Can somebody please offer some guidance on how to change the alternator belt, on a 1997 Polo 1.4 8V.

Are there any special tools needed, and can all the work be done on a driveway without lifting the car up.

Can be done but the car needs to be jacked, and if you've got arch liners, you might need to take them out if you're on your own.

Jack the car up and get a 15mm spanner. Put this on the tensioner - the bit that has a rounded pulley rather than one with teeth and TIGHTEN it - clockwise.

You might need to reposition the spanner a few times to get the right angle, but tightening the bolt will remove the tension on the belt and you can remove the old belt. You probably won't be able to do it with just one side jacked though, unless you've got help.

Old belt off, new one one, again, position the belt in the right way - take note before you take it off - and tighten the pulley and push the belt over.

Without arch liners, I did mine in the petrol station across the road from GSF.

If you are jacking the car up, put it on axle stands and MAKE SURE it's safe. If you're not sure, get someone who knows to do it.

Hi Adam,

Do i need to keep the spanner on the tensioner and keep it un-tensioned once i've removed the belt. Or will it spring back, if i let go of the spanner when the belt is off?

It will fight against you the whole time.

You'll need to reposition the spanner a few times to get the right angle. Not hard, no, but takes a little time.

Probably less than 10 minutes once you've done it a few times.

A longish spanner makes life easier, as there is a fair tension on that adjuster spring.

Regards.

Managed to change the belt on Saturday, wasn't to hard. Thanks for the help on this.

But I think I need to replace the tensioner as the belt hast to squeak like belt slip. The pulley on the tensioner is very shiny, so must be warn.

Does anyone know how the tensioner comes off?

Tensioner is part of the from engine bracket assy (which holds alternator and PAS pump) and are £££

Correct. Scrap yard is the best.

Are you guys saying this part is not removable.

I've put a link up to show the part.

http://www.doctorcarparts.co.uk/alternator...305362-prd1.htm

Totally removable, but totally not worth the cost:

Price:£56.00

Totally removable, but totally not worth the cost:

Price:£56.00

Why do you not worth the cost?

The drive belt is squeking most of the time, do you think this part is not the cause of it.

Even if i buy the mounting from the scrappers, i will still have to take the old one off so all the hassle will be still there.

Yeah, I understand the hassle is there. Have you put the belt on the right way? Serious question, but I've gotta ask.

I'm sure there's a way that looks right but won't have enough tension? And the right belt, too?

Yeah, I understand the hassle is there. Have you put the belt on the right way? Serious question, but I've gotta ask.

I'm sure there's a way that looks right but won't have enough tension? And the right belt, too?

I didn't know there was a right and wrong way for the belt. I did check and there were no arrows on it, but i will check again.

Th belt I'm sure is right, its Conti brand. Checked it against the old one that i took off, and the old was bit longer. But i put that down due to it been old, and would have stretched.

So for the tensioner pulley to be shiny, is okay then?

I didn't mean direction, I meant the routing, haha.

Sounds like the belt is right, it's that you get ones with Air-con, ones without, etc.

Tensioner would be shiny, it's got a belt running over it, it'll polish the metal eventually.

Sure it's the belt? What about a worn bearing on one of the aux components?

LOL

Not sure, its just that it sounds like belt is slipping.

The high screech and squeak sound you get when the alternator belt wasn't tensioned properly on older cars.

I sprayed some soapy water on it, and it did go quiet for awhile. Might have a go at cleaning the pulleys this weekend and try again before i go for the tensioner.

Hmm, maybe it is that then. Could be a sqeaky bearing though. Mine had that and I just replaced the bearing. Hmm..

(10) 030145167D bracket for alternator / for models with power steering

(10) 032145167B bracket for alternator / for models with air conditioner and power steering

(11) 030145299C belt tensioning damper

(12) 030145933T ribbed v-belt / for models with power steering 21,18X1070MM /

(12) 036145933Q ribbed v-belt / for models with air conditioner and power steering 21,18X1125MM /

(13) N 0195313 hexagon head bolt c/w shoulder M8X40 /

(14) N 10120803 hexagon head bolt c/w shoulder M8X85 /

(15) N 90870401 hexagon socket head bolt with shoulder / for models with power steering / for models with air conditioner and power steering AM10X50-SW16 /

(15) N 90596902 bolt, hex. hd. with shoulder, self-locking M10X55-SW16KL / AER,ALL

(16) N 90628301 hexagonal head bolt M10X95 /

(16) N 90658702

Cheers Nige,

Looking at the picture, it should come off with removing the bolt at number (13)

Hmm, maybe it is that then. Could be a sqeaky bearing though. Mine had that and I just replaced the bearing. Hmm..

So how did you go about replacing just the bearing?

Cheers Nige,

Looking at the picture, it should come off with removing the bolt at number (13)

That's what I thought, as I can't see any other purpose for it

What about a replacement part from Eurocarpart? You could buy new and get 25% off with the forum discount (see ECP forum for code). I think they do INA brand drive belt tensioners.

PoloD.

With all the snow, I haven't been able to fix this.

But it seems the squeeking noise has disappeared, by it self. Might take it off again now that the snow has gone and try greasing the bearing in the tensioner.

If you can get the pulley off, there's three rivets, you can still them out the replace the bearing.