CazzaVR 0 Posted September 23, 2009 Got an intermittent grinding/rattle sound- seems to be coming from the alternator. Have also noticed the lights flickering recently. The car has defo got the wrong belt on- the tensioner bolt is right at the end + I can easily twist the belt further than 90 degrees. Thought I would change: PAS belt Alternator belt Is it worth changing the waterpump and stat at the same time? Any suggestions as to what could be causing the rattle and what to change whilst I'm in there would be much appreciated! :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 2 Posted September 23, 2009 The belt can make a hell of a noise if it's even not tensioned correctly! It might just be slipping! Might be worth starting off nice and cheap try tightening the belt up a little.. if that doesn't help, swap the belt for a new VAG one. Both easy jobs and if they don't fix it, start looking at other areas :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davidwort 0 Posted September 23, 2009 do you have the second idler pulley on the waterpump for the alternator belt, they rattle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted September 23, 2009 The belt can make a hell of a noise if it's even not tensioned correctly! It might just be slipping! Might be worth starting off nice and cheap try tightening the belt up a little.. if that doesn't help, swap the belt for a new VAG one. Both easy jobs and if they don't fix it, start looking at other areas :) Jim, complete novice with belts- how do I tighten it? Dave, there are 3 pulleys for the alternator. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted September 23, 2009 Right, worked out how to tighten it- can't be tightened anymore as it's on the last tooth :shock: The belt is 10 x 950. The alternator pulley has a very faint squeek, but moves well. The pulley on the waterpump is quite wobbly- does this just need tightening? If so, how? Cheers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted September 23, 2009 Accidentally left the ratchet on one of the alternator bolts and shut the bonnet :( The bonnet now has a nice little crease in it - so fecking annoyed with myself! :( :mad2: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davidwort 0 Posted September 23, 2009 the genuine VW belts are really odd sizes, they are actually 9.5mm if you see the marks on a new vag belt but I don't think the 0.5mm makes much difference :) you may also find they are in 5mm odd length sizes like 945 instead of 950mm. The 1.8 KR engine up until early 1991 has two pulleys on the water pump, the smaller one actually drives it and the larger one that just deflects the belt to the alternator and is actually in two halves with a strange bearing surface between the two halves to allow for slightly different rotation of the inner and outer parts. Over time they all seem to go rattly as the bearing surace starts to wear and break up, usually due to the alternator belt having run a bit too tight for years on end. I've seen the two halves welded up before or you could change to the very late KR (and 9A 2.016v) belt and pulley arrangement. Ultimately you could run a mk3 16v ABF serpentine belt and alternator :) ^^ damage to the bonnet :( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swompy 0 Posted September 23, 2009 Accidentally left the ratchet on one of the alternator bolts and shut the bonnet :( The bonnet now has a nice little crease in it - so fecking annoyed with myself! :( :mad2: Shit man unlucky :( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vornwend 0 Posted September 23, 2009 Accidentally left the ratchet on one of the alternator bolts and shut the bonnet :( The bonnet now has a nice little crease in it - so fecking annoyed with myself! :( :mad2: Feel your pain Andy. Bright side .... you'll never do that again :roll: Repairable I guess? At least half the marks on mine are down to me :( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted September 24, 2009 Thanks for the info David :notworthy: Ordered a new belt from VW today and it's the same length as the old one :? The parts guy said the shorter belt is for a car with aircon. Really puzzled- hopefully all will become clear when I pick up the new one. Could the old one have stretched that much?! Cheers guy! Nope, certainly won't do that again. I shouldn't work on the car when I'm tired :roll: Hope it can be fixed- just don't have the money though :( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 2 Posted September 24, 2009 Hope it can be fixed- just don't have the money though :( Don't bloody sell it, Andy!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted September 24, 2009 Ha ha- no I won't mate- don't worry! :lol: Felt like it last night though! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikkijayne 0 Posted September 25, 2009 Accidentally left the ratchet on one of the alternator bolts and shut the bonnet :( The bonnet now has a nice little crease in it - so fecking annoyed with myself! :( :mad2: A painless dent removal specialist will be able to sort that out no problem - they usually charge about £50-70 a panel, and the good ones can work wonders. A little spendy, but at least its fixable. Have a word with your VW dealer and see who they use to prep their used cars :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toad 0 Posted September 25, 2009 It could be that the old belt has worn and is narrower than the new one. That will make a difference to the tension. Plus the tension of the alternator belt on the 16v is based on how far you can deflect the belt rather than if you can twist it. I have a bad rattle (again) and it's the idler pulley that runs on the back of the water pump pulley that causes it. Think I'm going to try welding it up solid... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted September 26, 2009 Accidentally left the ratchet on one of the alternator bolts and shut the bonnet :( The bonnet now has a nice little crease in it - so fecking annoyed with myself! :( :mad2: A painless dent removal specialist will be able to sort that out no problem - they usually charge about £50-70 a panel, and the good ones can work wonders. A little spendy, but at least its fixable. Have a word with your VW dealer and see who they use to prep their used cars :) Thanks- was thinking along these lines... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted September 26, 2009 It could be that the old belt has worn and is narrower than the new one. That will make a difference to the tension. Plus the tension of the alternator belt on the 16v is based on how far you can deflect the belt rather than if you can twist it. I have a bad rattle (again) and it's the idler pulley that runs on the back of the water pump pulley that causes it. Think I'm going to try welding it up solid... Thanks, Tom, good to know. Yeh, that's the same pulley as mine that's rattling. Let me know how it goes if you weld it- sounds like a plan :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted September 27, 2009 Changed both belts this morning- quite straight forward really :) No sign of the rattle anymore, and the alternator belt is tighter. Hopefully that's it! :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
