Ticking noise from the alternator

[ALIAHMET]

I have a ticking noise coming from the alternator

Is it the pulley? if so what is best, replacing the alternator complete or just the pulley?

[r5gtt]

Hi,

How can you confirm that the pulley is ticking as pulleys don't tick but more rubble under tension.
Maybe the alternator or something else Auxiliary belt tensioner failing? Can you upload a video of this problem?.

Thanks

[The Red Warrior]

Could be the alternator pulley. They use a one way bearing clutch so that it drives one way and free wheels the other. Mine was making a bit of ticking noise recently and was also getting a small squeak from the belt when taking off from stationary.
Just take the belt off and check that it free wheels one way. You need to stop the alternator turning by jamming something in it, such as a screwdriver or Allen key.
After replacing mine it's nice and quiet and squeak has gone too. Only a 10 minute job to replace too.

Just found this thread too:
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,104086.0.html

It shows you the tensioner and tells you what size spanner you need to move it to release the tension on the belt. To hold it in the no-belt-tension position you insert a 4mm Allen key through a hole in the tensioner by the lug that the spanner is on and into another hole that lines up on the engine.

[ALIAHMET]

I had a look at the alternator and I can clearly see that there is obvious signs of ware from the pulley, I can see the bush filling dust coming from the alternator.

My questions are,
 
A: is it worth replacing just the pulley or a complete alternator unit
B: do I need a VAG to reset any potential error codes (as I will need to disconnect the battery and the connector for the alternator)
C: Is it worth me replacing the auxiliary belt at the same time?

[dazza]

Does the pulley free wheel one way?

[r5gtt]

dazza

The only way to know if it free wheels is to take the slack off the belt or remove it and then check the wheel itself.

The filings would usually come from internals.

[dazza]

Mine would not free wheel.

I had a nightmare getting the pulley off snapped two torx bits, had to take the alternator out and do it on the bench. 

In the end i used the impact wrench flicked it clockwise then anticlockwise a few times and it came off.

[r5gtt]

Mine would not free wheel.

I had a nightmare getting the pulley off snapped two torx bits, had to take the alternator out and do it on the bench. 

In the end i used the impact wrench flicked it clockwise then anticlockwise a few times and it came off.

I have the correct tool for this job but the alternator needs to be out to  impact it off as I did an audi A3 one last year and there's no way it was coming off any other way 

[Scottymon]

As above impact required to save yourself swearing too much... I've replaced the pulley at 80k but just recently at 150k bought a second hand alternator from ebay with a pulley on, only £20 and works fine, at that price just do it.

[ALIAHMET]

As above impact required to save yourself swearing too much... I've replaced the pulley at 80k but just recently at 150k bought a second hand alternator from ebay with a pulley on, only £20 and works fine, at that price just do it.

I think your right, I don't have any error codes on the dash - however after changing the alternator would I need to plug in a VAG to reset any error codes? (I don't have a VAG system)

[Scottymon]

Nope, all good, just swap it out

[ALIAHMET]

Cheers guys

Will give it a go next weekend, too cold to be scrapping my knuckles 

[Scottymon]

Just for reference this is the one I bought, he's got a few: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121798253445 Make an offer.  At that price it's cheaper than a new pulley!!

Yeah, the alternator is a tight fit, bit of a pain if you've got big hands.  Once you've done it once kind of thing, it's an easy job.

Love to know what VW charge for a new alternator/pulley/belt fitted.

[ALIAHMET]

I was looking at europarts and noticed that there are two types of alternators.

One with a/c and one without a/c

How can I tell with the one's on ebay?

[Scottymon]

Part code mate, for Mk5 GTI: 06F903023C although superseded.

There are others that fit (newer ones, part sharing from Skoda/Audi etc), but they can stretch the Mk5 wiring, so I'd just keep with the cheapo one above... for the money it's worth trying.  And you can check the pulley when it arrives (it should lock one way and freewheel the other).  As it's eBaY / PayPal you've got the payback promise thing, but really, mine's been fine for a few months now, charges well.