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Author Topic: AAZ t-belt tensioner  (Read 4635 times)

June 09, 2015, 12:58:53 am

wolf_walker

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AAZ t-belt tensioner
« on: June 09, 2015, 12:58:53 am »
So I gather the early AAZ had the regular 1.6L style tensioner, and the later had the early TDI style.

Any idea what was the motivation for the change between the two?
Is the later style just easier to correctly tension, with the alignment marks.

Can one retrofit the later tensioner to an AAZ? Since I can never, ever, ever leave well enough alone...



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Reply #1June 09, 2015, 08:11:12 am

burn_your_money

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Re: AAZ t-belt tensioner
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2015, 08:11:12 am »
They all used the same style tensioner.
Tyler

Reply #2June 09, 2015, 12:42:57 pm

wolf_walker

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Re: AAZ t-belt tensioner
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2015, 12:42:57 pm »
Hmm, well mine is the manual 1.6 style, and I've read repeated reference to the later AAZ having the 1z/ahu style.

Question remains either way, are they interchangeable other than the size of the mounting stud, and what was the benefit
of the later design?  Ease of tension adjustment or something more tangible?
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Reply #3June 09, 2015, 03:06:21 pm

vanbcguy

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Re: AAZ t-belt tensioner
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2015, 03:06:21 pm »
The lock hole for the tensioner tab probably isn't there on the earlier engines. But if it is then the main benefit is easy tensioning since it now has a gauge built in, plus it will maintain tension as the belt wears. Folks do recommend checking / adjusting the tension half way through the tbelt change interval.
Bryn

1994 Jetta - AHU M-TDI - Jezebel Jetta
2004 Jetta Wagon - 1.8T - Blitzen

Reply #4June 09, 2015, 03:37:28 pm

wolf_walker

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Re: AAZ t-belt tensioner
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2015, 03:37:28 pm »
So it is spring loaded to some degree?  It's been so long I can't remember on the one I did on that PD, if it's even the same setup.
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Reply #5June 11, 2015, 10:10:35 pm

vanbcguy

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Re: AAZ t-belt tensioner
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2015, 10:10:35 pm »
Yup, there's a spring inside. It has a tension gauge built in too, super handy.
Bryn

1994 Jetta - AHU M-TDI - Jezebel Jetta
2004 Jetta Wagon - 1.8T - Blitzen

Reply #6June 12, 2015, 07:48:30 am

burn_your_money

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Re: AAZ t-belt tensioner
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2015, 07:48:30 am »
Hmm, well mine is the manual 1.6 style, and I've read repeated reference to the later AAZ having the 1z/ahu style.

My mistake. I was thinking serp tensioner even though you clearly wrote t-belt.

Yes they are different and my understanding of why they changed was to do away with that special belt tensioning tool. The new style has a mark that lines up when you tension it properly.
Tyler

Reply #7June 12, 2015, 11:13:17 am

wolf_walker

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Re: AAZ t-belt tensioner
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2015, 11:13:17 am »
Ah-haa... That's good info.

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