Clicking Noise Steering Belt Drive, Polo 9N3

Hello everyone,

This morning, after starting the engine (1.4L PD TDI, 432,000 km), I noticed the following:

A clicking sound can be heard in the area of the belt drive (serpentine belt, vehicle with air conditioning) when turning the steering wheel. After a few kilometers, the sound disappeared.

The power steering system in this Polo uses an electric pump. Therefore, steering the vehicle puts a greater load on the alternator, correct?

Can the tensioner make a clicking sound?
Or, to put it another way: it can't possibly be that the clicking sound is coming from the crankshaft, right?!

Regards,
Volker.

stolley wrote:

The power steering in this Polo uses an electric pump. Therefore, does steering result in a greater load on the alternator, correct?

Okay.

Quote:

Can the tensioner make a clicking sound?

Check the free-running mechanism of the generator, if present in this model (remove the belt and manually rotate the rotor abruptly in both directions). If the free-running mechanism is stuck, the arm with the tensioner usually starts to swing.

Roger wrote:

Check the freewheel of the generator, if present on this model (remove the belt, manually rotate the rotor abruptly in both directions). If the freewheel is stuck, the arm with the tensioner usually starts to swing.

Thank you for the tip!
I'll definitely check that out!