Hi All,
I am doing a TB and can’t seem to get the new style tensioner to get shorter. It seems like it is frozen extended, however it will rotate just not go back in.
Also should I be replacing this and the rollers, the bearings feel perfect, tight and well lubed, ie. in perfect condition. The engine has 48K on it and I have it apart due to sludge, so I am going to through a belt at it.
Thanks Joe

 

Tensioner should fit fine. I am assuming that you read the directions and didn't pull the retaining pin out of the tensoiner until you installed it. Otherwise it wont fit.

While you are in there you might as well change the water pump and front cams as well as the rollers.

 

To clerify, engine has 48k (1.8T) on it and I am replacing the TB. It already has the updated parts on it(with 48k on them). I need to shorten the tensioner so that I can put the pin back in and then install the TB.
Thanks againl,
Joe

 

I think he is trying to use the existing tensioner.

The tensioner should be replaced along with the t-belt, and water pump impellar.

 

replace the tensioner.. but if you were going to reuse it put it in a vise and compress it SLOWLY until you can reinsert the pin. the tensioner is oil dampened so if you compress it to fast you will damage it and it wont hold tension. but your replacing it anyway right? the new one will come already compressed and ready to install. i think they are about $200

 

I thought they were like 70-80, but it def. needs replaced.

 

Tensioner is cheap.

Just get the whole kit from ECS for 260 complete with everything you need.

BTW, it is usually the tensioner that fails on the A4, not the belt.