2.1TD Aux. Belt Tensioner

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Dec 2008, 13:42

In doing my routine car checks this morning, I noticed the auxillary belt was making more noise than it should. Long story short, the spring tensioner is seized solid and is no longer a spring tensioner! In fact the belt is not really fully tight now, even with the eccentric tensioner adjusted fo full eccentricity.

service.citroen indicate that the 1.9TD and 2.1TD are identical in regard to auxillary belts and tensioners. They do look the same.

Before I go spending my pennies, can anyone please confirm the GSF part numbers are correct for what I'm after please:

N13179B RIBBED BELT TENSIONER

13354D ALTERNATOR BELT-6PK 1690

For the belt, service.citroen quote either a 1725 or 1735 depending on the A/C compressor fitted and yet the GSF one is a 1690. Is that OK?

Might explain why they're such a fight to get on, needing the spring tensioner to be fully retracted.

Many thanks

rory_perrett · Unread post by **rory_perrett** » 14 Dec 2008, 15:12

On my 1998 2.1td Mk2 with aircon Auxiliary Belt Number 6K 1736 8628466680 GSF part number N13344

Its length is marked as 1740

Don't think the tensioner is the same as the 1.9 either

Rory

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Dec 2008, 15:31

Thanks Rory,

That's most helpful

The 1690 belt is for the early 1.9TD with the shouldered allen bolt trension adjustment.

Now, I see the tensioner part number is different for the 406 as well. N13171..

So, question is, is the tensioner listed for the Xantia also the early one?

Confused

According to service.citroen the tensioner is the same for the late 1.9TD and 2.1TD and they certainly look the same...

I'll give GSF a bell in the morning I think and ask them to describe each tensioner to me.

deian · Unread post by **deian** » 14 Dec 2008, 15:45

I had this issue too. And from what the mechanic told me the part that I wanted wasn't the same as the 1.9td otherwise I wouldn't have sold the car.

Maybe certain parts of the tensioners are the same, but I would very much doubt it will be the same as the 1.9td, the engines are both XUD's but the 2.1 is different in many ways.

rory_perrett · Unread post by **rory_perrett** » 14 Dec 2008, 16:00

Looks like the spring is the same for diesels with aircon - Cit part number 575181 Not cheap at about £70 from Cit, notice GSF have them on e-bay for £43. But probably well worth doing as I've now had an auxiliary belt "jump" twice, causing strips to come off which got inside the cam belt cover causing the cam belt to slip knocking the timing out with unpleasant (and expensive) consequences.

Rory

Unread post by **RichardW** » 14 Dec 2008, 16:04

Jim,

They changed the tension arrangement on the 1.9 about 1997 / 1998 to be the same as the 2.1. There was a long thread when Deian was talking about his, and David Woollard changed the tensioner on his (late) 1.9: Aux belts

At the top of page 3 there is a post by me with a link to some photos of the worn out tensioner from David.

As you say the only way will be ask GSF exactly what you are getting.

Bit of a pig to change AFAIK, alt and HP pump out to get the bracket out, since you can't get the through bolt out with the bracket on the car....

deian · Unread post by **deian** » 14 Dec 2008, 16:21

My 2.1 was a facelift 1998, if that is any help. Didn't know the tensioner arrangement was different for the 1.9 later, this was a more expensive option compared to before the change I would think.

Anyway, I'll sit back and watch now. Thanks

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Dec 2008, 17:04

Richard, Dei,

Many thanks, especially for the Pictures

That's exactly what my tensioner looks like.

I reckon it's possible to replace without disturbing the alternator and HP Pump if my memory is correct and the lower spring stud has an Allen head. I have some log Allen keys that have a 3/8" drive socket and I reckon, looking at it, that I should just be avle to get in there despite the oil cooler pipes being in the way a bit.

rory_perrett wrote:GSF have them on e-bay for £43.

Do you mean this one here Rory? It looks like mine!

rory_perrett · Unread post by **rory_perrett** » 14 Dec 2008, 22:19

Nope item number 280286459664, must learn how to do linky things one day - but I fear life is too short with so many cars to fix.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 17 Dec 2008, 19:00

I got my new tensioner yesterday after ordering it from the GSF eBay Shop on Monday. Good service, given the time of the year

Today, before the light failed, I had a quick look at mine to scope out the job of replacing it.

I found mine jammed in the "up" position. I released it by leaning on a bar in the retraction hole. It's working again now after exercising it a bit and it's relatively safe (I think) but I find the bearings have been replaced by three'penny bits

rather than working smoothly, it's working more like a ratchet.

I reckon I see now what happens. It ratchets up to its "up" position, jams there and the belt pops off with potentially disasterous consequences.

I just need time and weather now to get the job done. Time is the killer for me. I have precious little at the moment and when I do it's dark or wet

Speaking of wet, so is the interior of my Activa

Another urgent job. The windscreen scuttle trim seal has failed...

Unread post by **myglaren** » 17 Dec 2008, 19:03

Not really having a fun prelude to Christmas are you Jim.
I hope there is a reversal of this before the weekend.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 17 Dec 2008, 19:12

myglaren wrote:Not really having a fun prelude to Christmas are you Jim.

Indeed Steve

You can say that again! Still, overall it's not too bad, the Christmas shopping is nigh-on done and who knows, Christmas day and Boxing day may just be the perfect days for getting the cars sorted

Token gesture to the family on Christmas morning and then full-on Xantia with soggy carpets hanging over the banister

Unread post by **myglaren** » 17 Dec 2008, 19:27

citrojim wrote:
myglaren wrote:Not really having a fun prelude to Christmas are you Jim.
Indeed Steve You can say that again! Still, overall it's not too bad, the Christmas shopping is nigh-on done and who knows, Christmas day and Boxing day may just be the perfect days for getting the cars sorted

Token gesture to the family on Christmas morning and then full-on Xantia with soggy carpets hanging over the banister

Wow, aren't you going to be the popular one

reblack68 · Unread post by **reblack68** » 17 Dec 2008, 20:28

You're going to hang a Xantia over the bannister?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 18 Dec 2008, 19:43

myglaren wrote: Wow, aren't you going to be the popular one

I can tell you Steve, I was feeling very, very

last evening.

Thankfully, today has been a real cracker of a day

reblck68 wrote:You're going to hang a Xantia over the bannister?

I tell you Richard, if I could, I'd keep my Activa in the house. Front door's not wide enough though...