Later TU 8v spring cambelt tensioners

[spider]

I note later 8 valve TU units (I think 2007 onwards? Could be wrong on the year) have a spring or 'pointer' tensioner to ensure the belt is set accurately. A good idea and about time as the 16v units have had them for ages

Question is, is the later tensioner fittable to the earlier TU units ? , looking as best as I can at a few pics it appears it *should* just fit as the lug is present on the engine casting anyway and I expect the tension will be correct as the lug is in the same place.

I don't see a change in engine codes that I'm aware of for later units with this so this is partly the reason I assume it will fit earlier units too, as a change to the casting would probably result in a new engine code if nothing else to differentiate them.

Thoughts ?

[addo]

Hi Andy, I think it changed in late 2000 actually. The cam sprocket changed tooth count, water pump tooth count changed and the tensioner also changed over IIRC.

Gates actually make a 1" belt for some other application that fits the earlier belt length. Not sure if you can get equivalent for the later belt - its 17mm width has always petrified me!

[spider]

Thanks.

Yes they are a bit 'thin' compared to say the XUD/HDi belts to say the least.

Is interesting that you say its 2000. Its I may have a belt and tensioner change to do so I had an idea of fitting the later one but the car is post 2000 anyway so it may not be a concern. I guess I can have a look at the time and decide then.

[addo]

I think the engine block number was just over 366000.

[spider]

I think the engine block number was just over 366000.

I'll check with Servicebox although its such a pain to use. Unless its me.

My localised tech data uses the earlier pre Servicebox setup which the dealers had back then, is very fast but it stops about '98/99 unfortunately for most models.

[citronut]

i prefer to replace the one that has the pointer for the older type without,

a lot of cars the pointer type is fitted to you cant get a straight line of sight to see if its lined up correctly,
then every time you set the pointer then rotate the engine by have, the blinking thing goes out of line,

oribl thing

[spider]

That's interesting as you will have dealt with loads more than I ever have in that fitting the earlier one is better. I'd not really given the line of sight much thought but thinking about it I know exactly what you mean now.

They tend to whine a bit when I set the tension manually on my first attempt even now although I sometimes think I'm in DW8 mode (actually not that tight)

[citronut]

i find you almost have to shoe horn the belt onto a DW8 lump, and thats with the tensioner off as far as possible