My 03 octavia tdi 110 started with a little squeak from alternator belt i left it a day as it is being mot'd monday and was going to get garage to sort it but friday sounded like something came off the car as i was driving. The belt is still intact but loose, is it likely that the tensioner could have fell off or lost part of it? I would be greatful is somebody has any pointers that may help?

Cheers guys and gals

Is the aircon still working?

Scottybob,

I just had to change my alternator on 110Tdi. simillar noise to a belt squeeking but it was the alternator pulley that failed, it's a fairly common problem. Alternator was £119 + VAT from euro car parts. Wasn't as simple to change as the haynes manual said but wasn't impossible.

If you release the aux belt tension and then try and wiggle the alternator pulley side to side there shouldn't be any free play, just try poking it with a finger if it moves and makes a noise it's almost certainly knackered, same goes if it doesn't rotate smoothly.

Edited 18 April, 201016 yr by smileonimpact

I put the aircon on this morning and it seemed to work but it was cold outside anyway. Hopefully it wont be the alternator but its having mot today so the garage is going to look at alternator for me as i havent really got the time.

Thanks for the info

IIRC the Alternator has a replaceable pulley on it that can fail.

Edited 19 April, 201016 yr by cheezemonkhai

Thanks for reply and you are right the pulley sheared off the alternator!! So a new pulley and belt required but put it through mot and it also needs a new cat and discs and pads at the front so a big repair bill in the first month of ownership, hopefully not the start of any more. Anybody know if £160 is a good price for a new cat fitted? And also £125 for discs and pads up front? Taken the shine off being so impressed with the car.

e. Anybody know if £160 is a good price for a new cat fitted? And also £125 for discs and pads up front?

Just get it de-catted, diesels don't need a cat to pass an MOT

Front disks (pair): £45 (inc vat)

Front pads (4/axle): £22 (inc vat)

Prices for Pragid parts from Eurocarparts (just the first which came to hand)

I agree on the decat and as above pads and discs are not too bad and not too expensive.

Only thing I'd say, is make sure if you DIY you have a big/heavy hammer, as the discs really didn't want to come off for me.

Only thing I'd say, is make sure if you DIY you have a big/heavy hammer, as the discs really didn't want to come off for me.

An impact driver might help for undoing the grub screws too. I snapped one of mine off :-( Walking boot (attached to foot) can work in a similar fashion to that of a hammer :-)

Front caliper (if FSIII) will need a 7mm allen key, ideally on a socket drive, picked up a nice get from Halfords, and for once did not feel like I had been ripped off!

Edited 20 April, 201016 yr by mbames

Thanks I have got garage to do brakes as I would prob be struggling for time but the decat sounds good! I thought all modern cars had to have them. How much and where do you get decat pipes from? A few bhp's aswell!! Might make 112bhp! Lol

Thanks for info guys, what a top forum!

I have played with my front brakes a few times, and I would not expect to spend much more than 30-45 mins per side (inc taking the wheel off & jacking up), especially if your changing all the parts (less to clean up). A g-clamp and a piece of wood to *gently* push the piston back in too.

Someone recently on here did a TDi decat, I *think* they just had the cat cut out and a section of pipe welded in and paid about £50. You might make it to 111bhp , turbo spools up a bit faster as there are less air restrictions in the pipe

Thanks, I will look into a decat pipe!