Strange noise and frayed fan belt (1.2 tsi)

[VWplo]

hi guys, so this noise has developed recently. its like a clicking noise that increases in speed as the revs climb. i got around to sussing it out and i think its coming from the fan belt that appears to be frayed.
heres a video and pic. what do you guys think?

[Brendan_A]

Alternator belt catching on something by looks and sound of it. Get it look at soon.

[nomadx38]

Get it booked in ASAP! Just drive up to the dealer and get them to look at it on the spot.

If that belt breaks you are screwed, there is only one belt on these motors and it powers the water pump, alternator and air-con compressor. The last 2 you can do without for about 100km BUT the lack of a water pump will cripple the car and you will be stranded.

Avoid putting stress on the belt, that means no air con and try to minimise revving and high loads. You have to remeber a fan belt is like a pair of jeans. Over all the belt weave is very strong but just like jeans, if you put a small cut in it and pull it thread by thread you can make it fall apart quickly.

It will allready be getting damaged pretty quickly just by spinning around the motor in its frayed state.

[VWplo]

thanks guys.
yeh thats the plan. hopefully they can change it there and then. if not im gonna have to use my dads corrolla for a while

[Lucas_R]

I wonder if you somehow hit something while driving (some object lying on the road or something flicked up from a car in front of you) that made its way in to the engine bay and hit the belt? Strange to see such a new belt falling to pieces like that.

As mentioned above, i would get that replaced ASAP and also check that no foreign body is still wedged in the engine bay there somewhere to ruin the new belt.

From watching the video, you can hear the noise each time the belt rotates in the same location.

[VWplo]

Yeh I've taken it in the Vw, and showed them. Definatly needs a new alternator belt obviously but as Lucus_r said they were puzzled as to why the belt would be so badly damaged. It's gonna stay at the dealership over night to wait for parts from NSW. They said they will check the alignment and any signs of contact with the belt.

[ill0gitech]

...they were puzzled as to why the belt would be so badly damaged

Since you mentioned they were puzzled, I thought I'd share that I had an ongoing and very similar issue with a Falcon many years ago. After many years of ongoing issues and a few different mechanics, one of them worked out it was a slightly mis-aligned pulley.

The Falcon used to throw fan belts (they would fray and hit the bonnet loudly) on a frequent and inconvenient basis to the point where I would keep spares in the car in case NRMA didn't have one.
They were only $20 and could be fitted by Roadside Assist - so if your dealer can get you them cheap enough, it might be worth picking up a spare or three just in case. Might save future towing and overnight (or longer) Hotel-VW stays.

[VWplo]

Thanks ill see how I go. Really hope it doesn't come to that

[nomadx38]

Thanks ill see how I go. Really hope it doesn't come to that

Hey just wondering, how long ago did you get a service done?

As part of every service they are required to check the engine belts. Independents should be checking but I know VW "must" (whether they actually are is another story)

Chances are if it was checked as ok a couple of thousand KM's ago it would be more likely that a foreign object has destroyed the belt rather than a miss alignment of the alternator / tensioner / idler etc.

[VWplo]

Hey just wondering, how long ago did you get a service done?

As part of every service they are required to check the engine belts. Independents should be checking but I know VW "must" (whether they actually are is another story)

Chances are if it was checked as ok a couple of thousand KM's ago it would be more likely that a foreign object has destroyed the belt rather than a miss alignment of the alternator / tensioner / idler etc.

Last service was late August. So it's only been 2 months

[VWplo]

Though I think this has only started happening very recently. Aka something has contacted the belt and caused the wear to occur

[amazeer]

Though I think this has only started happening very recently. Aka something has contacted the belt and caused the wear to occur

It seems obvious something is rubbing on the belt as the markings are rubbed off all the way around. What is that bit of rubber at the top of the picture that goes right to the outer edge of the pulley? Is that still attached to the belt or a broken off piece caught up on the pulley?

I just had a feel around my car (hard to do!) to find what it could be. Has a bolt come loose somewhere and is now rubbing on the belt? A hose clamp? Only other thing I can think of is that a schmuck left one of their tools under your bonnet at the service and it has dropped in some cavity and been rubbing. I wonder if you have a screwdriver or spanner resting in your under tray.

The only thing more puzzling than your problem is that a dealer needs to order in a normal everyday stock service item.

[nomadx38]

^After 30,000 or so you will notice all the markings on the belt will start to fade - trust me this is considered normal. You have to remember the rubber doesn't stick that well, especially when running on polished metal and plastic pulleys. These belts do slip (only by micron meters when properly tensioned) but it slips either way. It's for this reason that the belt has to be replaced at one stage.

Dirt, sand and grit also break it down faster...

And it's not exactly a stock item either. I think these belts are due to be changed at 120k or 210k km. It's usually a service job and they order the parts in for the service. I had the same thing with my HT leads. They are designed "for life" and thus never needed to be changed so when I ordered them in I had to wait a day for them to arrive from head office.

[VWplo]

^

And it's not exactly a stock item either. I think these belts are due to be changed at 120k or 210k km.

yup thats what they told me at least. they said they basically never have to change those belts, hence why they didnt have any in stock

[VWplo]

ummmmmm so just got off the phone with the VW they said its all good to go. But when i asked why the belt was so badly worn they said "general wear and tear". yeh i dont think so