Timing tensioner failure

[idgtd]

So, when I pulled into my driveway after work this afternoon, I noticed a funny little racket during my turbo cool down. Upon inspection, it was coming from under the timing belt cover. I pulled the cover, and noticed the t-belt was a little loose, so I figured I would tighten it up. When I grabbed the tensioner, I discovered the root of the problem. The bearings in the tensioner pulley were failing and the pulley had a fair bit of play in it. Now, the belt and tensioner were replaced 5000 miles ago, with contitech and SKF parts. I know I dodged a bullet on this one, but has anyone else had this happen to them? SKF tensioners are made in Germany and supposed to be good. Anyone else have some recommendations? I could understand if I had gotten one of the cheap chinese ones, but damn...... this has me kinda unnerved. The t belt tensioner is one of the last parts I want to be suspicious of.

[Rabbit TD]

So, when I pulled into my driveway after work this afternoon, I noticed a funny little racket during my turbo cool down. Upon inspection, it was coming from under the timing belt cover. I pulled the cover, and noticed the t-belt was a little loose, so I figured I would tighten it up. When I grabbed the tensioner, I discovered the root of the problem. The bearings in the tensioner pulley were failing and the pulley had a fair bit of play in it. Now, the belt and tensioner were replaced 5000 miles ago, with contitech and SKF parts. I know I dodged a bullet on this one, but has anyone else had this happen to them? SKF tensioners are made in Germany and supposed to be good. Anyone else have some recommendations? I could understand if I had gotten one of the cheap chinese ones, but damn...... this has me kinda unnerved. The t belt tensioner is one of the last parts I want to be suspicious of.

Now you have me worrying, those were the ones included in my rebuild kit also that I got last Winter from Parts Place.

[idgtd]

For the belt tension I did what I've always done with the car: Set the tension so the belt can be deflected with moderate thumb/finger pressure about 60-70 degrees between the cam  and IP sprockets. I guess I need to get the VW tool though. At least I caught it, and it didn't happen while I was on a long road trip!

[Baron VonZeppelin]

I'd be pretty concerned too with just 5000 miles.
Things do happen, but not supposed to happen like that.
Not to us !

Post back with best deal you find on timing belt tension gauge.
I'm thinking of getting one also. The deflection test just never satisfies me to be honest. But i run with it, like most all of us do. I've seen them for like 70-80 bucks so far.

[skifree]

Wonder if it was a knock off? Anyone have any trouble with Meyle?

[idgtd]

Wonder if it was a knock off? Anyone have any trouble with Meyle?

I don't think it was a knock off since I got it from a reputable source but who knows. I have had issues Meyle tie rod ends, but I've never used their tensioners before.

[macka]

I'd be pretty concerned too with just 5000 miles.
Things do happen, but not supposed to happen like that.
Not to us !

Post back with best deal you find on timing belt tension gauge.
I'm thinking of getting one also. The deflection test just never satisfies me to be honest. But i run with it, like most all of us do. I've seen them for like 70-80 bucks so far.

My brother actually works for SKF(not a parts person), if you still have the piece you should be contacting them for a replacement. He does industrial applications and even $30,000 pieces can prematurely fail, so don't be worrying too much, All the major mfgers have a certain degree of failure, because nothing is perfect.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

I was running around looking for oddball pieces today and priced a few things along the way.

fwiw - AutoZone gives a LIFETIME warranty on their Timing Belt Tensioner and its $28. They have to order it. I'm going to order one and check it out. I need 2 tensioners soon on belt jobs.

They said it was distributed by Dorman, but made by either Timken or National. Should be good piece.

I don't intend to run it 200,000-300,000+ miles - but if it were to give premature signs of wear - they are close at hand and easy to deal with on stuff like that.
==================

O'Reily has Gates for $34, Cloyes for $23 - both with 90 day warranty.
==================

AdvanceAuto has Beck-Arnly for $63 - 90 days.
The interesting thing here is they said they will price match competitors similar product if it has similar or better warranty.

So when i asked about selling me the Beck-Arn for $28, the guy said yes he would have to. So might check that out too.

Maybe get one of the A-Zone units and one of the Becks, and compare.

I scored 2 Pirelli timing belts on eBang for $10 each. 

