alternator belt on abf

[rubjonny]

Yes etka shows you 2 different setups, its showing you the type with the big spring underneath and the type with the seperate tensioner wheel.

mk3 8vs without A/C up to around 95ish use the type with the big spring, after that they switched to the self-tensioning setup with the extra tensioning wheel. But early 8vs with A/C also used the setup with the seperate tensioner wheel.  I've seen loads of later MK3s & Passats without A/C in the scrappy using the type with the self tensioning wheel, and robed bits off them.

I have never seen an ABF fitted with the spring type as std, regardless of the year.  I'm pretty certain that no matter how old the ABF, it always has the setup with the self-tensioning wheel.  All the abfs I've worked on have anyway, no matter if they had A/C or not from the factory.

Regardless of what was fitted, what I said works. I know because I have fitted 2 A/C equipped ABF engfines and converted to non-A/C simply by swapping the waterpump pulley and alternator belt. Plus I have advised loads of other people to do the same with success

96 8v, non-a/c, seperate tensioner wheel:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Golf-GTi-96-2-0-8v-engine_W0QQitemZ250515219781

early 2e engine, non-a/c, spring tensioner:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-GOLF-GTI-2-0-8V-ENGINE-110-000-2E-ENGINE-AND-ECU_W0QQitemZ200393231319

MK3 ABF, non-a/c, seperate tensioner wheel:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=108415.0

and another:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=102692.0

and another:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=85291.0

[Diamond Hell]

I have never seen an ABF fitted with the spring type as std, regardless of the year.  I'm pretty certain that no matter how old the ABF, it always has the setup with the self-tensioning wheel. 

Just because you haven't seen it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist... and you seem to have posted a link to various examples of exactly that set up, afterwards you wierdo.

As I said, I have a 'big spring' set up, taken from a completely stock M plate non-a/c ABF.  It's been a while since I took it off the motor, but I seem to recall it uses a single, ribbed belt, rather than the ribbed belt, plus nasty v-belt on the power steering pump.

It may still be cheaper to pull the mounting set up off a 2E in a yard than going to buy a pulley from VAG, so I'm going to stand by my original advice.

Fact is we're both right in this case and there are probably more than two ways of solving this issue anyway. oh and the change on the 8V is probably from 2E to one of the other engine codes.

[rubjonny]

all 3 abfs I have linked to are using the separate tensioner setup, i just made a typo in the post. doh.

I was only pointing out there is an easier & cheaper way. It was you that was doubting me, so I had to mess about to proove i wasnt talking rubbish. As I said I'm pretty certain all abfs have the seperate tensioner, not 100% positive.

A waterpump pulley on its own from the scrappy is cheaper than a complete alternator setup, which you would still need the waterpump pulley with by the way.

If you want you could get it new from vag, not that expensive either:
028 121 031 K - 11.29+VAT

I'm pretty certain the early setup never ran the PAS pump off the same ribbed belt either. Non of the setups I have seen do. but I'm not 100% sure that it has never happened.

edit: i seem to remember danny saying about modifying it to run off the ribbed belt, this would be pretty handy as then we can bin the v belts altogether...

edit2: oh and just to add, given the choice between the 2 setups I'd go for the spring loaded type as no tensioner to fail and gives a bit more clearance.

[danny_p]

vag allways user that nasty v belt as standard,  fecking thing. 

tho i have a spectial reserve of hate for the vag pas pump.  i just don't like it at all

[richard s]

got one earlier and  the only breakers that had one were rip off merchants £15 for a pulley and second hand v/belt i pointed out it was £10 plus vat new so he said £10 with belt so i left belt and offered him £5 he wasnt happy but he accepted it
i also know what you mean about the alt bracket with the big spring now and if i find one in another breakers i will probably change set ups
cheers guys

[richard s]

for correct fitting of the belt  on the waterpump pulley does the belt go round the bottom or over the top
Cheers

[rubjonny]

the ribbed bit faces the waterpump pulley, so the belt goes round the outside of the crank, waterpump and alternator. The tensioner wheel pushes against the back of the belt.

bit of a rubbish pic, hope its of some use:

[richard s]

thats the way i did it but the 976mm belt wasnt long enough and i thought you had said the belts were 976 and 8?? but i have now checked back and see that i need the belt that i had in the first place 

[rubjonny]

yeah its
92-95 = 976mm
96-97 = 1038mm

I might haver the longer one spare, will check.  I bought the wrong one for my ABF originally, but I think liek you I bought the one that was too short! I'll check.

[richard s]

ive still got my receipt so i will be going into euro parts on sat for yet another replacement