Premature tensioner failure - Hmmm

[K15NWP]

So, in preparation for MOT retest after minor (well major) fails on the MOT with a seized OSR wheel cylinder (replaced) and dead front washer motor (replaced), I was running the car up and moving around near the barn/workshop.

Squeaking noise, wouldn't go, and I noted it soon after swapping the tensioner and belt. I found some sharper edges and rubbish in the lower cam cover before I changed the belt, as there was a noise diagnosed as tensioner/belt when I cut the aux belt and it wasn't alternator or water pump.

New Gates kit purchased and installed, quiet as a mouse, and timing crosschecked. Drove for MOT, 34 mile round trip and left the car idling for a couple hours in total.

Saturday morning, that squeak and other distinct noise was back. Slackened off the aux belt, nothing there.

The belt was rubbed and all the markings have been removed, I popped some Tippex on, and that was soon rubbed off a little with a minute or so of idling.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UjcAC_ ... sp=sharing

Slackened the belt and popped the tensioner off. Smooth in the hand when spinning.

Quiz:-

The centre came out - is that normal?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HEjxLf ... sp=sharing

The inner of the pulley is burnt and has rubber building up, and the tensioner was very hot for a couple minutes of running!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C4zLIM ... sp=sharing


Thoughts? Thank you

[mark1gls]

Errrr yes that’s not right, the middle should not come out of the tensioner and the belt should not wear like that after a short time.

Maybe get them changed for new ones as the tensioner is faulty or try a different make?

Tensioner and cam belts I’ve been using in both my cars for the last 20 years with no problems (changed them every 4 years)

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/ina-tens ... -328440040

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/contitec ... -325440025

[mark1gls]

Looking online the gates tensioner look different to yours?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314765460654 ... R8rEqPXPYg

[GT_II]

Either a duff tensioner or potentially the belt tension was too tight.

For reference, in setting the tension, the official VW workshop manual says:

(1) The timing belt must be able to be twisted by just 90 degrees with your thumb and forefinger half way between the camshaft gear and the intermediate shaft gear.
(2) After tightening the clamping nut on the tension roller, rotate the crankshaft through two complete turns and recheck the tension.

[K15NWP]

Looking online the gates tensioner look different to yours?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314765460654 ... R8rEqPXPYg

Thank you, I ordered the K015016 kit (tensioner, bolt, belt) - this reference is listed in the advert you have forwarded (really useful to bookmark!)

[K15NWP]

Either a duff tensioner or potentially the belt tension was too tight.

For reference, in setting the tension, the official VW workshop manual says:

(1) The timing belt must be able to be twisted by just 90 degrees with your thumb and forefinger half way between the camshaft gear and the intermediate shaft gear.
(2) After tightening the clamping nut on the tension roller, rotate the crankshaft through two complete turns and recheck the tension.

Twist test was as you describe, I am rather confused! Step 2 was not included, so when the new kit arrives, I will undertake those steps manually.

Strangely, the 'noise' came on after the running (probably 2 or 3 hours running in total) and was not there first thing in the morning, it developed on the second or third start of the morning when I was bumbling up at my hobby space.

Fingers-crossed that it was a duff one, if I had got it from the local motor factors it would a an FoC exchange - but I, errrr, didn't.



Thank you for the responses - really useful learning!

[mark1gls]

When I change my belt I check the tension by hand, turn the engine over by hand and then start the engine with the covers off and no alternator belt and run the engine for a minute, you can hear it whine like a super charger if to tight then when the engine has stopped check the tension again.
Let us know how you get on

[K15NWP]

So far, so good. Must have been a duff tensioner.

Went carefully through, Autodata book, interweb and methodical. A few more miles, and hours, running in, so will book another MOT now the brake cylinder is replaced and washer pump motor.

Got some amazing mats from Torquepartz, and now looking for a stereo that is more in period (so I can listen to my tapes).

All the best,

Liam

[mark1gls]

Fingers crossed for the MOT, I had mine last week on my Mk1 Golf cabriolet and got the usual advisories slight play in rear wheel bearings and small oil leak or ARPS - Automatic rust prevention system