act strange if aftermarket.

@HumbleMechanic 5 жыл бұрын

The only time I’ve ever seen that was when the belt wasn’t exactly the right size. But companies like contitech is often used as OEM. In that case you’re good. But I’d be concerned about “Bobs Belts” type parts. Haha

@gmunoz9008 11 ай бұрын

I hope it's close to this simple for my 08 VW R32 😭

@HumbleMechanic 11 ай бұрын

Similar method a lot more buried

@BNew_sports_debater 3 жыл бұрын

I have a rattling sound coming from the timing cover. Could it be the tensioner gone bad. AT first, rattling just when I started it. Now it won't stop

@tiffanylowe6123 3 жыл бұрын

More like dodgy water pump

@BNew_sports_debater 3 жыл бұрын

@@tiffanylowe6123 finally had someone look at it and they said it is the tensioner chain in the cam shaft

@FALCORTON 3 жыл бұрын

I’m having the hardest time getting a new belt installed, I installed a new tensioner, im having problems holding tension and trying to get the belt in place

@HumbleMechanic 3 жыл бұрын

See if the tensioner has a lock in it. Some times you can put a pin in to hold it

@FALCORTON 3 жыл бұрын

@@HumbleMechanic I got an allenkey to put in it like you did. but its so damn hard with all the hoses in the way, this 1.8t with the spring tensioner is hard, i might take it out of the car, and try to get the tensioner locking bar in first.

@jessefordham2714 2 жыл бұрын

I shouldn't lose timing if done correctly right? Great video by the way. Thank you

@HumbleMechanic 2 жыл бұрын

Not on a serpentine belt

@john-paulcombs2151 5 жыл бұрын

Is this the same on a 2.5?

@HumbleMechanic 5 жыл бұрын

No that’s a different setup

@GarthGoldberg 7 жыл бұрын

Why not grab the alternator while you're there, also? It looked like a fairly new reman unit.

@HumbleMechanic 7 жыл бұрын

+Garth Goldberg that's next weeks video. ;)

@benriker9589 6 жыл бұрын

Good video, but it's much harder to R&R the tensioner on the 2.0 turbo TSI engine (MK6 GTI) I just finished the job, what a PITA. The tensioner is held on by a single allen bolt on the back of the black cylinder, but it is a real bear to get to. You have to remove the passenger wheel well and radiator splash shields, then move hoses and wire harnesses out of the way just enough to reach waaaayyy up there and remove the bolt. Then (thanks VW!) you have to drop the passenger side of the engine 2 inches to let the tensioner clear the frame so you can remove it. Unbelievable

@HumbleMechanic 6 жыл бұрын

Yep that sounds about right.

@scottalanphotography 5 жыл бұрын

Would this be done the same on a 2013 VW CC?

@HumbleMechanic 5 жыл бұрын

no its pretty different on that one.

@scottalanphotography 5 жыл бұрын

@@HumbleMechanic I was just quoted $35 for the belt and $111 for the tensioner through the mechanic shop. They are going to charge $212 for labor. Even if I tell them not to do anything and I'll do it myself they'll charge me $85. Not sure what to do.

@Robert-sw1xx 4 жыл бұрын

Adventures if you are mechanically inclined then the 85 dollars is a fair rate for their time for diagnosing your vehicle and you should do the repair yourself. They will always need to be paid for every hour they have a car in the bay or on a rack because if they’re not working on yours they could be doing someone else’s car. If you aren’t very mechanically inclined then let them do it and make it their problem/headache should something go wrong. I can handle small stuff but I don’t do transmissions or internal engine parts.

@anbogi6014 5 жыл бұрын

You need to make a video of how to put everything back together that's what u need to do with all your videos. Make a video of u taking off a part and then another or the same video of you putting everything back together that would be nice 👌🏾

@HumbleMechanic 5 жыл бұрын

This whole series was about taking parts off at the junkyard. I’ve done a few serpentine belt videos since

@anthonywebber2211 7 жыл бұрын

why are VW coolant overflow tanks round

@YZJB 7 жыл бұрын

Anthony Webber Stronger shape to withstand pressure

@progmanmike 5 жыл бұрын

Anthony Webber Because science

@crockpot5194 5 жыл бұрын

Mine is super hard to loosen up is the pulley puller seized when I try to get the tensioner to release?

@HumbleMechanic 5 жыл бұрын

They hold a pretty good amount of tension. I have seen rollers seized, but never the actually tensioner

@crockpot5194 5 жыл бұрын

@@HumbleMechanic Yes mine is seized I've even tried to pull it with the same tools you have and it didn't work at all.

@progmanmike 5 жыл бұрын

Sounds like you might have to cave-man it off then

@TurkeyShaman 7 жыл бұрын

dude what i wouldnt do to get tools that make a job look that easy.

@TheBlackstealth 7 жыл бұрын

Joe Ramirez It's just as easy to do with a 3/8 ratchet :)

@MRios1128 7 жыл бұрын

What kind of ratcheting wrench is that?

@truth1901 7 жыл бұрын

Knipex

@co2addicted788 6 жыл бұрын

In the uk you can find knipex products in draper tools catalogues if that helps anybody lol

@tamicawreaks2361 6 жыл бұрын

kevin jeffrey thanks that did,,didnt think it wwas Australian...

@co2addicted788 6 жыл бұрын

You can also buy a selection of knipex tools from mac tools who also distribute draper products

@tamicawreaks2361 6 жыл бұрын

kevin jeffrey Oh yep.. cool thanks... Might have to look into some tools so I have the right tools for this bloody Car lol

@braddowns17 7 жыл бұрын

I wish my 2.8 in my Eurovan was that easy. you have to use a bolt to release pressure .

@HumbleMechanic 7 жыл бұрын

+Brad Downs that makes it pretty easy. It holds the tensioner open.

@braddowns17 7 жыл бұрын

that's true. it's just a real pain to put the bolt in and turn it without my air ratchet

@GarthGoldberg 7 жыл бұрын

No, don't use an air ratchet. Too easy to cross-thread. Just use a 50mm long bolt. I tapered the end of my bolt on a grinder a little to make it easier to find the threads. I use a small ratchet and socket.

@braddowns17 7 жыл бұрын

Garth Goldberg I have a bolt that has a non threaded end on it that I use. an air ratchet won't strip it or crossthread it unless you are trying to start it with it. you always start a bolt or nut by hand never with a power tool. once it's started then use a power tool.

@uniculCSM 7 жыл бұрын

You should mention the engine capacity!

@HumbleMechanic 7 жыл бұрын

+csm not sure what you mean

@uniculCSM 7 жыл бұрын

Well, it looks like a 2.0 liter engine. You should mention that in the title!

@uniculCSM 7 жыл бұрын

After how many miles/years must you change a tensioner like this? I have a 1.4 l engine Golf 4, I think it's time to change the tensioner because it's old and it's making noises when it's hot. Or maybe it could be from a pulley ...

@devinsmith4151 7 жыл бұрын

Doesn't look too bad. Get away at releasing the tensioner with a multigrip. BM's, T60 and an small allen key to lock the tensioner in untension position. Seems VW just like using multiple gigantic bolts to hold a tensioner, weird. On BM's N55's, only a single etorx bolt is holding it in position. Tensioner failures on BM's are extremely rare. I've seen a spring fail or a bolt head sheared off. But extremely rare. Hope the factory special tools on VW group is good, our factory supplier's quality is dropping. On diesels, some harmonic balancers just shit themselves because they are made of rubber, but that is about it. Defects from suppliers, hardly a car make fault.