Chung
October 23rd, 2010, 21:42
I am trying to do a little preventative maintenance on my car by replacing the alternator. You are going to laugh but I seem to be stuck at the accessory belt removal.
How do you release the tensioner so that you can remove the belt?
Thanks
Aronis
October 24th, 2010, 22:40
You put a wrench on the nut at the base of the tensioner and swing it into the 'loose' position.
You will then see a spot to slip a pin in to hold it in that position. It's a very similar procedure for the various Audi engine configurations.
I too was looking at the DIY alternator replacement but I was still covered under the warrantee.
Are you doing it from below or putting the engine in the 'Service Position?'
Chung
October 24th, 2010, 22:52
I was going to do it from below. I have changed a few alternators before but with the limited visability I couldn't completely see how the mechanism worked so we just aborted (I didn't want to break anything by putting too much pressure on the wrong part). Here is my ghetto drawing of the tensioner with the parts I saw. I feel like the top "bolt" like piece should release the tension but the physics doesn't make sense to me.
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