My Golf (gti 16v, 1997) is very noisy in the engine bay around where the
rubber belt is around the alternator/powert steering/air con pump etc.
Would replacing the belt solve the problem or could it be a worn bearing on
one of the pumps? The sound is hard to describe, it is not a squeel like
you get when the belt is loose, it is a constant whine whilst the engine is
running.

Is replacing the belt an easy process? Do I have to remove the offside
wheel and wheel arch liner?

vw-stuff wrote:

My Golf (gti 16v, 1997) is very noisy in the engine bay around where the
rubber belt is around the alternator/powert steering/air con pump etc.
Would replacing the belt solve the problem or could it be a worn bearing on
one of the pumps? The sound is hard to describe, it is not a squeel like
you get when the belt is loose, it is a constant whine whilst the engine is
running.

Is replacing the belt an easy process? Do I have to remove the offside
wheel and wheel arch liner?



Hard to diagnose without listening but if you haven't had a new cambelt
fitted recently, ythe noise is most likely to be the cam belt tensioner,
or the bearing on the water-pump/alternator/power steering pump etc etc

"DCA" wrote in message
...
vw-stuff wrote:

My Golf (gti 16v, 1997) is very noisy in the engine bay around where the
rubber belt is around the alternator/powert steering/air con pump etc.
Would replacing the belt solve the problem or could it be a worn bearing
on
one of the pumps? The sound is hard to describe, it is not a squeel like
you get when the belt is loose, it is a constant whine whilst the engine
is
running.

Is replacing the belt an easy process? Do I have to remove the offside
wheel and wheel arch liner?



Hard to diagnose without listening but if you haven't had a new cambelt
fitted recently, ythe noise is most likely to be the cam belt tensioner,
or the bearing on the water-pump/alternator/power steering pump etc etc

Belts aren't noisy, the only slight noise you get from very large belts (not
cars) is windage noise and sometimes slapping. Lack of noise, as well as the
lack of need for lubrication is the reason they're used rather than chains
for cambelts, in spite of their propensity for snapping every now and again.

As the previous correspondent says, you almost certainly have a noisy
bearing somewhere.

Sorry can't advise hard or easy as I've never changed the belt on this
vehicle but from the look of things on my car I'd have a good look at my
knuckles before I started because they're not likely to look the same when
you're finished!

Good Luck.

Regards

Pilgarlick

I had a similair problem with a mercedes diesel. Replaced the belt (multi-v)
and the noise was gone. I guess it was just slipping causing the squeel
noise...

SFC

"vw-stuff" schreef in bericht
...
My Golf (gti 16v, 1997) is very noisy in the engine bay around where the
rubber belt is around the alternator/powert steering/air con pump etc.
Would replacing the belt solve the problem or could it be a worn bearing
on
one of the pumps? The sound is hard to describe, it is not a squeel like
you get when the belt is loose, it is a constant whine whilst the engine
is
running.

Is replacing the belt an easy process? Do I have to remove the offside
wheel and wheel arch liner?

I would suspect the water pump more than any of the belts if your belt turns
your water pump aswell in same area. Doubtful to be the alternator bearings
as when they do start to go then your battery charge starts to go
intermittent thus showing your charging light on dash illuminating on and
off slowly as the brushes inside miss contact due to worn /warped alternator
shaft/bearings etc. To be sure i would fit a new belt at right tension then
re-tighten the belt a few days later. Is the noise still there and is it
actually coming from the alternator? Try running the car without the
alternator belt on for a minute. If its still there then something worse
would be suspected. Good luck.

essexgirl


"SFC" wrote in message
...
I had a similair problem with a mercedes diesel. Replaced the belt
(multi-v)
and the noise was gone. I guess it was just slipping causing the squeel
noise...

SFC

"vw-stuff" schreef in bericht
...
My Golf (gti 16v, 1997) is very noisy in the engine bay around where the
rubber belt is around the alternator/powert steering/air con pump etc.
Would replacing the belt solve the problem or could it be a worn bearing
on
one of the pumps? The sound is hard to describe, it is not a squeel
like
you get when the belt is loose, it is a constant whine whilst the engine
is
running.

Is replacing the belt an easy process? Do I have to remove the offside
wheel and wheel arch liner?

essexgirl wrote:
I would suspect the water pump more than any of the belts if your belt turns
your water pump aswell in same area. Doubtful to be the alternator bearings
as when they do start to go then your battery charge starts to go
intermittent thus showing your charging light on dash illuminating on and
off slowly as the brushes inside miss contact due to worn /warped alternator
shaft/bearings etc. To be sure i would fit a new belt at right tension then

Worn/noisy alternator bearings do not necessary cause any problems with
charging.
I own such a noisy alternator myself. The wear of bearings is big
enough to make noises (you can actualy hear it when turning by hand),
but still not big enough to upset the brushes. And never will be, as
the bearing with such a big play would simply fall apart.

speaking from experience ive given my opinion. We all got diffirent
experiences. I offered my opinion from a long enthusiastic time involved in
VW'S. We could all say " well mine doesnt do that so yours shouldnt etc etc
etc"

I own such a noisy alternator myself. The wear of bearings is big
enough to make noises (you can actualy hear it when turning by hand),
but still not big enough to upset the brushes. And never will be, as
the bearing with such a big play would simply fall apart.

