Alternator Belt. Tensioner Jumping around

[567rhj75f]

Hi guys.

I've got PD105 Leon, and since purchasing it, I've had a slight knocking sound coming from infront of the drivers seat. in the engine, while idling. it kinda sounds like something flapping around. this only happened when idling, not while driving, and got louder at full lock

Whilst driving to work today, it was very prominent, and so when i arrived, i popped the bonnet, and had a look. The tensioner on the alternator belt was jumping up and down approx. half an inch, about 3 times a second.

after some further looking about, and taking the belt off the alternator quickly, i believe my alternator has an incorrect pulley.

My question is, does the alternator in the Leon have a freewheel pulley, or a direct drive pulley? as if it is a direct drive, i'm gonna have to look for something else that's causing the noise.

 

[chr1sd]

Hi guys.

I've got PD105 Leon, and since purchasing it, I've had a slight knocking sound coming from infront of the drivers seat. in the engine, while idling. it kinda sounds like something flapping around. this only happened when idling, not while driving, and got louder at full lock

Whilst driving to work today, it was very prominent, and so when i arrived, i popped the bonnet, and had a look. The tensioner on the alternator belt was jumping up and down approx. half an inch, about 3 times a second.

after some further looking about, and taking the belt off the alternator quickly, i believe my alternator has an incorrect pulley.

My question is, does the alternator in the Leon have a freewheel pulley, or a direct drive pulley? as if it is a direct drive, i'm gonna have to look for something else that's causing the noise.

Alternator pulley is goosed. ITs a clutched bearing, its sticking, thats whats is causing the belt to jump. You will get a replacement bearing for around £30. You need an alternator tool to remove it though.

 

[567rhj75f]

yeah, my mate works in a VW Specialist so he's got all the gear lol. just wanted a second opinion

looks like the previous owner got a duff alternator replacement from ebay or something.

hopefully changing this will stop the noise. pulling up to a set of lights with a car sounding like a really old tractor was getting pretty old lol.

thanks for the info

 

[chr1sd]

yeah, my mate works in a VW Specialist so he's got all the gear lol. just wanted a second opinion

looks like the previous owner got a duff alternator replacement from ebay or something.

hopefully changing this will stop the noise. pulling up to a set of lights with a car sounding like a really old tractor was getting pretty old lol

what do you mean about the pulley not looking correct?
If you pull the tensioner back and put a locking pin in it (allen key etc), put a flatbed screwdriver onto one of the alternator blades to stop it turning, then turn the pulley. It should lock one way and turn the other. It will likely be locked both ways.

 

[567rhj75f]

the pulley looks fine, just the alternator looks brand spanking new, and it doesnt look like official vw/seat one. looks like a cheap alternative is all. the pulley looks correct.

yeah that's what we did earlier, (and by we, he did it and i watched as I'm a 'leccy, and i'm mechanically retarded), and it was locked one way, and was really stiff the other way

 

[chr1sd]

the pulley looks fine, just the alternator looks brand spanking new, and it doesnt look like official vw/seat one. looks like a cheap alternative is all. the pulley looks correct.

yeah that's what we did earlier, (and by we, he did it and i watched as I'm a 'leccy, and i'm mechanically retarded), and it was locked one way, and was really stiff the other way

Yeah it should be free one way. when they seize altogether, it will eventually damage the tensioner. For the price, id just replace the lot, tensioner, belt and pulley. But then im a right fanny like that

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyosuYbPxr4

 

[567rhj75f]

I will eventually most probs, but just want to fix the problem atm lol

Thats weird, I was watching that exact video when I opened your link lol

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[567rhj75f]

took it to the garage i bought it from this morning.

opened it up and took a look, putting a complete new SEAT/VW official alternator on there free of charge, what a nice guy lol.