Urgent help !!! Metal shavings -.-

[Cupra panda]

Hello everyone

I have found metal shavings around my alternator and belt area
There is a intermittent squeak noise depending on revs of car
What would be causing this and is this serious a local garage said that it would be the lot replacing tensioner alternator belt etc is it a smaller problem TIA
Also I read somewhere on here that it could be a bearing ? Not sure as could t find anything with metal shavings ? Only just started 2 days ago and got worse dramatically

Appreciate all the help guys

 

[DrewCole]

Well whatever it is, metal shavings isn't good news.

If bearings have failed then I would have thought you would have more than a intermittent squeak noise, they would probably be a noticeable grinding noise.

I would start by removing the alternator to check for wear marks, if you are okay with spanners then remove the inlet manifold and throttle body to get a good view.

If there are shavings then it should be fairly easy to locate the cause.

 

[Bigjohn84]

I wouldn't be driving it, if that belt snaps that's you done

 

[Gaz7]

I'd hazard a guess at the alternator pulley.

 

[Cupra panda]

Metal shavings are above pulley on alternator and can see where there coming from its between the pulley and alternator looks like it's rubbing against the alternator
And it's just squeaky at times anything over 1200 revs silence but I noticed there was about a 2-3 MM. Gap between alternator and pulley and when started after a few minutes the gap closed ? Garage saying it's the tensioner but that's fine I'm lost as I can't seem to understand how it's rubbing or has rubbed as been fine just started few days ago so I first thought belt maybe slipping and would be replacing but nope metal shavings lol

 

[Gaz7]

As I said... Alternator pulley, it's a clutched pulley and common for failing.

 

[Cupra panda]

So a minor problem nothing to serious to worry about are they difficult to do cause the pulley is easy accessible but I know you need a multi key socket and just unscrew ?
Thanks for help guys

 

[Gaz7]

It depends, I wouldn't call it a minor problem, I'd replace it before you drive the car again. and it all depends on where the filings are coming from, where it's the pulley chewing itself, or the pulley chewing the shaft on the alternator.

 

[Cupra panda]

Can see on side of alternator fresh metal so it's rubbing against that
That's where the metal is coming from

 

[Gaz7]

Okay, then it's quite possible that you just need to replace the pulley, it's most probably collapsed.

 

[Cupra panda]

Ok it's just the metal but the belt sits on nothing else is there ? £40 beats spending £140 on alternator

 

[Gaz7]

Sorry, I don't really understand the question ?