which tensioner? *inc alternator tensioner thing*

[paultownsend]

looking at gsf/euro/etka, there are 2 different cam belt tensioners for the abf 16v.  early and late. the latter is double in price!
is one a fixed tensioner, and the other an auto tensioner?

are they interchangable?

[Len]

Best advise around here has always been to use the VAG part and not any of the Euro/GSF ones.

So your best bet is to ring your nearest main dealer and tell em your reg no and they will give you the correct part!

[2pt. slo]

Best advise around here has always been to use the VAG part and not any of the Euro/GSF ones.

So your best bet is to ring your nearest main dealer and tell em your reg no and they will give you the correct part!

i will second this.   As i do not know much about the ABF lump because we didnt get them here in the States, but with the 2.0 aba motor there are also 2 types of tensioners.  the early tensioners were not self adjusting and the later ones self adjusted.  we have found that the later self adjusting tensioners tend to fail quite easily and we are always advised to use the older style one.  Again i am unsure if this is the same with the ABF but i thought i would throw that bit of info your way. 

[paultownsend]

im sure the aba/abf are the same(ish) engines for different markets. i get discount at parkway vw, so suppose il pump for that. il try an earlier one

[Mikester]

The tensioner should come in the kit with the correct belt for your engine anyways?

[danny_p]

imo use the part listed for th engine.  if a critical part fails before it's soposed to causeing other damage it gets sent back with an invoice for the damage it caused.   

16v's like the right belt tension springloaded tesnioner keep it correct

[rubjonny]

the stud on the side of the head for it is a different size, so to swap between them you need to remove the stud and swap to the early/late type.  I've never heard of the spring tensioners failing early, when VAG items were used at least.  Given the choice I'd go with the spring loaded one, takes all the guess work out of it. That being said I've used the manual tensioners on several 16vs without any problems

[paultownsend]

poop. cam, alt and p/s belts & auto tensioner. £80 from vw!

[paultownsend]

and what about the alternator belt tensionor thingy thats attatched to the engine bracket? is it easily removed?  as im wanting to powdercoat the barcket

[Len]

poop. cam, alt and p/s belts & auto tensioner. £80 from vw!

That not bad price!

Gonna have to do that on mine soon!