Alfa Pages

[BigAl]

I’d like to do two jobs in 1, which are
1 check cam timings and adjust if necessary.
2 replace cam belt tensioner pulley and cam belt pulley if necessary, on passenger side.

I only so 3000 miles a year, if that, the cam belts were done just before I bought the car a year and a half ago, so I don’t need/want to replace the belts. The previous owner thinks that the pulleys weren’t replaced. There is a rattling noise coming from the front passenger side of the engine which I think maybe the pulleys. I have checked the water pump for play and stiffness by removing the belt and there is none, so I was hoping to replace the offending pulley/s on this side.
I understand that the pulley is removable by 17mm bolt, but the tensioner pulley is pressed on and unable to just remove and replace.
I have been told the following, there are two types of pulleys and replace the belts if the pulleys are done or the belts are removed.
Surely this can’t be right, let’s say you fit new belts and/or tensioners and later need to redo cam timing as you put them on wrong, or want to replace the pulleys/tensioner pulleys, surely you shouldn’t have to replace the belts just because you had to re tension the belts, which is basically what I’m doing.
How do I tell what type of pulley I have so I can order before I dismantle my car?
Thanks Alan
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

[lee16v]

Al
The idler pulley is removable with a single bolt and the tensioner is pressed on to a small bracket but is still removable with detensioning the spring (which is bloody stiff) The new tensioner will come with the bracket so its just a case of swapping over. Make sure when you replace the tensioner that the washer on the securing bolt is on as this stops the tensioner being over tensioned and straining the cam bearings.

Can't see any problem with doing this and using your newish belts. If it's all re-tensioned in the correct manner I personally be quite happy to do it on my car.

[BigAl]

Thanks Lee, that’s what I thought good to hear from someone else, I have to convince the garage now.
I’m a bit worried about there being two types of pulleys, what are the differences? Are the idler and tensioner pulleys the same?
Maybe it would be better to order the tensioner pulley with the bracket, just wanted to save time / money, guess not at the same time
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

[lee16v]

They are the same size in diameter Al. The idler is held on with one bolt which passes straight through the roller but has shouldered bearings so you can't overtighten. The tensioner is bolted to a bracket which in turn has two bolts- one to give it its pivot point and the other to tighten when tensioned properly.
I bought mine from Mangoletsi and the tensioner came as one piece ie, roller and bracket together. Not sure if you could buy it separately or if that would make much of a saving?

Cheers Lee

[rsfruitbat]

I did buy the rollers seperately and they cost about a tenner a piece from an Alfa specialist in Wolverhampton called WAD.
With the one on the bracket you have to press the pivot pin out of the bracket. Not too difficult. Managed it with a decent vice and a couple of different sockets.
I suspect it would need to go back together with some bearing lock though for piece of mind.

RSfruitbat

[BigAl]

Thanks guys, I don’t have access to a garage or vice so i will have to buy the whole tensioner bracket, as I will be doing this job on the side of the road.
I called WAD and was quoted £25 each, but Alfa shop do them for £9.60 and £14 for the bracket tensioner. Mangoletsi £77 all in.
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203