Possible Power Steering Problem

[pauleaton16]

ive recently had a new alternator pulley, tensioner and belt replaced on my 05, 1.9 tdi 130bhp galaxy. A couple of days after, more so in the mornings, i could hear a scretching noise, almost like a belt slipping which disappears once the vehicle is warmed up. I took the car back to the garage who examined all the parts they replaced and they believe everything is ok. The did however suggest that it is most likely the power steering pump which could have been damaged by the pulley problem sometime before. Does this sound like a genuine report. I dont want to go paying the price of

[bhbobhill]

This type of noise is usually associated with the alternator being put under a heavier load than is normal.

This is due to the battery requesting more output from the alternator, which puts pressure on the drivebelt which then slips for a short period while the battery regains its full charge. This happens usually after the starter motor has been used to start the car. Other things that cause high drain on the battery are heated screens. In this cold weather maybe having the front and rear screen heaters on while starting is another thing that will put a large drain on the system.

Bob Hill

[pauleaton16]

This type of noise is usually associated with the alternator being put under a heavier load than is normal.

This is due to the battery requesting more output from the alternator, which puts pressure on the drivebelt which then slips for a short period while the battery regains its full charge. This happens usually after the starter motor has been used to start the car. Other things that cause high drain on the battery are heated screens. In this cold weather maybe having the front and rear screen heaters on while starting is another thing that will put a large drain on the system.

Bob Hill

 

Thanks for the reply Bob

 

Would this still be the case even if we were not using anything like that as the car was just sitting idle after starting, when driving off the noise seems to dissppear. The only thing on in the car at that time would have been the stereo. Just curious to see if the garage was trying to pull a fast one on me lol

[bhbobhill]

It could even be mall adjustment of the belt. But without seeing it its difficult to diagnose. Hope I have pointed you in the right direction.

Regards

Bob Hill

[gregers]

are you getting the noise with the aircon turned on?

if so then it may be the aircon clutch plate wearing out,when mine went it sounded like a bunch of cats under the bonnet

then the thing fell off.

[chrispb123456]

Are you sure they actually changed the alternator clutch pulley and not just the tensioner pulley?

[pauleaton16]

Thanks everyone

 

From what i can see it all looks like new, they changed the pulley, tensioner and belt. I've got a feeling this is something caused by the garage but trying to prove it when im not a mechanic is difficult.

 

Gregers

 

i do have the aircon on when the engine is started which is when i first hear the noise, however did the noise you have continue all the time as mine disappears.

[bhbobhill]

Lets look at the history surrounding this problem. This didn't surface until you had work done, this included fan belt and tensioner. After fitting the problem appears,

this should surely tell us something.

Regards

Bob Hill

[chrispb123456]

ive recently had a new alternator pulley, tensioner and belt replaced on my 05, 1.9 tdi 130bhp galaxy. A couple of days after, more so in the mornings, i could hear a scretching noise, almost like a belt slipping which disappears once the vehicle is warmed up. I took the car back to the garage who examined all the parts they replaced and they believe everything is ok. The did however suggest that it is most likely the power steering pump which could have been damaged by the pulley problem sometime before. Does this sound like a genuine report. I dont want to go paying the price of

[pauleaton16]

Thanks guys, i've decided i'm going to get a second opinion from another garage. Do you think i should tell them that its a suspected pump or keep quiet and see what they come up with?

[bhbobhill]

Don't ever suggest a fault diagnosis, just the symptoms.

Regards

Bob Hill

[BrummyGit]

I'm getting a very similar problem on my 2005 TDi 150.

 

My symptoms are a screech or squeel only under heavy acceleration normally on full Turbo boost in 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear from 1700 h 2000 rpm. It is worse when cold but still happens when warm and sounds like its coming from the aux belt or dash area.

 

My history is that I recently had the Turbo replaced due to catastrophic failure, and the car returned with this noise. The VW specialist that swapped the Turbo can't find a problem/cause but the alternator and pulley have just been swapped due to alternator problems and the noise is still there. The tensioner on the aux belt is relatively recent.

 

The only thought I have is that there was a reasonable amount of oil spraying around during the Turbo failure and the AA accidentally starting it without a dipstick.

 

I'm desperate to find the cause as I'm terrified I could destroy another Turbo, but I don't think the noise is directly related to Turbo speed/boost levels. It sounds belt related.

 

Thanks

 

Steve

Edited February 17, 2012 by BrummyGit

[chrispb123456]

When you say alternator swapped is this a new alternator with a new pulley on it or is it secondhand, as the seized clutch pulley is quite a common fault and is what usually causes this problem, if the drive belt has been contaminated with oil you may also need to change it.

[BrummyGit]

When you say alternator swapped is this a new alternator with a new pulley on it or is it secondhand, as the seized clutch pulley is quite a common fault and is what usually causes this problem, if the drive belt has been contaminated with oil you may also need to change it.

 

It was an alternator including new pulley, but the noise is identical both before and after that swap so I'm pretty sure it's not the cause. I might change the belt as a precaution.

[chrispb123456]

If you still have your old alternator you can test the clutch by placing a screwdriver in the fan blades the pulley should turn easily anticlockwise but should be locked in the clockwise direction.

[BrummyGit]

I don't have the old alternator as it was an exchange unit, but the noise started after the turbo replacement. The alternator was swapped about a month later and swapped again a few days later because the garage initially fitted a 90 amp unit instead of a120 amp. On that basis I think I can safely rule out the alternator pulley based on identical symptoms with 3 alternators and pulleys.

 

Its going in this week for a new aux belt and to get the guide pulley checked as I'm told by the VW specialist that a guide pulley can make the same noise as a screeching belt.

 

It's strange that both of us have only started with this problem after the car has been for work.