VW Lupo Belt Tensioner Issues: Real Owner Experience

Had the same serpentine belt trouble with a 2006 VW Polo, symptoms matching yours perfectly. Engine noise started as a slight squeal during cold starts, progressing to constant belt squeal under normal driving conditions. After inspection, the root cause went beyond just the belt tensioner. The entire belt delivery system needed attention, both the tensioner pulley and idler pulley had worn bearings. This affected overall engine performance as the belt wasnt maintaining proper tension across all accessories. During automobile maintenance, the mechanic discovered the original tensioner spring had lost tension, causing inconsistent pressure. The repair involved replacing the complete tensioner assembly, both pulleys, and installing a new serpentine belt. This was a serious repair since the failing tensioner could have led to belt failure and potential engine damage. The job took about 3 hours in the shop. While access to the components was straightforward, proper tensioning required specific tools and expertise. Since the repair, the engine has run smoothly with no belt squeal or irregular noises. Would strongly recommend getting this checked soon, as deteriorating belt tension can quickly lead to more severe issues.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Your situation with the tensioner pulley sounds exactly like what I went through. Good to know it wasnt just the belt that needed attention. Quick follow up, how much did the complete repair end up costing you? Also wondering if youve had any other belt drive issues since the fix? My mechanic mentioned checking the timing belt while they are at it, but not sure if thats just trying to upsell me.

Really glad to follow up on this. Since getting the repair done, everything has been running perfectly with no belt issues whatsoever. The total came to 455€ for fixing the bad belt tensioner, which included labor and parts. Getting the timing belt checked while working on the serpentine belt system makes good sense, its not necessarily an upsell. The timing belt is crucial for engine operation, and since the mechanic already has access to that area, its an efficient time to inspect it. My tensioner pulley failure could have damaged other components if left unchecked, so preventive checks are worth considering. The repair completely eliminated the belt squeal I was experiencing. The new belt tensioner and properly adjusted serpentine belt have kept everything running smoothly for the past months. No more strange noises or performance issues.

I took your advice and went to get it checked out. Found a new mechanic who actually took the time to explain everything. Turns out my situation was nearly identical, worn tensioner pulley and the idler pulley needed replacement too. Total repair came to 480€ including a new serpentine belt and labor. They showed me the old parts, the bearings were completely shot, causing all that engine noise. Decided to have them check the timing belt too since they were already in there. Glad I did because it showed early signs of wear. The car runs so much better now, no more belt squeal or strange noises. Been about 2 weeks since the repair and everything is working perfectly. Really relieved I got it fixed before it caused bigger problems. The new mechanic definitely earned my trust with their thorough work.