How to replace Serpentine Belt Tensioner VW T5 2010-2015 Power Steering Failure Belt Change

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

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[@julespepper6691]

Lurgs cheers for your help , managed to fit new aircon pulley wheel new belt , took me all day due to the nut seized on the pulley , now have aircon ready for winter 🤣😂

[@chrissteph123]

Thank you very much for uploading this video! I replaced the belt and tensioner on my 2011 VW T5 yesterday. Your video helped me a lot! To remove the tensioner, I used a 13 mm. ratchet spanner with pivot head. I cut the spanner in two, and welded it (the ratchet side) on to a 12 mm. bar (about 500 mm. long) bend in 45 degrees. I also loosened the AC pump (did not disconnect the hoses). I used about 2.5 hours on the job total, most of the time struggling with the bolt on the tensioner!

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

chrissteph123 yeh that bolt is way up there! Make sure the alternator clutch pulley is not at fault as this is what caused my belt to snap twice! Thanks for the comment, please subscribe if you can. Have a great week

[@MrLK97]

@@LurgsHowToGuides How did you notice that the alternator clutch is faulty. Keep up the good work! :)

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

I spoke to a friend at a garage and it's quite common so we swapped it anyway, I shredded another brand new belt so it had to be something not right.

[@davewernham5623]

Brilliant video mate thanks very much , my belt snapped yesterday and I have just fitted a new one now. That bolt for the tensioner is a bloody pig to get at, it it’s done . Great video a massive help , thanks again

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Thanks, glad it was useful. Keep an eye on the alternator clutch pulley as these can seize and shred the belt! Hopefully that won’t happen.

[@babelonchabalala1690]

Exact same thing happened yesterday .... Those tensioners are weak design with plastic inside.... I had an old Jetta timing belt laying around fitted it on so i could just get to the part shops with alternator running at least..... Power steering gone so turning the bus was a nightmare...... Thought the whole mounting with tensioner was a complete unit.... Ur video helped thanks

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

It’s worth changing the alternator clutch pulley as my new belt shredded again and it was this that was faulty and would randomly seize up and shred the belt!

[@babelonchabalala1690]

Will take note of that thanks..... Busy taking off the tensioner as we speak...... Found it easier to access the tensioner bolt by just removing the front engin mount because engin is held by the remaining left , right and rear mounts..... Taking off the mount only took away extra 30 minutes...... I ordered the new tensioner will fetch it later and install 👍

[@babelonchabalala1690]

Just finished with the bus...... Replaced the tensioner but it still rattled on idle ..... So i figure the belt must have stretched due to the old tensioner not functioning as should.... Replaced the belt also and all is good now 🥰

[@christucker282]

Thanks for vid guys. Currently doing mine now. Saved me alot of headaches finding the tensioner bolt 👍👍 subbed

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Hope it all went ok.

[@steveramsay]

Very useful, thankyou! - that tensioner bolt had me fooled on mine!

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Yeh it’s a pig of a job

[@Hynnekr]

Thanks for posting this video. Great help to me when I replaced the tensioner on my van. The bolt was a real nightmare to get to. I spent hours figuring out what kind of spanner you used to get it out. I ended up welding together two spanners and bending them in peculiar ways to get i done. Thanks anyway . Grease and peace :-)

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Kristen Hynne Glad to have helped. Make sure the alternator clutch pulley isn't the culprit if it goes again. Please subscribe if you wish so I can continue my channel. I've also got a VW T5 playlist of tips.

[@mazstojan8889]

Great video awesome effort to get great footage and pics .. great editing to pause sections , really appreciate the work.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Maz Stojan Glad to have helped. Make sure you check the alternator clutch pulley as that's what caused mine to fail. Please subscribe if you found this useful. Would appreciate it. Thank you.

[@MrMrLTD]

Just unbolt the power steer pump and move it forward, will give you enough room to get a standard 13mm ratchet spanner on the rear bolt.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

MrMrLTD Cheers, great Tip 👍🏻

[@CeeKay21]

Thanks for this video , also own a Kombi , i have a challenge with the car not starting immediately when it is hot do you have an idea of where I can start to look?

