I have a 2001 A4 quattro 1.8T. Is it possible to remove the serpentine tensioner without removing part of the front end of the car? I can see the top three bolts will be easy but im not sure if there is a larger bolt holding it in where it pivots. It is making all kinds of noise and needs to be replaced. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

It is only held in with those three bolts, you should be able to pull it out from the top.

 

The bearings in the pulley on my serpentine tensioner went bad a while back. Rather than replace the entire tensioner assembly, I simply replaced the pulley. There is a plastic cap on the front of the pulley remove this and you'll see a T40 bolt in the center. Remove the bolt and the pulley/bearing comes off. Of course Audi won't sell just the pulley, but you go down to your local parts store and pick up a Gates #38006 or Dayco #89007. Cost should be ~$20. Bolt it on and go.

 

I'm not sure if just replacing just the pulley will stop the constant shaking the tensioner does. It doesn't squeal at all it just shakes badly when it's in gear and starts squeaking. It does this sometimes when it's just idling but always when put into gear. When I apply pressure on the tensioner with a tool it will stop shaking and squeaking.

 

the entire tensioner is cheap ($40?, and I just did mine without removing anything) plus you are also replacing the spring loading mechanism, as well as the pulley. easy to do with front end on. You can also replace the AC tensioner without removing anything. I did both on my 2000 1.8 and still have noise so it must be my PS pump which I will just wait to fail before doing anymore about noise up there.

 

The tensioner for the 1.8 must be very different from the 2.8. The replacements I looked at were around $100 when I did mine.

 

^I paid $20 for mine when bundled with a TB kit from Blauparts.

(It may have been on sale as well..)

 

They are, 1.8t tensioners are tiny in comparison. There's probably more demand for them too, lowering the price even more.

 

Can a 3.0 tensioner go into a 2.8? Need car asap but part won't be here till Tuesday and got a buddy that has same car but it's a 3.0.

 

Unfortunately it looks like the only other engine the 2.8 30v tensioner works on is the 2.7tt engine