Gerald Finden

I had a belt, fairly new, that developed inconsistent elasticity. I had the same symptoms you're having. Drove me nuts until I put a new Gates belt on; problem solved. It was less than three years old and car had been sitting for about five months.

John Speake

Any progress with this problem ?

Landseer

I have similar experience on 2 32v cars and one 16 V car with conti requiring multiple retensions.

Don't be surprised if, a year or two from now, you accelerate before the car is warmed-up and trigger the light. Happened multiple times to mine. After disassembling to diagnose twice, finding no parts issues, I tightened them and drove-on. I like the cars, but they won't own me.

Crumpler

Epic quote Mr. Toft. I like it. I'd like permission to use that one.

69gaugeman

Yup and it will happily tension it until it breaks. There is a problem with the tension and it is not tensioner related. That's why the alarm went off. To not fix the problem and mask it with an Audi tensioner is a fools practice.

PorKen

The valve is a half-hearted attempt at damping when the engine is cold. When the engine is hot the bi-metal washers flatten out so there is no spring reaction to dampen.

When the engine is hot the stock tensioner is solid (like the prototype shown below). It can/does not react to changes in belt length. The stock belt tension is higher than necessary to pre-stretch the belt somewhat but when accelerating or at high rpm the belt is further stretched and extra belt 'flaps'.

Landseer

My grey car has one of the earliest PKTensioners. That one I don't worry about at all.

Imo000

Why are you making it sound like any of this is a problem?

Mrmerlin

I would put a new different brand belt on,
and recheck the tension,
the tensioner looks OK to me.
I like to use STP oil to fill it

PorKen

I report, y'all decide.

Imo000

You are doing a lot more than that.

Cosmo Kramer

The only benefit to the stock system is the idiot light, which is not needed if the car has an auto tensioner and is properly maintained. Just like any modern car with a timing belt.

I think the problem is a Conti belt mixed with a manual tensioner. The Conti is known to have inconsistent tension, especially when tightened to spec with the factory tensioner. The Audi tensioner would adjust for the belt's inconsistencies automatically.

In saying that, the OP has already rebuilt his factory tensioner and it is up for the job, so put on a Gates belt and see if it cures it.

69gaugeman

The Audi tensioner wouldn't let you know that the nose of the cam is breaking off or the water pump is seized, so it's a pretty big benefit.

GEE928S

Hello Guys,

Sorry about my silence, my e-mail address did't sync and i did not know that here has been discussion about my problem.
I just yesterday got a new belt, new tension roller and all the stuff that goes to tensioner nose.
I was also trying to change belt to Gates and i ordered one but i still got Conti belt, damn... , i put also new tensioner arm bushings and new bolt for arm.
Anyway, i got the parts together again and started testing, same thing again, belt tension changes and but maybe not as much as earlier and i still have about 0,4mm wobble on the belt.
I took couple of videos about measuring the tension and tensioner itself but i don't know can i add those here, other is 2M and other 6M.
But the main thing is, the tensioner alarm system is not grounded when the belt tension is in the kempf window, when i measure the tension, twinst the belt, the system grounds.
In these videos i could show you what i am doing and you could say what i am doing wrong...
Is it possible to add videos here? or put your email address by private message?

br. PG

GEE928S

Here is dropbox links, try if you can open them

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/fihgtan8z...BQ3cLoKnJEfsRa

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/muml2a5s0...2MCiNVzuacYlTa

I hope thet these are the right links

PG