How does the auxiliary belt tensioner work on a Ford Focus?

Squeezing the radiator and heater hoses can help force air around and ultimately out of the expansion tank. Thanks @TomsFocus for this (including the IT support). I’ve ordered the new auxiliary belt tensioner, but will turn the engine over to see if the noise ceases (I never though to do that – idiot).

Where do you put the tensioner on a Ford?

Loosen the belt by using a 15mm socket on the new tensioner as above and push the belt over the plain pulley. You may find it easiest to tie the socket driver bar to the front hub carrier below the driveshaft to hold the tensioner “open” whilst fitting the belt from the top of the engine.

How do you replace a Ford belt tensioner?

Undo the two 10mm bolts holding the tensioner to the block and remove, keeping the bolts in a safe place as you’ll be using these to hold the new tensioner on. If necessary, clean up the exposed mating face on the block:

Why is my aux belt not working on my Ford Focus?

Hi @Stophen, if you tag us with the @ symbol before our names we’ll get a notification in future. It is likely to be the aux belt tensioner causing your issue, definitely worth removing the aux belt and running the engine to check the noise is no longer there without the belt present.

Do you need to top up the coolant in a Ford Focus?

When properly vacuum filled there is even no need to top up the cooling system after starting the engine. This engine does not have any bleeding valves to bleed the cooling system. This basically means that there is no way to bleed the system except from running the engine and hope it will purge all air out.

Why is my aux belt tensioner not working?

It is likely to be the aux belt tensioner causing your issue, definitely worth removing the aux belt and running the engine to check the noise is no longer there without the belt present. As said in a previous thread I had the same issue with a failed aux belt tensioner!

How does the auxiliary belt tensioner work on a Ford Focus?