[Pat]

^^ RaT has it done it for 5 yrs? ie from new??

As posted in other threads mine too has the 'noise' - I'm going to change the drivebelt (?26 inc VAT from the dealership) at the weekend and see if it cures the problem. Mine seems to be more pronounced when the car (and the weather) is warm, and can be heard ever so slightly when the aircon is OFF too, which makes me think it 'could' be the belt..

I've checked my compressor pulley bolt, belt tensioner and fans and all are fine.. Its all a bit strange, but I can't leave it alone as it don't sound that cool does it??! hehe
cheers, Pat

 

[Pat]

Let us know how it goes Matt, I'd be very interested to know the source of the noise. I'm going to get the new drivebelt this aft and fit it if I've got time so I'll report back.

thanks, Pat

ps wonder if it's only people that have 'at' in their name that this problem affects?? Matt, RaT, Pat... hehe

 

[Pat]

It might not be...

'Unfortunately, VW dealers do not like to work on air conditioning systems and will often sub contract out any work to a local air conditioning specialist. A consequence of this approach is that the only likely course of action that a dealer will recommend is to replace the complete pump even if this is not actually the most cost effective solution to the problem. A replacement pump assembly will cost in the order of ?600 from a VW dealer. Even a new clutch assembly will cost around ?200 from a dealer, and unfortunately it is not currently possible to purchase any major components for the Sanden pumps from any other source.'

useful words from RallyChris's site
http://www.golfmk4.co.uk/air_conditioning_pump.htm

maybe take it to an aircon specialist or independent VW garage for a second opinion?

 

[Pat]

Quick update for you:-

I fitted the new drivebelt earlier on today and as yet (fingers crossed) NO MORE RATTLE!

woohoo am I a happy man. I'll run it for a few days and keep checking but it seems to have worked. I compared both belts old and new, the old one had stretched quite a bit compared with the new one.

5 mins of a job to fit too, can't be bad!

 

[Pat]

It was just shy of ?26 for the belt, from the dealers. I did mine in less than 5 mins without going in from the wheelarch (I have quite small arms and hands which no doubt helped!). Just use a 15mm spanner in a clockwise motion on the tensioner, insert a drill bit into the 2 holes that you will align when moving the tensioner, and the belt simply comes off the pulleys.

I still have no noise /touch wood/
Good luck mate