Please excuse the cheek but:

I have a problem with wifes my 1.9 (130) 04 plate Toledo (I do own a Superb so I'm not really an "outsider". I've been on the Seat forum and it's just nowhere as good as this forum!)

The problem is, is that it's making a sort of light metalic tinkle / rattle from the alternator area. I've replaced the aux drive belt as it's been on the car since new and has now done over 140k. I did check the tensioner for roughness and free play in the pulley bearing and the same for the alternator but both did seem okay but obviously there was no tension actually on them at the time. If you look at the tensioner it seems to judder quite a bit, not sure if that's normal. If you slighlty increase the engine speed the problem goes away.

Has anybody got any ideas what the problem might be. Don't want to replace the alternator to find that it's still doing it.

Thanks for your time.

I've recently replaced the tensioner on a friends 130BHP PD golf, the tensioner bounced when the steering was on full lock and / or aircon on. The tensioner cured the bounce. 2 months later the pulley fell to pieces on the alternator, it incorporates a clutch and it fell apart.

The tensioner felt OK when turned by hand and cost £55 from VW, the alty pulley was £45 fitted from a small auto electrician.

Both are common VAG faults.

The chances are the alternator pulley has had it - the clutch in it is one the way out. This has in turn knackered the tensioner. Change the pulley, tensioner and aux belt.

The bits should cost less than £100 though you will need a special tool to remove the pulley from the alternator which will cost £20-50 depending on which one you buy.

The chances are the alternator pulley has had it - the clutch in it is one the way out. This has in turn knackered the tensioner. Change the pulley, tensioner and aux belt.

The bits should cost less than £100 though you will need a special tool to remove the pulley from the alternator which will cost £20-50 depending on which one you buy.

+1 for alternator pulley.

I got a friendly VW place to actually change the pulley for me (once I had got the alternator off the car). I changed my tensioner too (as it had started to leak a bit)

+1 for alternator pulley.

I got a friendly VW place to actually change the pulley for me (once I had got the alternator off the car). I changed my tensioner too (as it had started to leak a bit)

The tensioner is cheaper and simpler on the 130PD engine because it doesn't have the damper like the version on the 110 injection pump engine. I bet it is still the source of the tinking noise though. You should be able to see it vibrating.

Had alternator refurbed and a new pulley fitted, now everything okay!

Had alternator refurbed and a new pulley fitted, now everything okay!

You may find that the tensioner is worn though, but it is an easy thing to swap and costs less than £30. I changed one on a Ford galaxy in literally 5 minutes.