Hello all,
Ok So the story goes like this, 3 months ago I changed the Timing chain and balance chain on my Vectra 2.2 petrol YH.
1 month down the line I developed what I thought was a chain rattle or ticking., well after much worrying about it I today had a good look at it.
As the sound seemed to coming from the chain, alternator, aux belt tensioner area, I thought I would take the aux belt off to eliminate the tensioner, alt, and AC pump.
Well it seems that its one of the above causing the problem, and not the chains. This is great news as you will all know doing the bloody chains is a Pain in the A---. Anyway, So I looked at the tensioner first as I figured this was probably the easiest and cheapest part to change.
No photos im afraid but it looks like the bearing oil/grease has escaped if that possible but had a ring of oil around where the bearing would be. It also felt a little loose as in I could move the wheel slightly side to side.
I have two questions for you all.
Is this a common issue for these Aux belt tensioners to go or not? The rattling/ticking sound was more when I decelerated and not on acceleration.
Just thinking about a previous car alternator pulley when the bearing had seized , it was a Passat and the bearing was designed in such a way that it would spin one way.
Does the Vectra have a similar set up where the bearing can seize? Is this a problem on Vectra alternators?
All the best
Paul