part identification, help me please!!!

[wrobstar21]

Ok here we go.

I have a 1996 N 16v gti. All numbers and paperwork say its an ABF engine, which i believe all 16v gtis have.

My problem is that i have to replace the tensioner wheel for the ribbed belt. My car (as i found out yesterday) has air con, although it doesn't work. The trouble is that when i have been to parts places they look up the part on the computer and it identifies a different wheel. Looks kind of similar but is plastic and about 5mm smaller. Its not right as it has a smaller bolt for the middle of the bearing in the pulley. It also has a different method of tensioning. Its not sprung at all and seems to be on a pivoting bolt and you adjust it by winding down a long bolt with a locking nut on it.

i have ETOS and i couldn't find any sign of MY part on there at all. The cars history doesnt show any engine swaps and i cant find info on any possible engine variations etc..

Anyone experienced similar on their car or offer any advice?

Rob



The haines manual doesnt even seem to detail my tensioning system anyway so im a bit stuck.

[wrobstar21]

Great, apparently vw have discontinued this part and my vw dealer has done a nationwide search for one and nothing!

Not many of my cars were made with air con apparently (which sounds like bollocks to me), which is why it was discontinued.

Bloody piece of crap car!

 

[archie837]

ROB WARD!!!! hahahhahhaah.!!!!

[wrobstar21]

yep, thats me!

[rubjonny]

I dont recognise the setup you mention, doesnt sound factory at all. I wonder if you have a dealer fit a/c system rather than a proper factory fit one?  have you got any pictures to help us ID it?  if you want to keep the a/c you should be able to fit the proper factory alternator bracket and spring loaded tensioner arm, though you may have to change the a/c compressor for a genuine VAG one as it may not fit with the oem alternator brackety

if you arnt bothered about the a/c you could convert to the earlier spring loaded alternator setup, you can use one from any 1.8-2.0 8v mk3.  you'll need the alternator, spring and the bracket under it, plus the waterpump pulley and belt.  swap all this onto the abf and bobs your uncle!

[Wayne]

I dont recognise the setup you mention, doesnt sound factory at all. I wonder if you have a dealer fit a/c system rather than a proper factory fit one?  have you got any pictures to help us ID it?  if you want to keep the a/c you should be able to fit the proper factory alternator bracket and spring loaded tensioner arm, though you may have to change the a/c compressor for a genuine VAG one as it may not fit with the oem alternator brackety

if you arnt bothered about the a/c you could convert to the earlier spring loaded alternator setup, you can use one from any 1.8-2.0 8v mk3.  you'll need the alternator, spring and the bracket under it, plus the waterpump pulley and belt.  swap all this onto the abf and bobs your uncle!

Judging by the other threads it is all sorted now 

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=163524.0

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=163508.0

[wrobstar21]

It is indeed sorted now thank god, i was getting really pissed off.

seemed like id bought a weird one off 16v as no-one seemed to have similar 

its good to know though. the engineer got hold of the exact bearing for the part from a number stamped on the side of all bearings (apparently) and its good as new.

Took me all of 10 minutes to fix once i got the bloody part!!!

I think i would have changed to the other set up as u said if worst had come to worst!

Now i just got 4 main things to do to her and ill be happy!!!