New belt or belt and spring loaded tensioner

[johny d]

Hi folks, my 05 gt tdi has just started squealing and chirping like a goodun, both under load and when idling.  The mobile mechanic i normally use stated that it would be the drive belt (as even i suspected).  He said i would need the spring loaded tensioner too but could it not just be a worn belt therefore only changing the belt?

He hasn't seen the car squealing but will have plenty of experience of this problem including having just changed the very same on the father in laws A6.

The belts are cheap enough yet the tensioner adds a fair whack on.  The car has done in excess of 100k.

Any similar experiences...??

[johny d]

well sadly no replies......didn't think it was that much of a difficult question. 

Anyhow i thought i'd share with you that it wasn't the tensioner or belt it was in fact the alternator pulley which had come away from the alternator by almost 10mm....hopefully this won't have damaged the alternator itself!!!!