Jetta alternator belt tensioner solution

Vdub-bub · Post by **Vdub-bub** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:21 am

I got tired of always having to retension my alternator belt all the time, so I came up with this solution.

It still uses the original size belt, but it does have quite a tight reverse bend on the belt.

I've been using it now for over 5000 Km with no problems, and that is with the old belt not a new one.

I made the idler myself using the same size bore bearing and a piece of brass bar, and attached that to a piece of 1/4" X 1 1/4" flat bar. I made up a spacer to move the idler to the centre of the belt.

If this rig doesn't work everything is still stock and all I would have to do is reassemble everything.

The belt flutters a bit on the drive side of the alt. pully, but I'm thinking that it might go away when I put a new belt on.

So far it has been working fantastic, no squeeling on start up, I haven't had to retension the belt once, and the tach starts working right at start-up.

http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm64 ... C00001.jpg

If this photo upload doesn't work let me know, it's my first time uploading and I may not have got it right.

rallydiesel · Post by **rallydiesel** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:59 pm

Looks better than stock.

Post by **Fatmobile** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:23 pm

Niiice.,... and simple.

JRM · Post by **JRM** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:30 pm

nice, amazing they still had the same setup and "issues" as my 1985 does- although mine has now loosened up so much to the point that I can here the ac unit jiggeling in its loose mounting holes the belt still remains quiet and the temp has not risen, i think i will leave it along and just keep my foot on the gas at stoplights

inmytree · Post by **inmytree** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:05 am

you wouldn't happen to be making these for sale...?

I'd be VERY interested in this solution...

wewantutopia · Post by **wewantutopia** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:48 am

you wouldn't happen to be making these for sale...?

I'd be VERY interested in this solution...

I second this!

Vdub-bub · Post by **Vdub-bub** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:14 am

you wouldn't happen to be making these for sale...?

I'd be VERY interested in this solution...

I'd like to do some more refining on it, maybe a larger idler pulley to reduce the back bend on the belt, and maybe a little more rigid bracket.

I'll do some thinking about making some up, but I'm not sure what models/years this mod could be applied to.

Does anyone have some information on what models/years used the same setup for Jetta's with air cond/power steering options?

Post by **Fatmobile** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:59 pm

' 85 - '92, Jetta and Golf diesels/TDs for sure.
I'm not sure how the quantums.

CoolAirVw · Post by **CoolAirVw** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:14 am

Vdub-bub wrote:If this photo upload doesn't work let me know, it's my first time uploading and I may not have got it right.

You've got the upload to photobucket good. Might be a little better if you posted the link like this.

Do this by clicking in the text box marked IMG Code Forums & Bulliten Boards. When you click it a small "pop-up" will show "copied" and the address will be copied to your clipboard. Then "paste" that address here on the forum. Running two windows, one with photobucket open and one with the forum open, then ALT-TAB between the two makes this real easy, or if you have TABBED browsing (firefox, yahoo toolbar or Internet Explorer 7) you can just run the two windows in different tabs and switch between.

Quantum-man · Post by **Quantum-man** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:49 am

Fatmobile wrote:' 85 - '92, Jetta and Golf diesels/TDs for sure.
I'm not sure how the quantums.

Alt belt comes off the a/c I think.

Wouldn't this mod be better if it was 'sprung' Take the fear of overtensioning out and compensate for stretch etc

Vdub-bub · Post by **Vdub-bub** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:09 pm

Wouldn't this mod be better if it was 'sprung' Take the fear of overtensioning out and compensate for stretch etc

I had wondered about making it self adjusting, but wanted to try this out first just to make sure that it would work, I wanted to leave most of it stock if I could just in case there were problems and I had to switch it back on the road.

There isn't much room either, so I'm not sure if a spring loaded adjuster would work.

It's suprising how little tension is required to keep the belt from slipping with it configured this way, I just tightened it up until the belt didn't flap too much.

goofy golf · Post by **goofy golf** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:15 pm

Great set up vdud-bub. I too wrestled with this alt belt problem a few years ago. It seems like the factory way just dont let the belt make enough contact with the alt pulley. With the idler pulley there would be less stress on the alt bearing.

That back idler is sweet, and soon I will fab one up also .

Sure wish the engineers designed it that way from the start cause it sure makes alot more sense.

the man 53 · Post by **the man 53** » Sun May 04, 2008 10:02 am

I need one of these. Could you make me one reasonably, or tell me how long of peice of the 1/4"x1-1/4" stock is? I also need the bearing part, because mine is always needing attention and the bearing is going now on the stock item. I will need two if I am doing this anyway, also what are the dimentions of the brass stock? This is a great mod. Please let me know either way, thanks. Lucas

the man 53 · Post by **the man 53** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:42 pm

I resized the picture but I still don't have dimentions. I went and bought some stuff today out on business

. I got a 2" wide roller with a bearing in it for 2 dollars and a piece of 1/4x1-1/4 flat stock and bolts to go with it. I just am too lazy to do all of the measuring and stuff right now, I am still putting the 86 NA jetta together so now is a perfect time to do something like this. I was thinking of something like this only replacing the factory v pulley with that on the front side, but I like your idea better. Let me know the measurement of the bar and adjustment holes/slot. THanks Lucas ><>

the man 53 · Post by **the man 53** » Wed May 07, 2008 10:00 pm

any measurements??? I really want to start this, but want assurance of what to do. I also wanted to know what kind of bolt you used as not to hit the alt. fan? thanks

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Jetta alternator belt tensioner solution

Jetta alternator belt tensioner solution

Re: Jetta alternator belt tensioner solution