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

It could be any number of things. If you do a long fast journey and come to turn it off then let it idle for a while to let the turbo stop spinning as fast and cool down. Not starting is usually glow plugs but if it's warm it doesn't usually use them. Hope you can sort it out. Good luck.

[@CeeKay21]

@@LurgsHowToGuides thanks for taking your time to reply

[@Rob.P]

🙂 Good job the two of you 👍

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Cheers

[@pauleriksson1040]

Thanks for the video mate, really helpful 👍

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

My new belt snapped again and it ended up being the Alternator clutch pulley so replace that or keep an eye on it.

[@pauleriksson1040]

@@LurgsHowToGuides ok cheers. I had change the pre tensioner too, horrible job

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Yeh access is awful.

[@anthonymcarevey8628]

How did you get at the bolt at the back of the tensioner? As on my t5 1.9td1 the engine mount is in the way and can't get at it at all

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

With great difficulty, lot's of wiggling about and a tool made up of spanners and parts. I think VW must have a special tool for it. If you change the tensioner it's also worth changing the Alternator clutch pulley as that fails and can shred the belt and destroy the Tensioner. Good luck.

[@oliverberridge7706]

Thank you for your video. When you replaced the alternator pulley, did you need to remove the alternator from the van, or can you do it in situ? Many thanks.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

We just undid the alternator so it could be moved slightly. It’s a right tricky process getting the nut on, VW must have a special tool. My belt shredded coz the alternator clutch pulley failed, apparently an issue, best check that or replace it anyway.

[@oliverberridge7706]

Yes mine has failed. When you replaced the alternator pulley, did you remove the alternator or can you replace in situ with the special tool.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

I’m not sure I’m afraid I took it to a garage for a new alternator clutch pulley. This video I made it was ok then the belt snapped again! Thought it was a poor belt but it was the clutch pulley jamming. Hope you get it sorted

[@TTPDrums]

Excellent video! My power steering has become quite juddery of late. I’m not confident enough to do this work, so it’s booked in with my local garage to have the aux belt and pulley changed. I’m now wondering if the serpentine part may be on its way out too? Can anyone advice whether it should be changed as well? My van is a 2013 2.0 bi turbo with air con. Just hit 100k. Thanks!

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Tim TPDRUMS Mine has always been a bit juddery at low speed and on full lock. When my belt snapped (twice) it turned out to be a faulty alternator clutch pulley so beware of that as it’s a weak point. Might be worth a new one of those if they are doing other stuff.

[@TTPDrums]

Lurgs thanks a lot! Is that different from the aux pulley? I’m getting that changed. I think I’ll ask them to change anything that’s showing any signs of play or wear I guess. 👍🏻

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Tim TPDRUMS I’m not sure. When my alternator clutch pulley jammed (it was intermittent) it shredded the belt and destroyed the belt tensioner!

[@TTPDrums]

Lurgs oh er! Mine is squeaking a bit now and I’m sure it’s wearing out. Guess it’s good I’m getting it done next week! Had an aux belt let go in an old Saab and it caused a bit of a chain reaction leading to the head gasket mashing itself up. Cost me a fortune.. Thanks a lot for the advice. I’ll make sure they change anything that moves and is wearing regarding the aux belt!! 😁

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Tim TPDRUMS Yeh it’s a poor design on the T5 as the rubber belt is quite close to the cam belt teeth! Yeh might be worth getting a price to change the alternator clutch pulley anyway. Good luck.

[@EIRONA]

To those who dive into changing this tensioner. Strongly look at the alternator clutch pulley as this is to blame 90% of the time. I went through 3 of these tensioners in as little as 2k miles. These tensioners are strong and don't generally fail so please look elsewhere before spending unnecessarily.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Yeh SPOT ON. I did mention this in my Description, it is a known weak spot. I shredded two belts before replacing the Alternator Clutch Pulley as well.

[@Drummer81able]

@@LurgsHowToGuides did you take the front apart and removed the alternator from the car,or did you change the pulley when in car?

[@RichardStefanits]

Good vid, however I think you mixed up the crankshaft and the aircon pulleys on your drawing.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Was so hard to find any info about it. This was the route of the belt for sure but yeh maybe the units I may have drawn in the wrong place.

