Hi all,

My MK2 Caddy 1.9d has started making a really horrid noise. It's quote a whining noise, will almost grinding. I'm pretty sure it's the belt tensioner that you can see in the photo.

I'm hoping it's not the alternator, buat can anyone give me some suggestions, is it likely to be that? If so, can someone help me find a part number for it. Also what else should be changed if I'm doing it?

Thanks

Jim

If the alternator is on a separate belt and it's easy to remove and put back on you could remove the belt and see what difference that makes to the noise but it doesn't fully pin things down. You are assuming where the noise(s) originate you need to confirm, putting a (mechanics) stethoscope or large screwdriver in that area with the engine running would be very foolish even if possible, even an electronic kit would be difficult in that location.

For the car, home, bikes, garage, etc., etc., many have a can of the of WD-40 Multi-Use - well give that away and instead get a can of GT85 and use that instead - shake the can before use, put the red straw on, carefully spray into just the alternator bearing area. Start the car and see if there's any difference to the noise. If so so that's probably what it is, or at least one of the noises. Then spray at centre of tensioner wheel, any difference to sound, if so another point of noise at least.

If you are really lucky and the noise(s) wasn't too bad to begin with and it was grit/muck you might have washed/spun some out, this has worked on a couple of old water pumps on cars in the past (and the pumps didn't fall apart after). But if you can hear the noise(s) over the clatter of a diesel engine then probably you're not going to be that lucky.

I saw a video years back where a chap revived an old seized alternator by soaking it in engine oil IIRC. Much of car servicing, maintenance and some repairs just boil down to clean and lubricate (mechanics are just cleaners often).

GT85 is a good longer lubricant (than WD-40 Multi-Use) also a good penetrating/releasing fluid, can be used for some cleaning, has PTFE instead of silicone and smells nice (always important 😁).

I used to use GT85 in the 1980s on my pushbikes, it was a British company then but like so many others isn't now, took over by a large invasive American corporation called - WD-40 Company! (Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola all over again).

There some info you asked for, a lot you didn't and a history lesson, never mind the quality feel the width. 😁 There was actually a bit of quality.

Er, no I'm not on commission for GT85 and generally I'd not promote an American (or other) company unless it products I have found to be good (with years of use).

Let us know how you get on, GT85, WD-40 Multi-Use or any other. Good luck.

GT85 - https://gt85.co.uk/

9 hours ago, CptAhab said:

I'm pretty sure it's the belt tensioner

For instance anything (from few drops or water or a small burst of WD-40) will make the squeeking sound of the belt to stop for a while but it can not stop if it's from a pulley.

First find if it's belt or not and then try to spot a sound from a metal part using a long screwdriver this way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U927cYhQXB4

Edited 22 May22 May by D.FYLAKTOS

It might be a language thing but sorry but you have missed both my points, .

You do not spray the belt (thought it might help some belts with some squeals, not squeaks, but that's another matter).

CptAhab is reporting a whining noise which more likely comes from bearings.

Stopping or reducing the noise points to an area of origin of a sound.

Noises are very difficult to pin down sometimes and an assumption of belt tensioner needs confirming or eliminating.

You could start at tensioner but alternator has also been mentioned, I would start with whichever is easiest to get at first.

A big screwdriver might be used for things on the top of the engine, but then there is still a lot of risk to engine and much more importantly person with a running engine, some people have very thick skulls so might not feel or suffer some much damage as others. Using a big screwdriver in more restricted areas with the engine running increases risks even more. Each to their own, I have never in my life seen a car worth my personal injury though I have injured myself working on cars. A little minor injury at one point in life can accumulate to a lot more latter in life.

Edited 22 May22 May by nta16
typo

13 hours ago, nta16 said:

You do not spray the belt (thought it might help some belts with some squeals, not squeaks, but that's another matter).

CptAhab is reporting a whining noise which more likely comes from bearings.

Stopping or reducing the noise points to an area of origin of a sound.

But that i was meaning, one by one you ''disqualify'' sectors and find the last one which must be the problematic point.

Many times due to the weather/environment (cold-moisture-dust) a driver can hear sound from that area especially in the morning cold start, has happened to me in the past, sometimes was nothing and stopped after few seconds, in one case was the belt, in another case was the pulley (dirt inside the grooves) and in another were the pulley's bearings.

If a drives has the car for long time with stock pulleys a change of all of them (with a new belt when it's time) would be a bad idea.