Alternator clutch / tensioner noise

[Johnno]

Hey guys, yet another question.

My tensioner on my aux belt is jumping around like mad on idle, a slight rev and it goes. It feels pretty weak when I put a 16mm spanner on the release.

Read here about the alternator clutch, so I removed belt and put a screw driver between the fans in unit, but the pulley won't go either way, it's
Locked with the fans.

Usually I would think this was ok, but can anyone shed some light on this? I think the tensioner is at fault being too weak. But I never know with this German engineering lol.

Johnno

[YMZ]

The alternator pulley on all A4-and-later TDIs is supposed to be a one-way (so-called "clutched") unit that turns the alternator when turned clockwise, and lets the alternator "slip" ahead when turned counter-clockwise... Yours sounds like a classic case of one that has locked up... yes, it will cause the tensioner to bounce around like crazy... (you need special splined tools to remove the pulley from the alternator shaft...)

All the best,

Yuri

[Johnno]

Won't a hammer do?

It's a golf does it run the same system? Hate these cars!

[Ol'Rattler]

Originally Posted by Johnno

Won't a hammer do?

About as well as using a hammer to remove the radio. If you have a big enough hammer and swing it long enough and hard enough, you can remove anything with it.

The tool Is 2 pieces. one part holds the alternator shaft while the other part spins the center part of the pulley off of the alternator shaft.

[Seatman]

Just send your golf up to me bud, I like them very much

[Johnno]

I have been a technician on trucks all my life and I've never come across so much bollocs on one car.

A sledge will do. Through the roof.

Anyway is there a aftermarket fitting with no clutch in?

[Ol'Rattler]

Originally Posted by Johnno

I have been a technician on trucks all my life and I've never come across so much bollocs on one car.

A sledge will do. Through the roof.

Anyway is there a aftermarket fitting with no clutch in?

You could use a gasser pulley. But then you would be right back were you are now because your pulley is acting exactly like a solid gasser pulley does. The belt would still be jumping around at idle, and over time destroying the tensioner.

The clutched pulley is there for an extremely valid reason on TDI's.