Hi.

Driving back from work today my 1.9TDI battery light kicked in (flashing), and opening my window i could hear a damn noisey rythmic squeaking sound. From my uneducated viewpoint, i think the belt tensioner's gone, but not sure.

What's the going rate ( labour) for putting a new belt on an alternator, and who would you recommend in the waterlooville/portsmouth/fareham area to do the work?

Unfort i have to drive to cheltenham in the afternoon, so will put on 300 miles before it's fixed. Is this likely to cause damage, other than me not being able to start the car in the morning from a flat battery?

Ta!

Hi wolfsbane,

I think I have had a similar problem on my fabi SDi recently, if you wanted to get the belt changed then I could do it for you. I'm not qualified but I've changed mine and its a simple job.

But probably best look at it first.

If the car is still running i doubt it will do too much more damage

Thanks for the offer! Unfort i managed to fracture a suspension coil in the morning so had to get it into a garage anyway, so got my local mech to do both coil and belt for 130, of which 66 was labour. Would still be interested in a diesel specialist down here if you know of one!

I dont know of a diesel specialist but i do know of a VAG specialist in the area is JKM, come very recommended and as far as I know are based just off the eastern road.

They sponsor Briskoda if I'm not much mistaken