[idgtd]

Ok, so I just got my new tensioner in and it has a fair amount of play in it! I could have sworn when I changed the tensioner the last time the pulley was tight with no perceptible play, but I have been wrong in the past. Anyone got one on hand? Mine has about 1mm of side to side play, but none radially. I suppose now I have an extra 

[Baron VonZeppelin]

What type did you get this time ?
And from where ?

I'm picking up a new one later today.
Went ahead and ordered one from AZone to inspect.
I can let you know on that side play issue.

I know exactly what Libby means on warranties, really only as good as the part itself - and i'd rather have the quality part than the warranty. Prothe could put lifetime on his $10 tensioner and it wouldn't make it any better in terms of quality or durability - i'm in tune with that.
But warranty can come into play in some cases.
Like yours, specifically.

Been trusting National and Timken for decades already without regret. All the chains now have some mediocre offerings for the cheapskates. But they also have quality available in some cases.
I'm expecting this to be a quality item. Otherwise it will not be installed.

Still going to have AdvAuto price match a Beck-Arn for further comparison. Whichever of the 2 i like best is what i'll be buying for all the others.

[smutts]

Looks as though german engineering is going the same way as british did in the seventies. More stuff is built down to a price rather than up to a specification, or just built in weird countries. I've been getting caught out with a few crappy bits and pieces lately. Latest is the Hirchman power aeriel that has gone Kaput one year and a month after buying it. Lucas would have been proud.
How are the Bosch "made in India" diesel nozzles holding up?

[macka]

Looks as though german engineering is going the same way as british did in the seventies. More stuff is built down to a price rather than up to a specification, or just built in weird countries. I've been getting caught out with a few crappy bits and pieces lately. Latest is the Hirchman power aeriel that has gone Kaput one year and a month after buying it. Lucas would have been proud.
How are the Bosch "made in India" diesel nozzles holding up?

  Yea everything is getting outsourced these days. Just so you geel better, at least Lucas' coffin would never rust 

[Baron VonZeppelin]

At first i would have said this one i got is totally snug.
Seemed like it, testing it in hand.
But mocked it in a vise to be sure.

The pulley has about .5 mm of crude measured "rock" play on the hub.
You can't move the pulley in or out on the hub -or- up or down on the hub, can only kind of rock it a little - as if trying to twist it on the hub. About a frog hair or two, at most.

If you spin it about as hard as you can using a finger on the pulley in a downward motion - it goes about 1.5 revs everytime.

If your replacement is about same - then its probably good to go.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

So here's some more of my tensioner endeavors - for now. lol

The A-Zone unit is in a Duralast box (store staple).
Its made in Korea.
It "might" have a National or Timken bearing inside like they said - but probably might not - and not going to destroy it to get it apart to see.

It looks and feels pretty nice. I'd use it for sure.
Has GT80280 number stamped on pulley hub, and GMB.
Came with a nice instructional sheet, that was surprising.
Even tells the reco'd tension setting using VW Tool #210. Setting is 12-13 units.
 
Have found a very very similar tool on eBay for $54 shipped - if any can beat that let me know please.
Going to email a pic/link to Vince also and get an opinion.

Libby have you seen or used one of these ?
And perhaps offer an opinion as to its compatibility with 1.6 / tool #210 ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350256961668&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

==============================

So then went to AdvAuto to get a price match on a Beck-Arn.
That went to he[[.
Another guy looked it up and turns out they sell a Dayco with 1year for $25. So .... no price matching.
Ordered a Dayco and it will be in Thurs or Friday to compare against this GMB $28 Lifer.

Won't be surprised if its identical, but we'll see.
And will report back.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

Looked at one of the non-technical / rearward sheets with the tensioner and it states being a Dayco product. And lists their (Dayco) warranty terms.

So A-Zone puts them in a Duralast label box and upgrades the warranty themselves to Life for $3 extra.

Be funny if the Dayco/Dayco from AdvAuto is actually different from this one, or made somewhere else. But probly will be a twin to this one.

Dayco gives 1year on the tensioner alone.

If you buy their Tensioner and Belt, and install together they warranty Both components for 60,000 miles or Manufacturers Spec Interval - whichever is greater.

So these are intended to be pretty good items underneath all the labels and price tags.
The BeckArn must look like Tiger Tank equipment for $60+.
I'm tempted to order it too just to see it.

On a hottened TD might pay up for heavier dutier.
Normal'ish Daily Drivers should be no probo on these Dayco tensioners.

Anyone have an actual picture/photo of a BeckArn ?