[Vwdiesel] Timing belt tensioner

[mark shepherd]

I'm  inclined to say check it, and if it feels good, then why change it? If 
buying a modern piece of trash condems you to annual renewal, then what if 
you install a relatively poor example, should you check it every 6 months? 
Not sure how you recognise an old one though?
I can't help feeling if your annual service replaces so much ,then it gets 
to the point  where you nolonger have  a reliable old car but a modern car 
built in an old style... Or something like that.
I guess its my hope that hardware will wear out rather than suddenly fail. 
Should we replace headgaskets  every few years,  because they often fail 
catastrophically, bursting the rad pipe, and discharging water rapidly 
leading to warping risk?

Mark

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Iain Hunter" <sagspottery at tiscali.co.uk>
To: "VWfans" <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 9:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Timing belt tensioner


>
> That's what I thought. Everyone seems to be saying the same and although 
> the
> old one looks OK and the bearing seems smooth enough, it's not worth the
> risk really, is it?
> The pump is currently being tested!
> I found a friend of a friend that is apparently an expert on European
> injection pumps, which is always a bonus. It's just taking a bit more time
> that's all.
>
>
> Iain.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Shalyn Shourds" <sshourds at flash.net>
> To: <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:41 AM
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Timing belt tensioner
>
>
>>I lost a TDI head to a blown tensioner.  Supposedly, it had been
>> replaced about 15,000 mi earlier.  Not sure if it was or not.  Had VW
>> stamped on it and looked proper, but the tab sticks out to tension it
>> against its internal spring fatigued and broke off.  At that kind of
>> life cycle, I'll be buying a new one every time.
>>
>>
>>
>> -Shalyn
>>
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>
>
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