So, driving home tonight - bit of a clatter, and the battery warning light comes on. My polo's thrown it's aux belt.

The tensioner pulley has separated from the main tensioner spring unit because the bearings seized.

A couple of questions:

- do I need to change the tensioner, or can I just replace the pulley itself? (it seems to have an integrated bearing, so might be possible).

- if i need to change the whole tensioner (about £40) how do I do it? The haynes doesn't really go into it. I'm hoping for an hour's job in the light on Saturday morning...

Cheers all

(car might be for sale if it passes its MOT next week)

You've had your moneysworth out of that one!

There is no great problem in changing the auxiliary belt, it's only the timing belt that requires you to jack up the engine. Having said that, if the timing belt has been on as long as the auxiliary, it too will be well due for renewing.

You'll have done the job and had a cup of coffee in an hour.

Regards.

PS.Change the complete unit. Section 2A, page 10 of Haynes manual tells you all that you need to know.

Regards.

Cheers caretaker,

This tensioner is fixed from the rear, from the right hand side of the casting which holds the alternator etc. The hole for the allen key / socket is just next to the oil filter. Anyone know what fastener is in there? I can't reach it to feel, and definitely can't see it.

The haynes only covers the belt change, not tensioner change.

OK it's done. For anyone doing this job the tensioner retaining bolt is a hex head the same size as the alternator mounting bolts. You'll need a small socket and a short extension bar (too long and it'll foul the exhaust downtube).

And don't buy halfords belts. I know belts stretch with age, but not 2 inches - i've had to put the old one back on for now...

Cheers for you are help...