Idler pulley

Jamvo · Post by **Jamvo** » Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:58 am

Yesterday while driving my battery light came on, and powersteering went, knew it was probably the accessory belt. Made it home and realized that the idler pulley was completely melted and wrecked.
My question is that I've found two different diagrams for my 98 v70 2.4t awd. One with and one without the pulley I ruined. Does anyone know if I just get a double sided ribbed belt (don't remember the name for that) that's the right size, could I go without that pulley, or are these diagrams I found incorrect? I can get the pulley but it may not be into next week, but im inpatient.

If I need the pulley, is it as simple as just unscrewing it to remove?

Thanks,
J

Post by **bmdubya1198** » Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:41 am

The pulley is easy to replace, just pop the cap off of the pulley, crack the bolt loose, remove the belt, and swap out the pulley.

The double sided belt is for 1999+ models and is not compatible with your 1998. Totally different setup.

Jamvo · Post by **Jamvo** » Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:35 am

That's what I was thinking. I just found a diagram where it looked literally the same except for the idler. Thought it was an easy fix, I'll have them order the part up then.. Thanks!

Post by **cn90** » Tue Jan 08, 2019 8:43 pm

You need to look at the big picture:
- Timing belt, tensioner, pulleys x2 (if not done yet).
- Idler, Tensioner pulleys and serp belt.

I wrote detailed DIY in forum.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:03 pm

It would definitely be a good idea to inspect your timing belt and related components. I would replace them if you have any doubts, especially if you don't know when they were last replaced.

Jamvo · Post by **Jamvo** » Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:55 am

The pulley that broke is on my accessory belt, not timing. But how hard is the timing belt, I plan on doing it in spring but it’s too cold now.

I’ve had to special order the pulley and it should be here Friday or Saturday..

Post by **cn90** » Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:54 pm

By the time the Idler Pulley is bad (around 160K-200K), the timing belt is way overdue.

Info in forum.

Jamvo · Post by **Jamvo** » Thu Jan 10, 2019 7:04 pm

Good to know, I plan to do it soon and sooner now, it’s not my only/main car at least. But I took the pulley out and it spins fine it seems, so I don’t know if the belt just started coming off and melted it or what, as I thought it had just seized up

Thanks a bunch

Post by **bmdubya1198** » Fri Jan 11, 2019 7:50 am

Does it make any noise or have any axial play? There are a lot of ways a pulley can fail, so I wouldn't rule it out as the problem.

Also check out that tensioner pulley, make sure it spins smoothly. Also make sure the tensioner itself doesn't feel week and sloppy.

Post by **abscate** » Fri Jan 11, 2019 1:30 pm

Excellent advice on the expert at Idle R Pulleys

(oooh, thats nasty)