300TDi Squeeling belt 'Penny Trick'

Hi all,

I'd just like to add my "thanks" for this tip as well. My 300tdi developed a squeak and after changing the belt (it was due a change anyway) which made no difference I then tried swapping the tensioner. This seemed to work for a few days but then it came back.

I then stumbled upon this post! Curiously it didn't work on the new tensioner but in a flash of inspiration I took the old one down from the shelf (tip - never throw anything away) and tried putting the penny behind this one and hey-presto, silence has returned.

My theory as to why it sounds like the water pump squeaking (I was all-but ready to buy a new water pump) is that this is closest to the tensioner so if the tensioner isn't quite 'true' it'll be the next pully along that is affected the most.

Many many thanks,

Steve

just done this and I can confirm it has worked a treat many Thanks

now change the bearing: http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f38/300tdi-changing-serpantine-tensioner-bearing-64147.html

i did it to mine a few weeks back too... worked like a charm (Fixing Land Rover Rear Electric Windows and Annoyingly Squeaky Belt Tensioner | Richard Hobbs)! My tensioner was brand new and had only done 5,000 mile or so while squeaking, so my bearings should be ok.............. i think...

Have just done mine! perfeck so far the problem i had was worse than that budgey caught under the bonnett i was loosing ribs. think i got down to 4 left out of 7 the belt being half its width. not only that but it knocked the steering pump out of alighnment and had to replace that!! Does anyone know how long this penny trick lasts or should i get a new tensioner?

well... i've been told that the penny trick aligns things properly that were not previous aligned (due to a manufacturing fault).

therefore, the penny trick should last forever (unless the penny falls out).

however, if it's been misaligned for long enough, the pulley bearings could be knackered and it'll only last as long as the bearings.

Don't take my words as absolute truth though - i'm not experienced at all - just been told stuff and repeating it here!

well this thread is over 2 years old now, and the penny was in way before it was posted!
Budgie R.I.P. and tensioner still going strong on the same bearing!

just started her up this morning (usually worse when cold) and working fine thanks to all concerned :clap2:

Where is the stud to slacken it?

The Mad Hat Man said:

Where is the stud to slacken it?

Click to expand...

to slacken the belt or to get the penny in?

erm
I think the centre nut rotates, does it not, to slacken the belt. Its sleckening the unit for the penny i was thinking of.

Oh - and do yu have to remove the belt to fit the penny?

The Mad Hat Man said:

erm
I think the centre nut rotates, does it not, to slacken the belt. Its sleckening the unit for the penny i was thinking of.

Oh - and do yu have to remove the belt to fit the penny?

Click to expand...

The nut in the centre of the actual pulley is used to slacken the belt.

The nut on the stud is what you use to slacken the tensioner. I've always slackend the belt off before undoing the tensioner bolt.

Am I blind? wheres the stud?

The Mad Hat Man said:

Am I blind? wheres the stud?

Click to expand...

approx 3" to the right of the penny

ah - that big thing with nut on it? I thought that was the tensioner bit. Mind yu I aint looked closely at the motor yet - thought I would :search: first .

here ya go

Ah - thanks



pssst - ya hands a bit shaky

The Mad Hat Man said:

ah - that big thing with nut on it? I thought that was the tensioner bit. Mind yu I aint looked closely at the motor yet - thought I would :search: first .

Click to expand...

here's one off of a vehicle

is this one of those bits we int sposed to post in? :doh:

The Mad Hat Man said:

Ah - thanks



pssst - ya hands a bit shaky

Click to expand...

So was me......erm......... never mind.