This is the best video I've seen for replacing the VW 2.5L serpentine belts. The outer/lower crank to AC compressor belt is very easy compared to the inner/upper belt. Here is how I install the inner/upper belt to minimize knuckle pain and curse words: 1. Remove the upper idler wheel (16mm) (not mandatory, but makes it easier for me). 2. Install the belt as shown in the video except for the Alternator pulley & lower idler wheel. 3. Rotate the upper tensioner clockwise with a 15mm box wrench and keep it rotated with a piece of wood against the engine mount tower, FREEING UP YOUR HANDS to finish routing the belt with no belt tension fighting you. 4. From below, thread the belt around the lower idler wheel then back over the Alternator pulley (this is the hardest part). 5. Install the upper idler wheel. 6. Release the upper tensioner and remove 15mm box wrench. 7. Turn the Alternator pulley by hand to make sure the belt is seated & routed correctly. It should turn freely before you install the outer/lower belt. Have fun !!
I havent tried it yet but thanks for the video this looks so much easier i didnt think about taking off the splash gaurd. some good stuff hopefully it goes well for me edit: I did it this way and finished the job in less than 2 hours. perfect way to do it
Thankyou for video. Im currently replacing the upper belt and lower idler. Removing belts no problem. Removing idler.ugh. But found trying to fight the ac hose and tight fit overall and find the two bolts was too hard. So I placed the 10m triplesquare first in the bolt , then attached the my rig of a 3/8 ratchet which had a 3/8 ext. Attached together and bam. The 10m was sticking out so i could see what i was doing. So much easier . Yes i did this in a parking lot. I reattatched the same way. Once i had it in position placed bolt in then hand tightend just using 10m bit by hand & then attaching wrench to tighten. Hope this makes it easier for anyone.
Very helpful video. Just did both my belts. I put the car on ramps and used the Harbor Freight $20 serpentine belt tool, I had to really crank the inner tensioner (actually both) super hard, and make sure you do the belt onto the tensioner last, the belt won't fit over the pulleys. It's a tight space, not easy, but this video and the proper tool helped a LOT. Thanks for posting.
I literally just did this same work on my 06 Jetta. I found the hardest part was getting the screws back in place for the plastic wheel covers, after belt changed. Ugh. Your video is the easiest to follow BTW.
If things were easy we would be bored, not an excellent video, but good enough information, and how to do it with a personal experience. Nicely done I like it.
Thanks for the help and the tip about leaving the belt off the tensioner as someone said it seems like the natural way to do it after your video but I didn't see ANY other videos that show it. You are much better than I am at keeping a civil tongue 😅 I think I probably offended my neighbors a block away. 😱🫢😂 THANK YOU!!!!
"That was a big pain in the ass" is exactly what this job is lmao. Had I not been stranded in a Burger King parking lot, and had my a jack with me, I would've just unmounted the engine and lifted it up (like with changing the water pump). My hands were waaaay too big, but I got it. Not difficult by any means, just a few attempts to get it right
Winter tires. Wow. We don't use them down here in Central Florida. But this video was perfect for me. T.Y. I am a retired teacher, so this was VERY helpful & easy to follow..
Just did this in an O'Reilly parking lot after the water pump belt broke. Wish I had watched this vid first. Fought with it for over an hour before we realized that both belts have tensioners. Doh.
I can’t get my bottom belt on for nothing I have the right part number i think it’s the tool I’m using for my tensioner isn’t giving me enough space to go up more
This is the best video I've seen for replacing the VW 2.5L serpentine belts. The outer/lower crank to AC compressor belt is very easy compared to the inner/upper belt. Here is how I install the inner/upper belt to minimize knuckle pain and curse words:
1. Remove the upper idler wheel (16mm) (not mandatory, but makes it easier for me).
2. Install the belt as shown in the video except for the Alternator pulley & lower idler wheel.
3. Rotate the upper tensioner clockwise with a 15mm box wrench and keep it rotated with a piece of wood against the engine mount tower, FREEING UP YOUR HANDS to finish routing the belt with no belt tension fighting you.
4. From below, thread the belt around the lower idler wheel then back over the Alternator pulley (this is the hardest part).
5. Install the upper idler wheel.
6. Release the upper tensioner and remove 15mm box wrench.
7. Turn the Alternator pulley by hand to make sure the belt is seated & routed correctly. It should turn freely before you install the outer/lower belt.
Have fun !!
