Accessory Belt Tensioner

[Ross_18]

Hey, Hopefully someone could give me some advice!

Basically my sistesrs fella broke down on the motorway yesterday and the tensioner pully burnt out and cause the belt to obviously fall off. I had it jacked up before, removed the old belt and out popped the pulley, and also the actual tensioner housing, now for the life of me I cannot get the tensioner back on, I've got the engine supported by a jack all the way up so i can at least access it from the top. its held on by a nylon like washer and a same sized metal washer with a "star drive" cut out which holds the tensioner in place.

Any advice would help, iis virtually impossible to be able to set the tensioner in place, push it with the spring force against you and somehow put the securing washer on without it all twanging apart. is there a special tool? and even just trying to put the metal washer on to secure it without the actual tensioner there it doesnt even seem to click into place just falls off!!

Much appreciated if anyone could help!

p.s. Im also a fiesta zetec s owner :D

[artscot79]

Hey, Hopefully someone could give me some advice!

Basically my sistesrs fella broke down on the motorway yesterday and the tensioner pully burnt out and cause the belt to obviously fall off. I had it jacked up before, removed the old belt and out popped the pulley, and also the actual tensioner housing, now for the life of me I cannot get the tensioner back on, I've got the engine supported by a jack all the way up so i can at least access it from the top. its held on by a nylon like washer and a same sized metal washer with a "star drive" cut out which holds the tensioner in place.

Any advice would help, iis virtually impossible to be able to set the tensioner in place, push it with the spring force against you and somehow put the securing washer on without it all twanging apart. is there a special tool? and even just trying to put the metal washer on to secure it without the actual tensioner there it doesnt even seem to click into place just falls off!!

Much appreciated if anyone could help!

p.s. Im also a fiesta zetec s owner

if were talking about the timing belt tensioner then its likely the valves are smashed ide try turning the engine over by hand before i even started to fit the tensioner i remember reading there is a special tool for doing the belt locking the cam and for the tensioner as well they used to have a securing pin to keep the tension on it so you simply fitted it then put the bolt on then released the pin

[Ross_18]

if were talking about the timing belt tensioner then its likely the valves are smashed ide try turning the engine over by hand before i even started to fit the tensioner i remember reading there is a special tool for doing the belt locking the cam and for the tensioner as well they used to have a securing pin to keep the tension on it so you simply fitted it then put the bolt on then released the pin

Thanks for the reply but it said in the title "accessory belt tensioner"

[artscot79]

Thanks for the reply but it said in the title "accessory belt tensioner"

sorry mate never noticed Place a ratchet with no socket on it in the square hole that is in the lug at the far end of the tensioner.

Turn the ratchet counterclockwise and release the tension then slide the serpentine belt off the tensioner pulley.

Slowly release the tensioner and remove the ratchet.

Locate the bolt in the tensioner arm on the end away from the pulley. This is the mounting bolt and it threads into the engine block

Remove the tensioner mounting bolt using a socket and ratchet.

Pull the tensioner straight off the engine. Leave the belt laying across the pulleys to allow for an easier reinstall later.

replacement is the reverse you put the tensioner on as is so you get the bolt on now using the ratchet end in the hole try to get it back up if it wont go tightening the bolt will move the tensioner in that direction

[Ross_18]

thats a different engine. thanks anyway

[stef123]

thats a different engine. thanks anyway

maybe ive missed something but..what car? what year and what engine?

[Ross_18]

maybe ive missed something but..what car? what year and what engine?

my mistake, its a 2000 focus 1.8 tdci 90ps

[stef123]

my mistake, its a 2000 focus 1.8 tdci 90ps

actually, since this post is in the focus section...maybe that should have indicated that the car in question was a focus

anyway...

im a little confused with the situation, is there any chance you could post a couple of pics up for us? i thought the tensioner was held in place on these with 3 nuts.

cheers

stef

[rog99]

I agree. From the Haynes manual it says:

Para 12. "Unscrew the 3 tensioner mounting bolts and remove the tensioner from the engine"

Para 14. "The tensioner is not a serviceable component - if it has failed...a new unit must be fitted".