Belt Squeak

[Lukeydookeydoo]

My 2.4 MK7 Transit has a squeaky belt after warm up. It started after I replaced the water pump. It goes away if I spray the pulleys with water. I replaced the fan pulley, the crank pulley, the tensioner and the idler pulley. I could swear the vacuum pump is a bit out of line with the water pump but it's hard to tell. I bought a new one but the pump didn't fit at all. I replaced the belt as well. Any ideas?

[DanMK7uk]

As it began when you changed the pump..

That’s probably where to look mate.

Check the pulley is clean, undamaged and free to spin.

Belt / drive belt noises can be hard to identify

Generally speaking if spraying the belt if the noise goes its the belt..

What brand belt you put on ? Bosch by any chance?

You could carefully take some sandpaper and key up the belt watch your fingers hold it against the belt and let it run round and “key” the belt. Be very careful

[Lukeydookeydoo]

The belt is from Transit Parts UK, I'm not sure what brand.

The water pump was from a company called Robust, and I ended up having to fettle the metal gasket to fit the vacuum pump to fit. Their new matching vacuum pump is waaaaay too big compared to the original and the pulley will hit the pump pulley. I've lost confidence that the mid priced pattern parts fit or work!

[metalworker0]

Could be that the tensioner has become weak or stiff or that tensioner or idler pulleys have bad bearings.

all the best.mark

[gt_addict]

Not to completely slate TransitPartsUK but I have never had decent parts from them. I got a gearbox for my connect that was "refurbished" and when I went to collect the guy was spraying it with silver paint when I arrived.

Most recently I bought a new rear bulb holder for my MK7 and it wouldn't stay in the lens housing. The clips weren't manufactured correctly.

I'd get a reputable brand of belt and see if the problem persists.

[Lukeydookeydoo]

I've been staring at pictures online of the used but genuine water pump and vacuum pump (as the ones I removed I think are non-genuine) and it looks like the vacuum pump pulley and water pump pulley are not aligned - major slotting would be needed! I'm starting to think I should just order a matching set of used water pump and vacuum pump!

[metalworker0]

"USED" don't ever buy a used water pump or vacuum pump ..is my advice./

all the best.mark

[gt_addict]

How much are genuine ones vs a good brand OEM (Bosch, SKF, Elstock etc)?

I certainly wouldn’t put used genuine ones on even if they were considerably cheaper. It’s asking for trouble IMO.