Golf is in its MOT window so need to keep everything sweet - the ABS error seems to have calmed itself down and has not flashed up for a week or so - hopefully I only have the blown bulb warning to worry about - that pops up randomly with the Mk7 LED number plate lights.
To complete the overhaul, I still have Passat alloy hubs and new bearings to fit, bought new ABS sensors to fit with the hubs, if the ABS warning re-appears I will swap out the sensor - hubs can wait until after MOT, just incase I cut/nick a boot on a ball joint or track rod end.
Sourced an INA drive belt tensioner, like the timing chain tensioner it has the VAG PN ground off:
Found a temporary cable tie mod to keep the drive belt in place while removing the tensioner... all to avoid jacking up, removing the wheel and dropping the undertray... worked great until I dropped the bottom most bolt while pulling the tensioner out. out came the jack, wheel off, but had success with telescopic magnet to fish the bolt out:
New tensioner has really quietened down the engine a lot, the pulley on the old tensioner had only a very small amount of play, but this creating a fretting noise and I could see the arm moving around - making a lot of noise
I have now had the Mk5 for nearly 2 years, decided to treat it to a new cabin filter, the old filter was replaced not long after purchase, it was full of tree debris so due for change:
I didn't realise that hidden under cardboard in the bottom of the crate my head came back in were my old valves, they are a bit more bent than they were after belt slip - valves were jammed open with springs compressed - so to get the collets out the valve had to be hammered over to allow the spring to be compressed:
Seemed I was very much due a de-carbon - at least that is a small win!:
