Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Boatboy on 12 April 2010, 19:24:21

Title: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Boatboy on 12 April 2010, 19:24:21
For a few days I have been thinking that the SAI was making a noise after start up, then stopping as it does. However, just changed my ATF today and started up with the bonnet open, and the noise 'seems' to be coming from the aux tensioner.

As I had my hands full with ATF and it didn't sound imminently terminal I did not immediately investigate further, but as the engine warmed the noise went away.

Is that a normal tensioner symptom, and how quickly do they self destruct once they start to whine as I need to juggle some priorities around.

I will probably slip the belt off in the morning and start from cold to see if that eliminates it, and if so I see there is an option of buying just the pulley so I'll give that a go.

Steve

Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: TheBoy on 12 April 2010, 19:32:57
You can buy just the pulley, though dealer will try to tell you otherwise. Hopefully, someone will have a part no
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Entwood on 12 April 2010, 19:39:22
It's a while back  ....  22/03/08 !!

But the part number then was 09157962 - 44L3 Pulley - £23.05 (+vat)

HTH
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Lazydocker on 12 April 2010, 21:22:47
Or you may be able to get away with re-packing the bearings with grease. Did mine today whilst changing the cam belt :y :y
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: PxMetro on 12 April 2010, 21:39:36
Definitely sounds like dry bearings in the tensioner pulley. Either re-pack the bearings, or change the pulley as suggested as I have seen the result of one of these after self distructing, which will leave you some what stranded. :y
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: dbug on 12 April 2010, 21:53:44
Mine self destructed - I was lucky, very little damage other than a melted tensioner pulley and a shredded aux belt and a lot of smoke together with the acrid smell of burning rubber.  Plus lots of light flashing from other drivers (as if I hadn't noticed the smell and smoke!!)  Took me ages to get all the bits of belt removed!!
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: coastie123 on 12 April 2010, 22:27:59
Quote
Is that a normal tensioner symptom, and how quickly do they self destruct once they start to whine

sorry to jump in on this post but I have a whine on my 2.5 v6, when is it noticeable as I'm trying to rule out what mine is!!!

Regards

Shaun
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Boatboy on 12 April 2010, 22:38:30
Mine is noticeable from a cold start and only lasts a minute of two, which is why I first thought it was the SAI system.

I've got a feeling the bearing was packed with grease by the Bloke from Stoke when he was down a few months back, so if it's grumbling again It's time for a new one.

Thanks for the info on part No etc. Anyone know what torque it should be done up too as I cant find it mentioned in Haynes - just realised it might be in useful info section on here so off there now :y

Steve
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Entwood on 12 April 2010, 22:42:30
When I changed mine in the Halfords Car Park in Southampton I just went for "tight enough" and its been that way ever since !! Had to drive to Halfords from Picador to buy spanners to fit !! - We were in the New Forest on holiday at the time ... Picador were very helpful and even gave me trade price on ABS .. :)
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: CyNick on 13 April 2010, 00:11:55
Quote
Mine self destructed - I was lucky, very little damage other than a melted tensioner pulley and a shredded aux belt and a lot of smoke together with the acrid smell of burnung rubber.  Plus lots of light flashing from other drivers (as if I hadn't noticed the smell and smoke!!)  Took me ages to get all the bits of belt removed!!

Mine went into the cambelt and caused it to jump 3 teeth.. a lucky escape!!

Get it fixed  ;)
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: feeutfo on 13 April 2010, 07:27:33
re greased mine last week, the seals come out very easily, small electricians screwdriver or similar "poke in small spaces and hook out" type impliment, in the inside edge of the seal and it just pops off. Poke some grease in, repeat both sides, re torque setting, if you get enough leverage on it to get the belt back on then that will be tight enough imo.

Sai, "just unplugg and forget about it" i believe is the normal recommended response. Never touched it on my old 2.5 as it happens.
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Boatboy on 13 April 2010, 11:40:32
So I went out to try the grease routine, and while I had it apart noticed the outer retaining plate has ever so slightly started to mark the webs of the pulley, suggesting to me that the bearings are worn allowing the pulley to twist.

Greased it up and put it back and now it's quiet as can be, but time to get a replacement scheduled me thinks.

Thanks for the advice.


Steve

Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: feeutfo on 13 April 2010, 11:50:05
Quote
So I went out to try the grease routine, and while I had it apart noticed the outer retaining plate has ever so slightly started to mark the webs of the pulley, suggesting to me that the bearings are worn allowing the pulley to twist.

Greased it up and put it back and now it's quiet as can be, but time to get a replacement scheduled me thinks.

Thanks for the advice.


Steve

 
does sound like there's baring play
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Road Hog Mad on 13 April 2010, 12:19:49
My tensioner was making a funny noise so I replaced the aux belt and tensioner, a bit tight to get on and a spoon helps lol. I did this whilst replacing the power steering pump.
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Boatboy on 15 April 2010, 15:03:12
For info really:-

Just collected new pulley from very helpfull Vx parts department at evans halshaw in Hemel Hempstead.

Part No 9157962, £23.72 +vat on tc.

Steve



Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Entwood on 15 April 2010, 16:06:50
Not bad....  only gone up 67p in 2 years .. :) 

EDIT .. just noticed that the price was "on TC" .. mine was retail ...  does your invoice give a retail price for comparison ??
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Boatboy on 15 April 2010, 16:44:51
£26.35 retail, so 10% for TC :y
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Entwood on 15 April 2010, 16:55:56
Gone up £3.30 in 2 years ...  not bad I suppose .. :)
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Mikes1670 on 15 April 2010, 17:42:16
Sounds like you've got it sorted. :y What does SAI and ATF stand for?
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Boatboy on 15 April 2010, 17:43:56
Quote
Gone up £3.30 in 2 years ...  not bad I suppose .. :)

Roughly 7% per year :o

Wish my savings had kept pace. Might just have got a pizza delivered on the interest.
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Andy B on 15 April 2010, 20:17:18
Quote
.... What does SAI and ATF stand for?

Secondary Air Injection
Auto Transmission Fluid  :y
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: Mr Hagon on 15 April 2010, 22:16:30
Quote
Mine self destructed - I was lucky, very little damage other than a melted tensioner pulley and a shredded aux belt and a lot of smoke together with the acrid smell of burning rubber.  Plus lots of light flashing from other drivers (as if I hadn't noticed the smell and smoke!!)  Took me ages to get all the bits of belt removed!!
I got lucky too in that my aux belt shredded just as I pulled in, particularly as I had checked under the bonnet to try and work out what the burning rubber smell was  ;D.
Title: Re: Aux Belt tensioner symptoms
Post by: bigdods on 15 April 2010, 23:37:19
Mine lasted about a mile from the first 'now thats an odd noise' to a thump , alternator light and rapid overheating.

Belt was off, although still in (just about) 1 piece but the tensioner pulley was in pieces.