Hello.

I've recently detected a "grinding" noise coming from my 1.9TDI Octavia Tour (2007). It only occurs when accelerating and at above 2000RPM and seemingly only in low gears (first, second and third). Usually as soon as I hear it, I take my foot off and change up a gear.

The car just been serviced and got a clean bill of health, which adds to the mystery.

I was wondering if anyone could help me determine what could cause this - alternator perhaps?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Does it make the noise when in neutral ?

 

Could be the tensioner (aux drive belt, or cambelt), or the pulley on the alternator  (at a quick guess).

Thanks for the reply.   To be honest, I haven't tried revving it in neutral - I'll give it a go and report back.   Are any of the issues you mentioned serious?   I really need the car this week, so I'm hoping that if it's something that requires a trip to the garage that it can wait until next week.

If the pulley on the alternator breaks you won't have any power steering, alternator or aircon (if fitted).

 

As for the cambelt side - better safe than sorry.....