Being new to car ownership, I'm learning lots from reading this forum's postings. Thanks to all of you.
My problem is a 1997 VW Polo 1.9 L Diesel. It's shredded 6 'fan' (alternator, coolant pump & power steering) belts in 4 months, with only 2000 miles done. The ribbed V belts look like they've been scored into between the 4th & 5th rib. Three garages can't see any rubbing & are at a loss. £600 has not remedied the problem. Any ideas are more than welcome. Interestingly, alignment seems ok, but the alternator pulley has 6 grooves, whereas the belts & other pulleys only have 5!?!
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Interestingly, alignment seems ok, but the alternator pulley has 6 grooves, whereas the belts & other pulleys only have 5!?!
Alternator pulley looks like the answer ie wrong pulley
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Steve
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Have you checked the 'pitch' on each of the pulleys is the same?
If one has more grooves but same pitch I cannot see that causing the problem, unless the belt is fitted incorrectly on this pulley. Could it be that alignment is correct when fitted, but it then jumps a groove or 2? Have you checked it between fitting and before it self destructs?
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pmh (was peter)
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Steve
I reckon you're right. Sounds as though the alternator's been replaced for one with the wrong pulley.
JS
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Thanks to you all (Steve, Peter & John). It's good to know there's help out there.
I've examined the 'undertray' situated below the engine to keep road muck off. It doesn't seem fixed securely & presumably could ride up, combined with a lack of fan belt casing (mechanic seemed to have removed the remaining portion as he thought it was distorted & may be rubbing the belt), might explain the apparent scoring between the 4th & 5th rib. A VW mechanic suggested that over rigorous removal of a fan belt damages the weighted/balanced bottom crank pulley's central rubber, thereby putting it out of alignment. However, the latest mechanic can see no such damage. Hhhhhhmmmmm.... :-( (yesterday the belt showed possible fraying on nearside (to engine), so had to ferry my Son by buses (deep joy!). ;-(
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surprised they have not sorted it out yet?.untill the pulley is replaced I see no change ie *it will keep eating belts*IMO they are looking in the wrong direction
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Steve
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Could it be the engine mounts. Obviously when the engines not running it's difficult to see where the gouging or shredding could be taking place, but when the engines under load if the engine mounts are in poor condition that thing can jump around quite a bit and cause a whole host of problems - get the engine mounts checked and replaced
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Thanks jvb & Steve (again). I've removed the black plastic undertray (beneath the engine). It was easy as instead of being secured by 8 screws, there was only 1!
This affords greater visbility of the 5 pulleys, 2 of which are flat (not ribbed) pulleys/tensioners. I suspect a flat pulley for causing excessive wear of the belt, as they both seem a little unsmooth.
I believe that eventually I'll need fan belt casing & the undertray replaced, to protect the belt/engine from the road.
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Hi,
Latest update. Took the VW to a garage that specializes in VW. Instead of examining the fan belt as instructed, they MoT'd it & estimated £650 of unrelated work! When they asked when it was last MoT'd & I said "last week". They asked why I wanted it MoT'd then? To which I said "I didn't, I just wanted the fan belt looked at". They didn't charge me! However, unpredicable problem fan belt remains. Maybe seizing of pulley bearings? Or having looked at it, I reckon on the flat bottom pulley being dented/lipped, maybe the cause. Any ideas please? Also, can I just bin the engine's undertray as it's a bit damaged & doesn't seem too secure. Cheers all.
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Had a similar problem with my daughter's car. The tensioner was u/s and the belt was touching itself at slow speeds. Tensioner shaft had worn away in its aluminium casting, apparently a common fault on Polo diesels. I renewed the complete item, ie shaft body and spring and have had no problems since. Tried to get parts 2nd hand but no luck. Cost about £175 from Volkswagon.
Some advise, remove lock carrier (Haynes show you how to do it) Takes about 30 minutes. Makes job easy (!) Also move belt tensioner using shaft protrusion at spring tensioner when fitting new belt, u can get more movement
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Hi, Latest update. Took the VW to a garage that specializes in VW. Instead of examining the fan belt as instructed, they MoT'd it & estimated £650 of unrelated work! When they asked when it was last MoT'd & I said "last week". They asked why I wanted it MoT'd then? To which I said "I didn't, I just wanted the fan belt looked at".
So VW specialist MOT's your car and find £650 of work to, i assume get it thru' the MOT. Was the MOT done the previous week carried out at a reputable garrage, if so report the VW specialist to trading standards/ VOSPA.
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Hi All, SUCCESS!!!!!!!!
Thanks for all your contributions, since 26/10/05. I risked a visit to the car's 5th garage! This time the mechanic listened to my current view (damaged pulley(s) & possibly seized bearings). I supplied all my paperwork & the cleanest/tidiest garage seemed to have sorted the problem.
The mechanic removed bottom crank & water pump pulleys. Studs were seized/cross threaded & had to be drilled out. He reckoned that a heavy handed mechanic wielding a hammer had struggled removing/fitting the pulley(s) & had damaged them in the process . Solved... I think! This 'little' problem cost £800 in total. Crikey! I'd better get a job! Thanks again all.
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