Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

I heard what sounds like a can of bolts being shaken fron the front Of the engine and was worried.

When I listened with the aid of my old screwdiver, the sound was most prominent from the alternator.
Stripped this down and it felt fine. Started the pajero and could not hear the noise. Now certain that the alternator bearings was gone. Took it in and was told that the alternator was fine. No problem.

Installed again and also checked the v belts. still looks new. I presume the previous owner had changed not long ago.
Started and noise was back, even more

Now decided to look further. I noticed a small amount of play on the idler pulley when the aircom pump belt was removed. Started the pajero and noise was gone.

Removed the pulley and went to get a new one from Maritime. No stock wait $ days and 600 bucks later for an idler pulley. no way.

Tried to find an aftermarket pulley, but no success. I managed to get one that was 75 mm in diameter and made a few modifications to test as I did not want to purchase the original, only to find this was not the problem. Atleast on this one I can replace the bearing if it goes again.

Assembled and noise is gone
there was enough adjustment on the tensoiner. will the difference in size be a probelm? If not then I will leave this one in. cost of new pulley? 34 bucks for bearing

as long as the belt adjustment is fine the pulley size won't affect the engine. In fact the pulley will last longer as the larger radius makes it turn at lower rpm.

Redvers, where did you find that pulley? Do you know what vehicle it is for? This info might help others to do what you did as well.

Marius, if I am not mistaken the replacement pulley that redvers fitted is a little smaller than the original, so it will spin a tiny bit faster.

Gerrit Loubser wrote:
Marius, if I am not mistaken the replacement pulley that redvers fitted is a little smaller than the original, so it will spin a tiny bit faster.

ah.. I only glanced at the picture and thought the black one was the new one.

Even if it doesn't last as long the dealers price is mad with those pulleys.

NB : I think the cambelt idler/tension pulley from a MK1/2/3 VW golf/jetta may be a perfect fit and under R100 from Goldwagen.

Hi Marius and Gerrit

This is an after market part for an aircon supplier and one of my customers make these. I just had to make 2 spacers to get the correct diameter and distance for the belt. the bearing id is 17mm instead of 12mm on the original. The dia is smaller, but there is enough travel for adjustment.

If anybody needs help here, please contact me.

I went to Autozone, Midas, Alert and a few smaller ones, but nobody has anything that simmilar.

I was just not prepared to pay that for a pulley.

Hi Redvers

I am in the same boat as you for that idler pulley, was it the the plastic grooved one (A) or the big smooth steel one(B)?


I just cant get my self to pay R 590.00 for something that costs a fraction of that to make...

PS. Sorry, your pic only loaded later, I see you replaced the steel idler pulley, I need the plastic one...

Hi Nick

Yes mine was the steel pulley, but I see from the other thread that you have managed to source both.

Good to know that they can be purchased else where.

Thanks