Hello,
I have a 1997 1.4 Polo, 8v. {Added to header so people can see before opening post - DD}
The engine is now making an intermittent whining noise. The note changes with engine revs (not road speed - noticeable when revving in neutral).
The car has done c. 50,000 miles. Serviced regularly. Cambelt changed about 2 years ago at 45,000 miles (mileage was 5,000 to then - now more c. 3,000)
Instinct suggest the alternator belt might be slipping with age - although I'd expect a more squealing noise in that case. Any ideas?
thanks,
Rob.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 28/10/2007 at 13:43
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Rob
Were the cam-belt tensioner and water pump replaced as well?
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I don't think so. Work was done by a small local garage.
The problems with water pumps tend to be confined to 16v engines with the plastic impellers.
I've not seen similar reports on 8v engines.
Anyway, my wife's car - I asked her to get the local mechanic to check the cambelt when the car was serviced - he said belt showed signs of wear.
I should the whine appeared after a high speed run on the M40. I didn't thrash the engine, but the car had a sustained 90mph run when it spends most of life doing short runs around town.
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The problems with water pumps tend to be confined to 16v engines with the plastic impellers.
What have impellors got to do with bearing failure? [Many 8v are plastic too.]
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I've dug out the receipt for the work from late '04.
A lot had to be done on non-related items. The 'parts' section of the bill mentions a cambelt @£18.75
Its a local garage, not a VW specialist. I assume the water pump wasn't changed. I have no idea if the guy fitted a tensioner. Could be that he bought a cambelt kit.
Anyway, going to book the car to go in to be looked at, for later this week.
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Ok, so I eventually got it serviced. New water pump (they mentioned it was a sod to get off - had seized on), cambelt (got them to change it as part of the pump), replaced flange on cooling system (leaking), new aux belt (was splitting -might have been causing the whining).
The car passed the MOT but there's an advisory on replacing the front bushes and there's a small split in one of the CV boots.
Any views on labour costs to do this bits of work (for the next MoT, Spring '09). My VW specialist in London charges £58/hr +VAT.
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"The car passed the MOT " "and there's a small split in one of the CV boots."
Instant fail in my book! makes me wonder about the quality of the mot , and therefore other advice.
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Its passed before with a small split in the CV boot - at a different test centre. Rather implies its a pinprick.
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The mot test is quite clear on driveshaft gaiters. Any split and its a fail; so if it was put as advise it is very misleading. Opens them up to big cans of worms if you wanted to be so inclined. It either has a split or it doesnt!
The actual wording is. reason for fail: An outer constant velocity joint gaiter missing, SPLIT, or insecurely mounted to its housing.
Cv boot is £40 area depending on part of country. Bushes depends on what bushes?
Suspension lower arms are around about an hour each + the parts.
Edited by yorkiebar on 19/02/2008 at 22:58
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to eliminate your altenator belt theory take it off & run the engine (for a short period only) to see if it goes away. could also be timing belt tensioner.
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Hmm.
Well the service which include replacement of water pump, cambelt, tensioners and aux (alt.) belt has cured the whining.
My tame VW specialist reported the issue of the suspension bushes as an advisory on the service plus the CV boot.
I was asking on the labour time for the bushes - doesn't look too bad. Ditto the CV boot.
These items ought to be looked before the next MOT.
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