Its a genuine one mark, replaced twice this year.

I know I shouldn't have, but after spraying the belts, the noise quietened down and went altogether for a few seconds.

could it be catching below the bottom somewhere that isn't visible? or a knackered bearing? after listening I don't think its the alternator itself

Spraying the alt belt is ok to figure out where the noise is coming from, but dont spray the timing belt, incase it slips a tooth or two.

I dont know much about these engines mind, but have you checked to see if the belt is running straight, or if its wobbling about a bit?

If the engine is running, and its making the noise, put a bit of wd40 on the alt belt. See if the noise goes or not, this will help id where the noise is coming from.

When was the alt best last replaced btw?

if its waterpump the same as mine in the video, it will be a whirring noise at around 1000rpm (ish) then itl go when the revs increase

The pump that I've recently had replaced did not turn round straight, it appeared almost buckled.

The alt belt has never been done in my care but just priced one up for about 3 quid so It'll get a new one this weekend. I should imagine its running staight but not 100% without looking at it again.

This noise was never apparent until I had the belt and pump done for the first time, then got the pump replaced under warranty as the noise got really bad, back again now after only 80 quiet miles.

Hair pulling stuff!

Take the alternator belt off and see if the noise is still there to rule that out

Also, I had a similar noise after I replaced my waterpump; would squeal/grind between about 1000rpm and 2000rpm. Turns out I had been sold the wrong waterpump (square tooth rather than round tooth) so might be worth checking that?

Hmm sounds a bit ominous about the pump.. I'll look into that one :)

I'll get there in the end with it!

Did a garage replace the pump? If thats the case surely they are resposible to fix it?

Yeah, they are vw specialists too!

I find everyt ime the car goes to a garage it comes out worse. I'm no mechanic but everything I do myself works.

I find that only the car owner knows the car, and I really struggle with taking cars to garages saying its doing this or making this noise. Its always to no avail, regardless of who I take it to! I end up just replacing things until its fixed. They either don't want to know or say it'll be alright, let it develop.

The point is Mr mechanic man - I DONT WANT IT TO EFFING DEVELOP AND BREAK, I WANT MY CAR RIGHT! ITS PLAYING UP FOR A REASON, I.E SOMETHING IS BROKEN/BREAKING!

I've discovered more about this noise today, on Clubpolo, than any mechanic I've ever taken it to. The best so far is a mobile mechanic who understands older vehicles and doesn't need a computer!!

Sorry about the rant, but I am yet to find a garage who give a toss! Its not me been a car hypochondriac either!

Surely people agree?!

Regardless, if they have changed a waterpump & now its making a noise, they should take it back in and spend as long as it takes to find the problem and rectify it??

I fully agree mark, and once its running again I'll be heading back down there :)

Just seem to get a bit fobbed off though :s

The more assertive I am, the less friendly the service I find.

Thats always the case as you are saying they arnt doing their job properly.

If you say, for example, theres this noise, and I've looked on the internet and its happened to a few cars after the pump has been fitted, but no one can give me a definative answer as to the problem, that might be a better way? but then they might just say if no one else can find the problem, why should they waste their time.

But they have fitted a pump and there is a noise now, so thats not right. You could look into trading standards perhaps?

this is my squeak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVqVpNuwRrI...eature=youtu.be

Is the alternator belt definitely not rubbing on anything like the plastic cam cover?

As said above, remove the belt and see if noise is still present.

ok if i do take the cover off and the noise is still present what could it be? mine is def not the water pump as it got replaced in september its now march 2012 surely that noise cant come over night??

took you advice and took of cam cover and figured out that when my engine is cold there is no squeak so put the cover back on and went for a drive round the block to warm my car up and the squeak is there with and without cam cover

maybe the fact that your engine idles higher when its cold?

fair enough answer lol but really dont solve my problem its getting annoying now