Weird clicking / clucking noise - aux belt tensioner maybe?

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STP
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Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Weird clicking / clucking noise - aux belt tensioner maybe?

Post by STP »

I have just the last two days, had a weird clicking or clucking sound from the belt end of the engine occasionally, I'm thinking it's the aux belt tensioner deciding it's had enough, wondering if anyone else has had this and to ask if the tensioner can be gotten at without needing a left handed dwarf assistant and x-ray vision?

Hoping to be able to get at the tensioner via the drivers wheel arch, the kits of tensioner and belt are pretty reasonable on eBay so I've filled up my basket with the required bits. Just looking for confirmation if anyone else has done the same job, is it a nightmare or easily doable before I start pulling bits off.

I'm pretty competent on the mechanicals and have decent tools but have just passed 60 now and spending 4 hours kneeling next to the van fighting with an inaccessible bolt is something I don't treasure any longer.

Edit:
I will have to try and get a proper look down onto the area from above with a torch as having just read the Haynes, there are 3 systems - stretch belt (no tensioner), plain wheel tensioner or spring tensioner. Mine is a CAYD so at the moment I'm no longer sure which bits I actually need.
2015 SWB Van, 1.6 CR TDI with Cruise Control, Heated Mirrors, Highline Clocks & MFD, VW Hands Free Bluetooth, Electric Windows, Reversing Cameras, DPF Monitor, Thatcham Cat 2.

My build thread: White MK3 Facelift

My DPF Monitoring Device thread: DPF Monitor
STP
Hyper Poster
Posts: 762
Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2025 7:01 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Weird clicking / clucking noise - aux belt tensioner maybe?

Post by STP »

Now finding almost all suppliers on eBay have the kits of tensioner and belt, but they are the 1070 or 1050 belts for air con vehicles, and not the 842mm versions for non ac vans. Had anyone else done this job on the 1.6 TDI?
2015 SWB Van, 1.6 CR TDI with Cruise Control, Heated Mirrors, Highline Clocks & MFD, VW Hands Free Bluetooth, Electric Windows, Reversing Cameras, DPF Monitor, Thatcham Cat 2.

My build thread: White MK3 Facelift

My DPF Monitoring Device thread: DPF Monitor
Oaky1965
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Re: Weird clicking / clucking noise - aux belt tensioner maybe?

Post by Oaky1965 »

I had the annoying chirping noise on my T5 and it was the alternator clutch pulley, you need a special tool to change it though so it’s not a job you can do yourself unless you can borrow the tool


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STP
Hyper Poster
Posts: 762
Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2025 7:01 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Weird clicking / clucking noise - aux belt tensioner maybe?

Post by STP »

Interesting, can you tell me more about this? I have spoken to VW who confirmed 👍I have the stretch belt, no tensioner and need the vag tool to derail and refit the belt (on eBay, tool £7.50, belt £11.50) - which tool do you need to do the clutch pulley on the alternator? I have to do this as going for holiday 100 miles from home in a few weeks. Thanks 👍
2015 SWB Van, 1.6 CR TDI with Cruise Control, Heated Mirrors, Highline Clocks & MFD, VW Hands Free Bluetooth, Electric Windows, Reversing Cameras, DPF Monitor, Thatcham Cat 2.

My build thread: White MK3 Facelift

My DPF Monitoring Device thread: DPF Monitor
Oaky1965
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Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2025 8:54 am

Re: Weird clicking / clucking noise - aux belt tensioner maybe?

Post by Oaky1965 »

I got the new part off a guy on Facebook marketplace and my local garage fitted it so I can’t really help, all I know is it cured the annoying chirping noise


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Last edited by Giddy on Fri Aug 15, 2025 7:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: removed unnecessary quote of previous post
STP
Hyper Poster
Posts: 762
Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2025 7:01 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Weird clicking / clucking noise - aux belt tensioner maybe?

Post by STP »

So I've had a good look and it's a micro-v stretch belt, no tensioner and so it has to be the alternator pulley. The tool is a fiver off eBay, the pulley is £20 and the belt and derailment tool for that is only £15 and £7 respectively so I'll fire a new pulley on and a belt. The belt looks new as it was fully serviced in January by the dealership but I'm not taking the chances of reusing the current belt as it's cheap.
2015 SWB Van, 1.6 CR TDI with Cruise Control, Heated Mirrors, Highline Clocks & MFD, VW Hands Free Bluetooth, Electric Windows, Reversing Cameras, DPF Monitor, Thatcham Cat 2.

My build thread: White MK3 Facelift

My DPF Monitoring Device thread: DPF Monitor
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