Weird squeaking when I turn the engine on

RobertCalifornia · Oct 21, 2021

I’ve only had the Coast 6.1 since February but when I turn the engine on it has started to make the kind of noise I used to expect on our (now defunct) 15 year old Bongo!

It is a weird high-pitched squeaky noise that you can hear in the cabin and sounds like something is loose, and rubbing against a block of polystyrene.

Any thoughts on what this might be?

sidepod · Oct 21, 2021

Did you see anything obvious when you looked under the bonnet?

RobertCalifornia · Oct 21, 2021

sidepod said:
Did you see anything obvious when you looked under the bonnet?

Thanks @sidepod. As may be obvious from the level of technical language in my post, I am pretty ignorant about how the engine works! I haven’t looked yet because I don’t really know what I should be looking for - any pointers?

Thanks for your help!

blondebier · Oct 21, 2021

Probably a belt. Call VW assist and they can look at it at home.

Failing that book it in with your dealer.

I suspect VW assist will be quicker though.

GrahamB · Oct 21, 2021

I agree it sounds like it could be a belt is loose and the squeak is the sound of it slipping on a pulley. If so it’s most likely a very easy fix.

Wildcamper · Oct 21, 2021

Belts quite often sequel for no apparent reason. I have heard that a quick, note quick, spray of WD40 onto the belts makes it go away. I have never done this by the way.

GrahamB · Oct 21, 2021

Wildcamper said:
Belts quite often sequel for no apparent reason. I have heard that a quick, note quick, spray of WD40 onto the belts makes it go away. I have never done this by the way.

I think thats a bad idea, it might stop the squeak but increase the slipping! I have never heard of that being the solution - new belts shouldn’t slip if they are adjusted correctly.

GrumpyGranddad · Oct 21, 2021

Wildcamper said:
Belts quite often sequel for no apparent reason. I have heard that a quick, note quick, spray of WD40 onto the belts makes it go away. I have never done this by the way.

As @Wildcamper says that’s not a good idea. The belt is an alternative to a chain and should not slip - don’t oil it!

WelshGas · Oct 21, 2021

RobertCalifornia said:
I’ve only had the Coast 6.1 since February but when I turn the engine on it has started to make the kind of noise I used to expect on our (now defunct) 15 year old Bongo!

It is a weird high-pitched squeaky noise that you can hear in the cabin and sounds like something is loose, and rubbing against a block of polystyrene.

Any thoughts on what this might be?

Does it disappear when the engine is warm?
If so then probably a slipping belt.
Either way, VW Assistance should sort it. After all you've paid for the service.

flying banana · Oct 21, 2021

the belts are tensioned automatically with a spring loaded tensioner so i doub't the aux belt is slipping. as said that WD40 idea i reckon is a wind up. i had a squeek on my old golf and that turned out to be the alternator clutch pulley failing. i only found the source of the noise when it finally failed.