On Wednesday, 3 May 2023 at 14:02:43 UTC+1, Fredxx wrote:
[snip]
> On that video one tensioner can be held back in position using a pin. I
> saw he used a screwdriver. That seems a common technique and a
> Renault/Vauxhall/Opel 1.6 diesel has the same facility. It makes
> threading the belt near child's play.
>
> Are you sure your extra tensioner doesn't have the holes for a pin to
> hold it back?
Spot on.... this is exactly what I wasn't doing. I made a bar from a 6 inch nail (so I could make it perfect length and width for next time) and it held back the tensioner perfectly. There's quite some tension on that thing, which is why I didn't pull it that far back, but clearly the holes/slots are designed for exactly that. Thanks. Job done now, engine running.