[@davros0007]

Now CHECK THE ALTERNATOR FREEWHEELING CLUTCH! I would say on this car it is shagged. The “chugging” of the diesel motor whilst the alternator clutch is seized, means that the mass of the rotating alternator internals “jerks” the belt and this loads up the tensioner regularly. Hence the crazy jumping tensioner you see and the rattling noise - the new tensioner will soon snap off too!

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Definitely. I have that in the description. Known weak spot on these

[@TheMatthooks]

Hi. Which engine do you have fitted? Just looking at replacing the alternator on mine. It's the 2.5 and doesn't look like quite as much space to access stuff under the bonnet.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Hi. Mine is a 2.0 Diesel Turbo 140hp with Air Con. Access is never great but if you can get underneath and just figure out what's in the way. That model is different to mine but I wish you good luck.

[@karatbem608]

salut peut tu meenvoyer la ref de la courroie d'accessoire d u vw t5 que ta changer

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

I did this 5 years ago so not sure now. Just ask a VW Dealer and tell them what model you have and they should get you the correct one. Also make sure to check Alternator clutch pulley unit as this can sieze intermittently and cause the belt to snap. Good luck

[@thapelomotswane7159]

Is your belt size the same as on my wvt5 1.9 tdi

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Not sure I'm afraid, I would expect they are different

[@julespepper6691]

How do you get the tension off the tensioner after the pin has been take out ?

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

jules pepper Should be able to get a spanner on it and move it

[@RyanL467]

Hi I think I have the same problem only I haven't lost my power steering yet! I do however keep getting a squealing noise when I turn my steering! Did you have this at all before your steeering failed? Thanks

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

RyanL467 That means your belt has stretched and the tensioner is unable to take up the slack. Get it swapped as soon as you can. If the belt fails or gets jammed it can get into the cambelt teeth and that is bad news. Good luck. Make sure they test the alternator clutch pulley as mine failed which is also bad news and caused my belt to shred.

[@kernowdrewsta]

Hi, thank you for the video, very good. Did you replace the pulley bolt, or use the existing one? Mine sheared, just can't get the new one to go in the hole!

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Oh dear. We used existing bolt but access is very difficult

[@kernowdrewsta]

I did use the original bolt for the new tensioner but it sheered off leaving me to find the tensioner in the road! My plan tomorrow is threaded bar and x2 nuts. That should give me extra length on the nut end for a spanner... Your video is great. All thanks to people like you, helping people like us!!

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Glad to help. Worth replacing the alternator clutch pulley as apparently they randomly seize and that's what causes the belt to shred and the tensioner to disintegrate. Hope it all goes well.

[@kernowdrewsta]

@@LurgsHowToGuides thanks for the advice

[@MizunoIronMan]

Lost power steering on my VW5 yesterday, garage have said ac unit has siezed causing belt to shred. Looks like it’s going to be expensive !

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Let's hope the shredded belt hasn't got into the cambelt teeth as that is very close. On mine it was the alternator clutch pulley that FAILED, it's a weak spot so if I was you I would definitely get them to change that as well. It could have been that seizing. I changed my belt and it snapped again due to the alternator clutch pulley.

[@julespepper6691]

MizunoIronMan what ha e you been quoted ?? Mine just done the same

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

jules pepper I changed the belt and tensioner myself but the alternator clutch pulley was done by a friend at a garage. Shouldn't be a big cost if there's been no damage.

[@julespepper6691]

Lurgs thanks mate I will have a look tomorrow, give me an old engine with a fan belt things used to be so easy , how do you get the tension off the pulley when the pin has been taken out ??

[@MizunoIronMan]

jules pepper £1000.00 if damaged condenser . They’ve bypassed the ac unit for now , new alternator pulley and belt cane to just under £200. Will look at replacing the AC unit possibly in the summer , or just have windows open 😀

[@mphogiftrabase7065]

What brand is the tensioner

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Can’t remember, I’m sure I got it from a VW dealer

[@e36racer44]

I’m trying to do my T6 atm The engine mount and bolt is obstructing the hole to access bolt for tensioner

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

It's a pain to get to. If the tensioner has failed then definitely check or swap the alternator clutch pulley. On mine this was failing intermittently and causing the belt and tensioner to fail.

