300 TDi fanbelt tensioner

Superaquarama · Dec 21, 2023

I'm finding it impossible to get the belt back on the pulleys, and suspect it might be the tensioner that's seized, or almost. Took it off and put it in the vice; with a crowbar it won't rotate more than 4 or 5 mm at the outer edge of the pulley -surely it should move more than this ?

KW3500 · Dec 21, 2023

Sounds like you're right. Not sure how common that is.

Mr Chaffey · Dec 21, 2023

When the pulley is mounted you will require a good long breaker bar at least 600mm long in order to rotate it for belt replacement.
A ratchet will not suffice unless of course it's seized up.

lynall · Dec 22, 2023

Worth trying to free it up, as it is just a nylon bush pivoting on a steel pin, so there is nothing in there you can hurt with some duck oil.
I just use a long 3/8 ratchet to remove/fit them.

Superaquarama · Dec 22, 2023

Well, I got a new entire tensioner today and it was chalk and cheese ! Only took 3 mins tops to fit it and the belt, the new one does revolve around 90 degrees and, as Lynall says, using just a 3/8 socket ratchet. So I'd say Mr Chaffey's 600mm bar is unnecessray unless the thing is semi-seized already. Tried soaking the old one overnight but made no difference.
Thanks for the help, everyone.

Mr Chaffey · Dec 22, 2023

A 600mm bar allows ease for fitting and is stored with the jack for wheel changes...

lynall · Dec 22, 2023

Superaquarama said:
Well, I got a new entire tensioner today and it was chalk and cheese ! Only took 3 mins tops to fit it and the belt, the new one does revolve around 90 degrees and, as Lynall says, using just a 3/8 socket ratchet. So I'd say Mr Chaffey's 600mm bar is unnecessray unless the thing is semi-seized already. Tried soaking the old one overnight but made no difference.
Thanks for the help, everyone.

I even use the 3/8 ratchet on the truck ones as well which are a bit meatier, 1/2 inch would be nice but generally there is no room for the larger ratchet.
If replacing the tensioner I do not bother de adjusting them, I just undo the centre bolt and let it fall off, makes life easier and saves the knuckles, just make sure the tensioner cannot attack the rad as it comes off!

300 TDi fanbelt tensioner

Superaquarama

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KW3500

Member

Mr Chaffey

Member

lynall

Well-Known Member

Superaquarama

Member

Mr Chaffey

Member

lynall

Well-Known Member

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