Squeaking problem under the hood

[Copperhead TDI]

Ok guys,........
I thought I had an issue with my small elec fan that activates when I use my A/C,.......... and I still might, but that doesn't appear to be my problem at the moment.

The squealing is very apparent when you turn the steeeing wheel at idle, but it's hardly noticable when you're driving above 1500rpm. So, I got my wife to turn the wheel while idling in my driveway as I looked under the hood to see if I could pinpoint the source of the noise.

It was really hard to tell where it was coming from, but one thing I did notice was, when she was working the wheel back & forth, I noticed the tensioner jumping around a lot. I think i remember reading somewhere that my problem may be as simple as an alternator pulley?

Has anyone had a similar issue as this?

 

[Copperhead TDI]

Well,........

I removed the serp. belt and all the pulleys spun freely, so I'm assuming it's either the pump or the steering rack going out?

What's the general consensus?

BTW,........
This is an 04 model w/ less than 90k on it,....... and very well kept.

 

[TDI4all]

I do not believe that you alternator pulley should spin free. It is a clutch pulley. If it is black in color it is a cheap China brand.(just like mine was.) Also your tensioner should not jump around a lot. I had the same problem on my 04 pd.
I replaced the alternator pulley,the tensioner and the belt. She runs like a champ. You might be able to just replace the pulley and be good to go.

 

[Seatman]

Well it'll spin free unless you lock it up somehow, you need to lock it up then see if the pulley turns one way only, as said it should be clutched and a common sign of it failing is the tensioner bouncing.

 

[Copperhead TDI]

After calling a freind of mine that used to be a VW dealership tech, I think I've determined it's a weak tensioner. I put moderate pressure on it while turning the wheels at idle and the noise went away.

 

[Seatman]

I'm sorry, I know it's a friend but seriously, I've never heard of a tensioner bounce for any other reason than a bad alternator pulley. My tensioner wouldn't bounce even if I took off the shock absorber thing. A slight squeak, maybe a dicky tensioner, a bouncy one, most likely the clutch pulley.

By all means go ahead and replace it but it's free to test the alternator pulley and around $50 I think to buy. I would test it first before throwing any money away.

 

[Copperhead TDI]

Changed out the tensioner with one from Id Parts and my problem is fixed.