[Mariusmssj]

Hi Guys,

Once again having issues with my Passat. Around 6 months ago my Passat began making weird high pitch noise coming fro the engine, it was the drive belt and it only happen rarely but as time went it would happen more often. Usually while engine is cold once warmed up it would go away. Now it stays even if the engine is hot.

The noise itself sound high pitch and pulsing and quite loud, you could say it's like a squeal.

I think it's coming from the area I have highlighted in the image.

Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[doxster22]

turn your AC off and see if that changes anything. It could be your AC clutch going bad. To see if it is the actual belt, get some belt dressing and spray it on the belt while the engine is running and see if the noise goes away. If it does, change your belt.

 

[ylwagon]

The serp belts tend to be pretty quiet, unlike V-belts, which have a lot of friction which causes the noise. You can try changing the belt, but if you do, I'd start the engine with the belt off and make sure that you don't still hear the noise. If you do, don't run it any more untill the whole timing belt system is checked out. If you determine the noise has to come from the serp belt, check the tensioner to be sure the roller turns smoothly, and the tensioner spring is holding the roller tightly against the back of the belt.

 

[John_E]

How old is your belt? Is it cracked and/or glazed?

 

[Mariusmssj]

Hi guys,

Sorry for a late reply. I tried the water trick and spraying water on the belt itself did nothing, but when I spayed on the deflection pulley noise disappeared instantly and came back after few seconds. I haven't changed my belt since I got he car so around 6 years ago.

I have bought a new pulley and a belt but have no idea how to replace it. Do I remove the front and radiator to get to it?

Thanks for all replies

 

[ylwagon]

The belt removes without service position. You might get the tensioner out without moving the front-end, but it's tight. I can do it on my A4, but reaching the large socket-head bolt is not easy.

 

[GLInick]

I am forgetting how it is on the internal water pump version of the 1.8, but isn't the belt tensioner roller attached with 3 bolts only? Its fairly easy to remove those 3 without doing much more than releasing the belt, no?

The viscous fan roller bearing might also be the cause. With the belt off, check that this one spins freely and doesnt have any play.

 

[ylwagon]

Looks like I assumed he had a V6, and you are right, if a 1.8T, the job takes three easy bolts and no front-end service position trouble.

 

[GLInick]

Well, I am also assuming it is a 1.8, but he OP is from the UK, so for all we know its an inline 1.6 or a TDI.
Marius, state your engine code if you know it, or post a pic.

 

[Mariusmssj]

The engine is 2.3 V5 as shown in the picture. I pulled on the tension pulley to loosen the belt as replaced the deflection pulley by the AC as it seems to be ok. I will need to take a drive to make sure.

I genuinely have no idea how to replace the belt without removing the whole front of the car. It seems like I would need to take off the fans and radiators

 

[GLInick]

It sounds like you will need to put the front end into service position to get at the belt tensioner. what year is the car? search in the infobase for directions on how to remove the front end if you don't have access to a repair manual.

perhaps u-toob has some vids for that engine.

 

[uberbeagle]

Here in US, we did not get that motor in the B5 Passat that I am aware of. That diagram is a trip. I think that is the most convoluted belt routing diagram I have ever seen. That is asking alot of one belt.

 

[Mariusmssj]

Took me a over a months but last week I replaced the belt and the noise is gone. It's quite weird now actually been there for 2 years I kind of miss it now.

Taking off the old belt and putting a new one was a mission!!! Took a good hour and some very intricate positioning but it's all good now.


Thanks for the help guys

 

[tanishahiggs]

Hi guys,

Sorry for a late reply. I tried the water trick and spraying water on the belt itself did nothing, but when I spayed on the deflection pulley noise disappeared instantly and came back after few seconds. I haven't changed my belt since I got he car so around 6 years ago.

I have bought a new pulley and a belt but have no idea how to replace it. Do I remove the front and radiator to get to it?

Thanks for all replies

Hi i know this is a old post but I am having the same issues with my deflection pulley. In fact just about all the bearings are gone from the inside of the pulley I've been searching the internet for months trying to find the exact deflection pulley which would match my own online and came up empty handed. Everyone is trying to sell me a smooth pulley instead of a ribbed one. So i was wondering if anyone could help me out In finding the right one.

Edit by Vagguy: taken from your profile post.
My car: Passat Variant Wagon V5 2005 2.3
Engine: AZX
Right hand

 

[Tomvw]

The deflection pulley near the A/C compressor should be smooth.

 

[tanishahiggs]

The deflection pulley near the A/C compressor should be smooth.

I don't know what's going on with my version of the car

The deflection pulley near the A/C compressor should be smooth.

this is what the pulley look like when we took it out. Thanks for the replay

 

[Tomvw]

The deflection pulley near the A/C compressor (between A/C & crank), should be smooth.
The deflection pulley above crank, should be ribbed.
The tension pulley between crank & coolant pump, should be smooth.

 

[tanishahiggs]

I don't know what's going on with my version of the car

View attachment 107285

this is what the pulley look like when we took it out. Thanks for the replay

The deflection pulley near the A/C compressor (between A/C & crank), should be smooth.
The deflection pulley above crank, should be ribbed.
The tension pulley between crank & coolant pump, should be smooth.

Well the pulley finally fell out and came apart. I'm being told volkswagen has discontinued it.

 

[PZ]

I've never seen a VR5, but were you able to get a part number? Many times other companies will make parts that VS has stopped producing. You might also check the VR6 belt setup to see if the pulley is similar.

 

[Tomvw]

Which pulley are you having trouble with ?
(Refer to diagram in post #1)

If it is the deflection pulley above the crank pulley (it is ribbed), you could replace the bearing in the pulley.
If it is to the left or right of the crank pulley, it should be smooth, and you had the wrong pulley in that position.