The fanbelt tensioner on the way out?

Hi all

Just a quick question - does the fanbelt tensioner ever give any warning its about to seize/fall off?

I have a 6 hour round trip to make in the defender at 4am tomorrow and theres a random squeak at idle. Seems to be behind the rad and toward the lower area of the engine... any throttle and it goes silent. Someone set my suspicions to rest and tell me its not the tensioner giving me signs?

Edit* It reminds me of the noise the belt makes when its slipping a little, just not quite so 'in your face' if you get me. haha

thanks

Which motor do you have ?

200tdi. sorry should have added that in first post. 1993.

Try the penny trick - do a quick search for a how to do.

Landyfox said:

Try the penny trick - do a quick search for a how to do.

Click to expand...

Thought the penny trick was for the 300? or have I lost it again

aaronmorris said:

Thought the penny trick was for the 300? or have I lost it again

Click to expand...

I thought it was both 200 and 300 Tdi's Ah....you may well right there!

200 tdi does not have a fan belt tensioner - well it does sort of, it's the alternator. Is your belt slack - it should only have a little give in it if you push it in the middle. If you think it's slack, loosen off the alternator bolts and apply pressure against the alternator to take up the slack as you tighten the bolts. Can be a little tricky on your own - it's good to get a friend to apply the pressure whilst you do up the bolts. If the belt is worn, replace it - they are only a couple of £.

sp00k said:

200 tdi does not have a fan belt tensioner - well it does sort of, it's the alternator. Is your belt slack - it should only have a little give in it if you push it in the middle. If you think it's slack, loosen off the alternator bolts and apply pressure against the alternator to take up the slack as you tighten the bolts. Can be a little tricky on your own - it's good to get a friend to apply the pressure whilst you do up the bolts. If the belt is worn, replace it - they are only a couple of £.

Click to expand...

Sometimes a bar slipped between the engine and alternator to lever it at the same time as tightening the bolts helps