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Tue May 31, 2005 8:19 am

I recently replaced the accessory belt on my 2.5l 93 ev due to a malfunctioning ac compressor clutch. After only a few hundred miles, I hear a noise and realize the new belt is all but a few threads and broke shortly after.

All the pulleys spin and none look damaged except the upper plastic idler pulley feels as if the tracking grooves are rough. Could this be the culprit, or was this my mistake, a bad belt, or something else?

If it is the idler, is this an easy repair as I have no garage space at the moment. the manual shows having to prop the motor up a bit to get access... or maybe that's my inability to read the manual completely.

David

Tue May 31, 2005 9:10 am

i bet u the idler pully is shot . if it's like my 99 .there are 3 mounting bolts . :) just remember to remove the belt first . :lol:

Tue May 31, 2005 10:32 am

The tracking grooves on the pulley are most likely rough because the bearing is shot. I'll bet the pulley has been intermittently locking.

Tue May 31, 2005 10:42 am

ok, but can I replace this pulley or should I take it to a mechanic? Its seems quite dificult just to get my hand up there to feel it.

Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am

DaveM wrote: ok, but can I replace this pulley or should I take it to a mechanic? Its seems quite dificult just to get my hand up there to feel it.

That depends on your mechanical skill level and amount of patience. It's a bearski to get to. As luck would have it, I've got my Eurovan Bentleys out on loan right now. I think it's three 13mm nuts holding the plate on if I recall. I may be confusing the idler with the tensioner. Pop off the centre cover on the pulley. If there's a 6mm Allen under there, it may just be that simple.
I've been up to my tookus in Mercedes around here the last few months, and I just can't remember offhand. Someone needs to post the Bentley exploded view.
In any case, access is more difficult than the actual procedure.

Tue May 31, 2005 11:38 am

My bently shows something about propping the motor up to get access but in the confusion that I looked on Sunday, I may have been reading incorrectly. I'll go back and read closer tonight. Is there any better way to get to it other than up from beneath? And where should I order it from? My local guy only has part numbers so some times he gets in the wrong parts.

Tue May 31, 2005 12:32 pm

DaveM wrote: My bently shows something about propping the motor up to get access but in the confusion that I looked on Sunday, I may have been reading incorrectly. I'll go back and read closer tonight. Is there any better way to get to it other than up from beneath? And where should I order it from? My local guy only has part numbers so some times he gets in the wrong parts.

I'd just order it from VW or Audi. As I recall, they're not outrageous, and that way you'll get the right one.