UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi there. First post so please be gentle. I've had a search through this forum to see if anyone else has had this problem but can't seem to find anything.

I have a '95 1.3 MKIV Polo (is the 1.3 engine from the MKIII I think just before they started using the 1.4) - should I post this in the MKIII forum aswell?

Anyway...just recently I've started getting this very strange and very noticeable rattle - almost grinding type noise - which you can only hear at certain revs (about 1500) when whatever it is starts to resonate. With a mate keeping the revs constant so it makes the noise i've stuck my head under the hood. Is definately coming from the left hand side down around the cam-belt. The cam-belt was changed 6000 miles ago and has been fine.

I'm thinking it could be somewhere around the alternater or maybe a knackered bearing in something? or maybe the cam-belt tentioner wheel?

Is definately not the clutch release bearings.

Has anyone got any ideas or had this before? Any suggestions are very much appreciated! I hope it's not serious!!

I would have said the exhaust heat shield first of all - but after reading your post it might be worth getting it looked at, especially if it's a water pump bearing or such like.....

check timing belt (tensioners!) or air conitioning system?!?!

there only guesses from family member experiences, but the air con was more of a squeal

hope it helps

Thanks for all your suggestions. It's scary to think how many possible things it could have been!

As I went to loosen the alternator to take off the belt I found the problem. I undid the bolt on the bottom bracket holding the alternator on and it fell into 2 pieces in my hand. The solid metal bracket had snapped in half. Probably because it was old and brittle. So took it off, welded it back together and bob's your uncle, fanny's yer aunt. Quiet as a mouse (well...almost) once again.

Thanks

Matt