Alternator Tensioner Vibration

[-LeonFR-]

Hello folks,

Got my cambelt/tensioner/waterpump/aux belt replaced around 500 miles ago. Yesterday noticed a vibration noise coming from the engine and the aux belt squeals when idling if I turn the wheel slowly. Looking at the belt, the aux tensioner seems to vibrate a lot when idling.

Do you think this means a bearing in the tensioner will have gone, or could it just need tightening up?

It's going back to the garage that did the work on Monday, but would be nice to be prepared.

Cheers

 

[DPJ]

They're not adjustable. A new one won't be expensive.

 

[-LeonFR-]

Thanks mate, good to know what to expect - I'd seen they're about £30

 

[Matt Pounder]

Hi all. Was driving down to Skeg on Friday and developed a vibrating noise. I think i might have pinpointed it to the alternator belt tensioner, as it is oscillating quite a lot. It sounds worse when engine is started cold and when steering wheel is turned the noise gets louder and sounds as if a belt is squealing. The noise is only when on idling and when you give a few revs the noise disappears and the tensioner stops oscillating. Is this what the problem could be? Its booked in with the garage tomorrow, would just like to see if anybody else has had the problem!

 

[-LeonFR-]

Hi Matt,

They are exactly the symptoms that mine had. The upshot was that the tensioner had seized up and had to be replaced, the bill was around £100 including vat and labour. It could just be that your belt needs tightening, so £100ish should be worst case scenario.

 

[Matt Pounder]

Cheers for that LeonFR. It turned out to be the Alternator bearings that had seized. So it was a pulley that had seized up but not the tensioner. Only cost me £142 for parts and labour. Are u going to Awesome GTI on Saturday?