Aux Idlers & Tensioner

[Mr Disco]

Anyone know of a guide, or a list of steps for changing the aux belt idlers and tensioner - it's on a 2003 1.6 TS.

Been told it's a simple enough job, and should be possible for someone with decent DIY skills?

[iainfm]

2-spanner job (both in terms of tools required and Haynes rating!)

Jack up / support f/o/s of car, remove road wheel
Remove plastic panel of inner wing to access crank pulley
Note how the belt runs around the various pulleys.
Fit 15mm spanner to the aux tensioner, and turn anti-clockwise to slacken belt. Remove belt; try not to trap fingers.
13mm spanner undoes tensioner, 15mm spanner undoes idler (if you have aircon).
Refitting is reverse of removal.

You need offset spanners like these, ideally: Draper 8 Piece HI-TORQ Deep Offset Metric Ring Spanner Set Part No: 7

Refitting takes me between 30 seconds and about 10 minutes depending on how cooperative things are. If you have someone who can hold the belt in place to stop it jumping off while you're struggling with the tensioner, it helps.

You can also do it all from above by attaching a rope to the other end of the 15mm spanner and pulling on it. Smaky swears by it, but I've yet to master the technique!

[Mr Disco]

Excellent, cheers. More than do-able I think!

[addamski1980]

make sure you get the spanner on the aux idler bolt nice and square if you dont and the bolt is siezed in you can round it of then you in for loads of grief. or you can make a tool out of six sided shallow socket and weld a metal bar or 3/8 extension bar to it like i did works a treat.

[NineOneSix]

or use a swan neck six sided spanner, at least then your not botching tools for a simple task

http://www.ntrtrading.co.uk/silverlineimages/447826.jpg

[biffa]

This is one i made...

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/engin...ml#post2827424 (2.0 idle roller tool...)

[.:ian:.]

Originally Posted by iainfm

You can also do it all from above by attaching a rope to the other end of the 15mm spanner and pulling on it. Smaky swears by it, but I've yet to master the technique!

I tried this and it works like a charm! You can also tie the rope off onto the top engine mount while you faff around with the belt.

[Ralf S.]

Good tip!

But I'd be nervous that the **** would let go and whack me in the mush!

I used a swan neck ring spanner too.. there's just about not enough room in there for a socket and 3' breaker bar (for leverage! )

Ralf S.