Mrs just back from a 200 mile trip in yesterday's weather and there's a grinding, whirring sort of noise from the pulley end of the engine. Can't feel any loose pulleys and no debris visible or damage to the belt. What could it be?

May have got very wet yesterday but could be coincidence. She's been driving it like that today and says it's not behaving strangely other than the noise.

Should I just get it in the local VAG specialist?

Thanks

Mitch

It could be a bearing in a tentioner if its comein from that side of the engine try takein the aux belt of than start car see if noise is still there

Water Pump may be? Mine had quarter of an inch play on the bearing after doing only 26,000 miles. fitted a Febi all metal one.

or the alternator clutch----------may-be

Thanks for the replies. I've had an alternator clutch go before on the other car but this doesn't sound the same. I'll try with the belt off, if it still does it then it's chain tensioners and if not it could be water pump or the alternator clutch then. Hope it's nothing big, just had new tyres and getting our central heating boiler replaced tomorrow, never rains but it pours...

8v? The chain has no tensioner and is prone to getting noisy as it loosens. So long as it's not all that noisy you could leave it.

Bear in mind VAG specialists might not have much direct experience of the 1.4 8v as it's a Skoda engine (not VW), but not that it should be a challenging job for a good garage to replace the chain anyway. If getting it done, bear in mind the timing chain marking issues previously discussed in these forums.

Our MPi has it as well...I think. Whirring/clattering/grinding..pulley side, as you say.

How in the name of chuff do you get the damn aux belt off?!? Haynes is vague at best. I can see the alternator, the aircon pump etc, but no obvious way of removing the belt?

I know they can be a bit rattly, we had a 1.3 Felicia before this, but this has suddenly come on and sounds pretty bad.

To get the drive belt off I think you slacken the alternator mounts and slide it over to release the tension. It wraps around a fair few pulleys doesn't it? Hope I get it back on the same route

Belt comes off fairly easily - loosen the bolt on top of the alternator where it mounts to the slider and the bolt on the slider where it mounts to the engine then push the alternator toward the engine and there'll be enough slack to get the belt out.

Anyway...

Noise stops when belt is off so water pump or alternator clutch I think. The noise isn't there much at idle but very noticeable when it's revved.

Also in desperate need of a new belt so just as well I had to check it. Every cloud etc.

Does that removal method also apply to ones with the aircon fitted?

Could potentially be a hydraulic valve lifter, checked th oil recently?

Don't know about air con, don't have such luxuries. Even the electric windows are only part time

Had a diagnosis - the water pump. Local independent VAG specialist have it now.