Leaving the tensioner for last seems so obvious after watching this video. Much easier than any of the other stuff I tried. Excellent video!
I havent tried it yet but thanks for the video this looks so much easier i didnt think about taking off the splash gaurd. some good stuff hopefully it goes well for me
edit: I did it this way and finished the job in less than 2 hours. perfect way to do it
Thankyou for video. Im currently replacing the upper belt and lower idler. Removing belts no problem. Removing idler.ugh. But found trying to fight the ac hose and tight fit overall and find the two bolts was too hard. So I placed the 10m triplesquare first in the bolt , then attached the my rig of a 3/8 ratchet which had a 3/8 ext. Attached together and bam. The 10m was sticking out so i could see what i was doing. So much easier . Yes i did this in a parking lot. I reattatched the same way. Once i had it in position placed bolt in then hand tightend just using 10m bit by hand & then attaching wrench to tighten. Hope this makes it easier for anyone.
Very helpful video. Just did both my belts. I put the car on ramps and used the Harbor Freight $20 serpentine belt tool, I had to really crank the inner tensioner (actually both) super hard, and make sure you do the belt onto the tensioner last, the belt won't fit over the pulleys. It's a tight space, not easy, but this video and the proper tool helped a LOT. Thanks for posting.
Great video, really liked the fact that you gave part numbers, many thanks!
thanks for the comment 👍 I'm glad I could help out
This was the best video I found. That trick with leaving it off the tensioner made it really easy! Thanks!
thanks for the comment 👍 I'm glad it made things easy for you
Trying it that way tomorrow, turned off the lights and closed the garage door for tonight. That was miserable.
Best video I've found way better than TRQ
Thanks for the comment 👍
I literally just did this same work on my 06 Jetta. I found the hardest part was getting the screws back in place for the plastic wheel covers, after belt changed. Ugh. Your video is the easiest to follow BTW.
Perfect pace, thanks for showing belt size too
If things were easy we would be bored, not an excellent video, but good enough information, and how to do it with a personal experience. Nicely done I like it.
Hello, Thank you Bro, This was the best video I found. I'm from Kazakhstan🙋
thanks, I'm glad it helped out 👍
Thanks for the help and the tip about leaving the belt off the tensioner as someone said it seems like the natural way to do it after your video but I didn't see ANY other videos that show it. You are much better than I am at keeping a civil tongue 😅 I think I probably offended my neighbors a block away. 😱🫢😂
THANK YOU!!!!
I Couldn’t do this so I used my 12 gauge shotgun and put it out of its memory.
😆
"That was a big pain in the ass" is exactly what this job is lmao. Had I not been stranded in a Burger King parking lot, and had my a jack with me, I would've just unmounted the engine and lifted it up (like with changing the water pump). My hands were waaaay too big, but I got it. Not difficult by any means, just a few attempts to get it right
Nice job
..very informative. Thanks
Winter tires. Wow. We don't use them down here in Central Florida. But this video was perfect for me. T.Y. I am a retired teacher, so this was VERY helpful & easy to follow..
Nicely done thanks for the little tutorial!
I love how it cut to nighttime. "That was a big pain in the ass"
hey which part number belt went to which spot?
This wat i need to know
Just did this in an O'Reilly parking lot after the water pump belt broke. Wish I had watched this vid first. Fought with it for over an hour before we realized that both belts have tensioners. Doh.
Big help, BIG TIME THANK U
used a breaker bar on my 15mm wrench to pull the tensioner as far back possible then slipped ofer tensioner pulley. 2009 beetle.
Do you remember what belt went where? I see the part numbers for them
I always start from the top first water pump and work my way down with the new belt
Trying to get that belt placed precisely in that tight space zig zagging around all those pulleys got to be a pain
big pain for sure, not much space to play around with
does this apply to a mk5 beetle?
yes if it has the 2.5 engine
I can’t get my bottom belt on for nothing I have the right part number i think it’s the tool I’m using for my tensioner isn’t giving me enough space to go up more
very helpful. good job
I gotta do the exact same thing to my VW J.
its definitely no fun doing it but just follow the video and you will get it
@@603Mechanicvids Your vid is a very good tool. Thnx for posting.
Nice job.
Nice job!
Once my belt gets here I’ll lyk how it goes. I-15 southbound has won… for now.
Your video helped a ton! It looked so tight and complicated from the engine bay but this video made it super easy!
glad I could help.you out thanks for the comment 👍
Not to bad though...
Grt
My belt blew