Volkswagen Passat (2001 - 2005) - 2002 1.9 TDi PD Tensioner Pulley

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Thu 18 Sep 2008 10:20
2002 1.9 TDi PD Tensioner Pulley - Peter D
Guys, I have an AWX engine on my drive and the serpentine belt is going balistic at tickover. It is shaking the tensioner quite violently. Above tickover it all calms down. On inspection and depressing the metal centre bolt the tensioner moves down at least 3mm before the plastic pulley moves. Is this soft mounted or is the centre bearing wearing through the plastic pulley ? Regards Peter

Edited by Pugugly on 18/09/2008 at 19:39

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Thu 18 Sep 2008 10:40
2002 1.9 Passat 2002 1.9 TDi PD Tensioner Pulley - 659FBE
If there is free movement in the tensioner around the centre bolt, it's almost certainly worn out - pattern spares are available from GSF and the like.

The cause of all this will almost certainly be a seized one way drive inside the alternator pulley. A new pulley is the only course of action.

Out of interest, how many miles has it covered? I have an AWX engined VAG vehicle and find the economy/performance compromise better than any other vehicle I've used.

659.
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Thu 18 Sep 2008 10:45
2002 1.9 Passat 2002 1.9 TDi PD Tensioner Pulley - Peter D
Thanks for the speedy reply 102,000. It's not mine it is a visitors car and I noticed the noise as he pulled into my drive. I checked the clutch and the fan in the alternator does not turn forward at all so as you say the clutch has failed. Regards Peter
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Thu 18 Sep 2008 12:25
2002 1.9 Passat 2002 1.9 TDi PD Tensioner Pulley - Peter D
Yep as suspected the Alternator was seized as you could not rotate the alterator cooling fan and there is 3 mm of free movement in the tensioer pulley. The car is now on the way to a local to owner garage, if the pulley holds together. Regards Peter
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Thu 18 Sep 2008 17:38
2002 1.9 Passat 2002 1.9 TDi PD Tensioner Pulley - 659FBE
Thanks for the feedback. My enquiries suggest that after about 80k miles, these pulleys tend to seize. Be careful on your garage trip - the pulley has been known to migrate through the radiator fan...

659.
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Thu 18 Sep 2008 19:31
2002 1.9 Passat 2002 1.9 TDi PD Tensioner Pulley - Peter D
Thanks 659 my visitor got home safely and left the car at his local VW garage. Regards Peter
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