Hi all - recently my PD115 B5 has had a whining emitting from what I assume is a pulley, or tensioner. It has slowly been getting worse (it's more prominent in the cabin and mainly low RPM) to the point where it now sounds supercharged!
The pitch of the noise changes under load (so If I apply rear heated screen, or operate the windows) and I've noticed the voltage will drop to 12 while steering is applied, it feels like extra strain is being applied while steering.
Unrelated but I've been running without an undertray for months - in heavy rain it can make the belt slip and stop charging the alternator briefly. Not sure it's related.
Gut feeling is alternator pulley - it's probably original. Or the tensioner itself. EuroCarParts are doing a full alternator for £51. I know it'd be cheaper to do just the pulley, but for the sake of £50 I'm happy to do the alternator.
Anyone ideas on the whine? Is this usually indicative of a failing pulley? Thank you.
The pitch of the noise changes under load (so If I apply rear heated screen, or operate the windows) and I've noticed the voltage will drop to 12 while steering is applied, it feels like extra strain is being applied while steering.
Unrelated but I've been running without an undertray for months - in heavy rain it can make the belt slip and stop charging the alternator briefly. Not sure it's related.
Gut feeling is alternator pulley - it's probably original. Or the tensioner itself. EuroCarParts are doing a full alternator for £51. I know it'd be cheaper to do just the pulley, but for the sake of £50 I'm happy to do the alternator.
Anyone ideas on the whine? Is this usually indicative of a failing pulley? Thank you.