Our 2010 Fabia 1.9 Tdi has developed a noisy chatter sound which I think is coming from the alternator , the car has only covered 12,000 since new .

Has anyone else experienced this sort of problem

Is this when the engine is hot, cold, or all the time.? Is the sound rhythmic (regular chatter or erratic). Hydraulic tappets (a hydraulic tappet as in 'one') sometimes let go (not often on these engines) and that can sound a bit weird. Obviously, don't know what it sounds like yet but it could just be the alternator belt making some noise as it comes under a bit more load in the cooler weather. It may be a bit on the slack side.

Edited 14 November, 201114 yr by Estate Man

Is this when the engine is hot, cold, or all the time.? Is the sound rhythmic (regular chatter or erratic). Hydraulic tappets (a hydraulic tappet as in 'one') sometimes let go (not often on these engines) and that can sound a bit weird. Obviously, don't know what it sounds like yet but it could just be the alternator belt making some noise as it comes under a bit more load in the cooler weather. It may be a bit on the slack side.

Hi the noise is more or less as soon as the car warms up , it a sort of chattery sound coming direct from the Alternator and started last week .

I have a good ear for thing's and noticed it as soon as it occurred .

It definitely from the alternator as far as I can ascertain and wondered if the bearing is faulty

Steven, yes it could have a faulty bearing. It's not unheard of on any car. If it happens once the car has warmed up it probably rules out belt tension or worn belt. I'd get it looked at by your dealer just to be sure.

Update : had my fabia in yesterday and would you believe it the alternator was quiet with no chattery sound , bloody typical as soon as I left the dealership it started again. Grrr

Its booked in for second year service in two weeks time so they can investigate it further.

Just hope they can get to the bottom of this problem because I'm driving to Benidorm in January and don't want it breaking down on the Costa's