[@johneisen6341]

What size is the tensioner bolt?

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Sorry I cannot remember. It was so hard to remove it and try and film. I've checked original footage again and I can't tell I'm afraid. It's a horrible job!

[@johneisen6341]

@@LurgsHowToGuides yes it was I managed to do it. It was a 13mm bolt holding the tensioner from the back.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

@@johneisen6341 Great news, keep an eye on the alternator clutch pulley unit as these are prone to seize and this can shred the belt.

[@johneisen6341]

@@LurgsHowToGuides yep that happened to me last year. But managed to damage the new belt and tensioner I put on last year. Seems all good now 👍

[@arnolddemaagd8678]

Awesome, Thank You

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Thanks. Glad it was useful. Also worth replacing the alternator clutch pulley as this is what randomly failed on mine and shredded the belt and destroyed the serpentine tensioner

[@pippashaw8224]

It may be a good idea to clean your battery post and terminals to

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Yes good idea. Mine appear corroded but that is actually a special compound to protect the terminals, hard to see on the Video.

[@bruceaylward2126]

No explanation how to remove the tensioner how it's held in place what holds it place etc, not bad if you only want to replace the belt

[@jasminadinic5299]

I had the same problem on audi q5. Aluminium snapped. Piece of crap. Love my toyota. No more audi. Finished with it.

[@nickocarroll5545]

A lose belt like that can make it way under the timing belt ..becareful

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

nick o carroll Yeh poor design as the cam belt is right near the serpentine belt, not great!

[@Rich-zw8fj]

Such a shame that the crucial images of the tensioner pulley fixing bolt are so unclear. Also the pulley diagram doesn't include the alternator 🥴

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

It’s nigh on impossible to do it and film it, pig of a job

[@Rich-zw8fj]

​@@LurgsHowToGuidesyes, I've dropped down the AC with the 3 bolts but still struggle to even get a spanner on the pig bolt. When I do it literally won't move enough to re adjust spanner position. Wondering if a ratchet spanner may help?

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

@@Rich-zw8fj we made up some weird spanner to get up there. VW must have a special tool for it

[@guntherdrawert2041]

You don't show how to get outta bolt that holds the belt tentioner ....the only bolt that's goes behind

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Sorry it’s so tight in there was impossible to do it and film. It’s a nightmare job

[@jeanybeany7951]

Not such a bright idea to go under a vehicle, even partially, when it is only supported by a hydraulic jack that could fail at any time.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Check the video I’ve got wooden blocks underneath the front wheel! I would never just trust a Jack!

[@christucker282]

🤣🤣 jeany beary. If u seen half the things that goes on at a banger racing track u would have kittens. Haha thanks for the video guys. Literally doing mine now and this has saved me alot of headache finding the tensioner bolt.

[@johnc2821]

A how to video with hardly any how to

[@iuliannastase9786]

te rog poti sa imi trimiti te rog o schema cu tabloul electri acol unde sunt sigurantele ce rol au fiecare.adresa mea de email [e-mail].

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

I do not have a diagram of that. There are two fuse boxes, one inside under the Gear Lever and another in the Engine Bay. Good luck. Try this website for help > www.vwt4forum.co.uk Nu am o diagramă despre asta. Există două cutii de siguranțe, una înăuntru sub maneta de transmisie și altul în locașul motorului. Mult noroc. Încercați acest site pentru ajutor> www.vwt4forum.co.uk

[@iuliannastase9786]

thanks for help

[@Drummer81able]

The bolt is a nightmare,and I can't get a grip on how you godt your hand up there. It's impossible.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Yep it’s really tricky to get a socket on it. There must be a special VW tool

[@Drummer81able]

​@@LurgsHowToGuides I gave up today. I even went to the point I took the front a part. Im pretty confident in repairing cars and heavy machinery,but I have promised myself I will never do any engine work on this car again. Never.😅 VW deserves a 0 point on the tentioner solution. I will book a garage to do this shitjob, I can't get my hand up there too screw it back on,just take it a part.😂