91 ecodiesel Questions V belt and cruise

[DAKOTAKIDD]

Hey all...I am new here so bare with me.

I have a 91 Jetta ecodiesel. I have changed all 3 v belts but today I noticed the middle one (ac compressor) is loose. I tried tightening it up and snaped the adjusting bolt because its already at its max tension. The belts were changed maybe a month ago. I guess I was sold the wrong length belt. After I got a temp bolt in the adjuster, got it semi tight, I noticed the alternator belt is also adjusted to its fullest but its also a new belt.

Does anyone know the correct part #'s or belt lengths for this car?

Also, my cruise doesn't work. Today I checked all the vacuum lines up to the diaphram under the IP and they are all good. My question is, should the vacuum pump be making any noise at idle? I felt mine today with the car running at idle and its not making any noise or vibration at all. Normal or not

Thx for your help

[Quantum TD]

Here are the belt sizes for your car:

PS: This one varies. I've seen different sizes on stock ECOdiesels. So, it's best to have the old one measured. Here's the PN I have:   11.9 X 650

AC: This should be 13 x 947

ALT: The book calls for a 10 X 695. But I find that the 10 X 685 is a nicer fit. It gives you more room to adjust down the road. The only downside is that you may have to remove either the alternator, the tensioner-roller, or both to get it on.

If your belts fit in those ranges, then your pulleys may be rusted/pitted and can eat thru your belts. This is especially tru on the alt. pulley. The stamped steel can pit badly when it rusts, and really eat thru belts.



As for your Cruise Control. I really haven't got much experince there, but from what I gather, the switches on the pedals go bad/run out of adjustment, and the vacuum lines to them will often split.

[Jettage1]

I feel your pain.  Doing the belts when you have A/C is challenging - ask me how I know  :roll: I ended up removing the water pump pulley to get the belt off - there wasn't enough travel to fully loosen it.

Regarding snapping the bolt - were all of the "pinch" bolts on the compressor loose?  I'm assuming if you got the old belt off, the compressor was fully mobile by hand?  Just checking...  

I don't have the car in front of me, but the alternator adjustment and A/C adjustment may affect each other, IIRC.  I think I got the A/C adjusted and then did the alt.

[DAKOTAKIDD]

Thx for the replys guys.  I will be changing all 3 belts again on Friday.

As for the vacuum pump for the cruise, .....Does it make any vibration or noise at idle?  Any info would help...

[the caveman]

vacuum pump will not function unless the whole system is working, unless you have a vacuum leak, but normally you won't hear it as it only comes on when driving above 40-60 kph

[jtanguay]

I feel your pain.  Doing the belts when you have A/C is challenging - ask me how I know  :roll: I ended up removing the water pump pulley to get the belt off - there wasn't enough travel to fully loosen it.

Regarding snapping the bolt - were all of the "pinch" bolts on the compressor loose?  I'm assuming if you got the old belt off, the compressor was fully mobile by hand?  Just checking...  

I don't have the car in front of me, but the alternator adjustment and A/C adjustment may affect each other, IIRC.  I think I got the A/C adjusted and then did the alt.

i had to use a screwdriver each time to get the damn belt off.. the belt that was on previously was wayyyy too long so everything was out of whack  :lol:  v-belts are great when they're working though, which is when exactly???  :roll:  :lol:

[Spartacus]

...
AC: This should be 13 x 947

ALT: The book calls for a 10 X 695. But I find that the 10 X 685 is a nicer fit. It gives you more room to adjust down the road. The only downside is that you may have to remove either the alternator, the tensioner-roller, or both to get it on...

Alternator v-belt: The Gates 7270 (VX) belt is 27 inches long, which equates to a little over 685mm. It is 10mm wide and the V is at a 38 degree angle. I just put one on. I think I am done with continental belts, as the spares in the trunk had failed after 2.5 years being carted around. Gates does not make a green stripe or Fleetrunner belt in this size range.

WP with AC v-belt: The Gates 9375HD (fleetrunner aka green stripe) belt is 37.55 inches long (nearly 954mm), 13mm wide, and the V is at a 38 degree angle. These belts are made of EPDM, which does not crack as neoprene does. This is the next belt I am going to use. Anyone have experience with this item? This is 4mm longer than that recommended by VW for my car (86 Jetta TD). Anyone foresee problems with this?

[Dakotakid]

For my two cents:
Perhaps (as above mentioned) your pulleys have etched or worn (unevenly) prematurely due to running narrower crappy belts over time.
About 7 years ago, I began running ONLY Continentals. I never have any problems with Conti's....buy them from AutohausAZ. Occasionally replace my idler bearings (as needed). I never overtighten the belts and get lots of trouble-free miles. And yes.....I run the wee-wee out of my stuff in all kinds of weather.

Edit: The "correct" Conti compressor-waterpump belt does need to be helped on-off with a screwdriver (carefully), but, this is a very minor inconvenience and takes only about 45 seconds....max. If you have a belt which goes on without help, you probably have one too long for the job.