Hi guys. I have an 04 1.9tdi, i've had it only days and have hit my 1st snag. Power steering feels a bit ropey and it makes excess noise, i had a read on here and discovered it is no doubt my aux belt tensioner as it shakes like a sunovabitch, however I also read that a seized one way clutch thing on the alternator can cause them to fail. What part is this please, as I took a look at my alternator and it looks like the alternator off my old Polo to me, fairly plain, all I can see are small ali fins on the inside of the casing, is this what is being referred to?

I stabbed fins with a screwdriver to see if they would turn but they wouldnt, as its a fitted part. Can someone please explain where this one way clutch is please?

the OWC is inside the pulley and usually  makes a racket if it's not working properly   I would remove the belt then take a look at it

Ok thank you,  Doubt I'll be able to get belt off in my lunch break, but I'll have another nosey.  Oh well, learn a little every day.

Mine sheered off (the pulley from the alternator) and I was left with no alternator or PAS.  Limped the car to work and got it low-loaded home.

 

 

Full set of pictures

Whooa, that is defo past its best. I hope that doesn't happen to mine before I get mine in to be done. I'm gonna have cambelt and waterpump done aswell so now is a good time for my tensioner to fail, if there is a good time of course.