Strange noise and frayed fan belt (1.2 tsi)

[VWplo]

Though I think this has only started happening very recently. Aka something has contacted the belt and caused the wear to occur

[amazeer]

Though I think this has only started happening very recently. Aka something has contacted the belt and caused the wear to occur

It seems obvious something is rubbing on the belt as the markings are rubbed off all the way around. What is that bit of rubber at the top of the picture that goes right to the outer edge of the pulley? Is that still attached to the belt or a broken off piece caught up on the pulley?

I just had a feel around my car (hard to do!) to find what it could be. Has a bolt come loose somewhere and is now rubbing on the belt? A hose clamp? Only other thing I can think of is that a schmuck left one of their tools under your bonnet at the service and it has dropped in some cavity and been rubbing. I wonder if you have a screwdriver or spanner resting in your under tray.

The only thing more puzzling than your problem is that a dealer needs to order in a normal everyday stock service item.

[nomadx38]

^After 30,000 or so you will notice all the markings on the belt will start to fade - trust me this is considered normal. You have to remember the rubber doesn't stick that well, especially when running on polished metal and plastic pulleys. These belts do slip (only by micron meters when properly tensioned) but it slips either way. It's for this reason that the belt has to be replaced at one stage.

Dirt, sand and grit also break it down faster...

And it's not exactly a stock item either. I think these belts are due to be changed at 120k or 210k km. It's usually a service job and they order the parts in for the service. I had the same thing with my HT leads. They are designed "for life" and thus never needed to be changed so when I ordered them in I had to wait a day for them to arrive from head office.

[VWplo]

^

And it's not exactly a stock item either. I think these belts are due to be changed at 120k or 210k km.

yup thats what they told me at least. they said they basically never have to change those belts, hence why they didnt have any in stock

[VWplo]

ummmmmm so just got off the phone with the VW they said its all good to go. But when i asked why the belt was so badly worn they said "general wear and tear". yeh i dont think so

[nomadx38]

It wouldn't be like VW if they didn't spin you at least some crap.

If it was "wear and tear" as they claim why did they replace it?

They don't replace wear and tear items like brakes / belts etc

[AndrewBurns]

They probably have no idea what caused it so are just thinking "may as well replace it and hope it doesn't happen again". At least it's fixed!

[VWplo]

either that or they are just avoiding having it covered under warranty and having to front the bill. Im not even worried about it being covered under warrenty. i would just rather know that its not just gonna happen again. Seems rediculous that i can be told one thing by the head machanic yesterday, and then somthing completely different by the service guy today.

oh well at least its fixed for now