Hi.

Focus Mk1, 1.6, Zetec, 51 plate, with aircon and power steering.

Squeak coming from the auxiliary (serpentine) belt – I think it’s the tensioner. The belt itself is in good condition (about 2 years old) and the tension is good.

When I tried to release the tension (to take off the belt) the nut at the centre of the tensioner turned – but the tensioner didn’t! In fact the nut is easy to turn in either direction but appears to have no effect.

As seen in the photo, there is a washer around the nut – the washer is very loose and turns easily:

http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/p.../Tensioner.jpg

Can anyone suggest what’s going on?

If I can’t release the tension, I would first have to cut the belt. Even then I’m not sure how to remove the tensioner; I can see 3 bolts behind but not sure if that’s all there is to deal with. Advice welcomed.

Here is picture of what I think the whole unit looks like:

http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/p...wtensioner.jpg

Also, any views on the quality of INA (as seen on eBay) products if using instead of Ford replacement?

Cheers

Steve

 

I’m posting this reply to my own post as I’ve sorted the problem and someone with the same problem may find this in the future.

The 17mm bolt in the centre of the tensioner pulley wheel
http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/p.../Tensioner.jpg
was simply not screwed in enough. Simple as that! I’d guess it had been that way for some time.

That’s why the washer around it was loose and the tensioner wouldn’t operate. I turned the bolt several turns anticlockwise (left-hand thread). When it was fully tightened, further pressure released the tensioner and of course the washer wasn’t loose any more.


The direction of the belt makes the tensioner pulley turn clockwise – which will tend to loosen the bolt. So I’m going to be checking the bolt regularly.

On my car the tensioner is attched to the power steering pump, making removal of the tensioner a rotten job. But there you go.