that is a gauranteed statement that lol we dont need this forum since ur
here to put us all right hehe. how many alternators have you actually
re-conditioned? Obviously not the noisy one sitting in your car bud lol. All
the best for 2006 ;-)

essexgirl

wrote in message
oups.com...

essexgirl wrote:
I would suspect the water pump more than any of the belts if your belt
turns
your water pump aswell in same area. Doubtful to be the alternator
bearings
as when they do start to go then your battery charge starts to go
intermittent thus showing your charging light on dash illuminating on
and
off slowly as the brushes inside miss contact due to worn /warped
alternator
shaft/bearings etc. To be sure i would fit a new belt at right tension
then

Worn/noisy alternator bearings do not necessary cause any problems with
charging.
I own such a noisy alternator myself. The wear of bearings is big
enough to make noises (you can actualy hear it when turning by hand),
but still not big enough to upset the brushes. And never will be, as
the bearing with such a big play would simply fall apart.

essexgirl wrote:

I own such a noisy alternator myself. The wear of bearings is big
enough to make noises (you can actualy hear it when turning by hand),
but still not big enough to upset the brushes. And never will be, as
the bearing with such a big play would simply fall apart.

that is a gauranteed statement that lol we dont need this forum since ur
here to put us all right hehe. how many alternators have you actually
re-conditioned? Obviously not the noisy one sitting in your car bud lol. All
the best for 2006 ;-)

Got off on the wrong foot?

I just wanted to say, that the proper charging does not neccessary
mean, that the alternator is not making noises.

Actually - I reconditioned myself two, the current one not included but
obviously due for a long time. The single thing stopping me from
reconditioning the current one is the lack of the suitable wrench to
remove the pulley. For which I need an access to the welding equipment,
to make me one.

And from what I saw, I can say, that usualy it is the front bearing,
which starts to make noises first as it handles all the load from the
belt. The brushes are sitting at the opposite end, near the second
bearing, which is usualy still ok. So, you will need a huge play at the
front bearing in order to upset the spring loaded brushes (provided the
brushes themselves are not worn to the limit).

Pilgarlick wrote:

"DCA" wrote in message
...

vw-stuff wrote:


My Golf (gti 16v, 1997) is very noisy in the engine bay around where the
rubber belt is around the alternator/powert steering/air con pump etc.
Would replacing the belt solve the problem or could it be a worn bearing
on
one of the pumps? The sound is hard to describe, it is not a squeel like
you get when the belt is loose, it is a constant whine whilst the engine
is
running.

Is replacing the belt an easy process? Do I have to remove the offside
wheel and wheel arch liner?




Hard to diagnose without listening but if you haven't had a new cambelt
fitted recently, ythe noise is most likely to be the cam belt tensioner,
or the bearing on the water-pump/alternator/power steering pump etc etc


Belts aren't noisy, the only slight noise you get from very large belts (not
cars) is windage noise and sometimes slapping. Lack of noise, as well as the
lack of need for lubrication is the reason they're used rather than chains
for cambelts, in spite of their propensity for snapping every now and again.

As the previous correspondent says, you almost certainly have a noisy
bearing somewhere.

Sorry can't advise hard or easy as I've never changed the belt on this
vehicle but from the look of things on my car I'd have a good look at my
knuckles before I started because they're not likely to look the same when
you're finished!

Good Luck.

Regards

Pilgarlick


Absolute bollox. An old belt that is starting to perish makes alot of
noise (mainly through minimal slippage),
Also, over tensions cambelts whine as the tooth spacing is stretched and
starts to catch on the next tooth of the pulley

ok cool then your the man to see for info on re-conditioning alternaters
then. will let you off with it since u changed your post to

"I just wanted to say, that the proper charging does not neccessary
mean, that the alternator is not making noises.

I only pointed out that from experience from alternators i had i had such n
such problems n few things that DO happen despite the same experiences with
vw's and alternaters happening to you. Chew on that one. Can say ive
succesfully re-conditioned quite a lot of them aswell now. But u just make
it sound like you work for bosh or lucas etc and its gospel and
.............. lol. u have last word bud.......


essexgirl





wrote in message
ups.com...

essexgirl wrote:

I own such a noisy alternator myself. The wear of bearings is big
enough to make noises (you can actualy hear it when turning by hand),
but still not big enough to upset the brushes. And never will be, as
the bearing with such a big play would simply fall apart.

that is a gauranteed statement that lol we dont need this forum since ur
here to put us all right hehe. how many alternators have you actually
re-conditioned? Obviously not the noisy one sitting in your car bud lol.
All
the best for 2006 ;-)

Got off on the wrong foot?

I just wanted to say, that the proper charging does not neccessary
mean, that the alternator is not making noises.

Actually - I reconditioned myself two, the current one not included but
obviously due for a long time. The single thing stopping me from
reconditioning the current one is the lack of the suitable wrench to
remove the pulley. For which I need an access to the welding equipment,
to make me one.

And from what I saw, I can say, that usualy it is the front bearing,
which starts to make noises first as it handles all the load from the
belt. The brushes are sitting at the opposite end, near the second
bearing, which is usualy still ok. So, you will need a huge play at the
front bearing in order to upset the spring loaded brushes (provided the
brushes themselves are not worn to the limit).