[Vwdiesel] Banana Rabbit--It gets worse!!

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/1/2011 10:35:20 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
eriklane at gmail.com writes:

> >Check the tensioner whilst you are there by spinning it. If a good spin,
> >and
> >no rumble then leave this too...
> >
> >
> I disagree with this one. I used to just check the timing belt tensioner 
> and
> only replace it when it sounded/felt like it had a bad bearing, but one 
> time
> after seeming perfect in every respect it failed ~1-200 miles after
> replacing the belt. That cost me quite a bit in getting the head rebuilt,
> new head gasket, and a lot of time in towing and fixing it. I replace the
> tensioners every single time now. They only cost $16 and take about that
> much worth in time just to replace later if you need to.
> 
> 

  A while back there was a discussion as to which would last longer, the 
old, 
well built tensioner, or a new one of unknown quality.
  I think I've replaced one tensioner on my Rabbit/Dasher diesels over the 
years, maybe two.  The first was on my Rabbit for the purpose of safety. 
At the next belt change I had to compare them to see which actually sounded 

better.  (the old one was still just fine really).  That was over 20 years 
ago and
at least 50K miles or more (forget what it has on it now) and I'm still 
running 
that "new" tensioner.  YMMV of course.
    Loren