MKII ME engine alternator belt issues... help!

[Torchd]

I have had a few MKII including turbo ones and all of them have these issues with the alternator belt. My belts never last for more than 4-5 months when I replace them they work fine for some time and then start squealing and break. I always use Continental, optibelt or Gates the correct size but they still break. I have replaced the idler bearing as well as the alternator bearings a few times but nothing helps...

Is the a standard 1.6 diesel problem? Are there any solutions to this?

[flowmastergfunk]

Does your car have A/C? Does everything feel like it spins freely with the belt off?

[CarlosA]

See if you have the right setup too.. my rabbit came from the previous owner with the AC removed and an extra long belt stretched all the way up to the alternator.

[Torchd]

Yes it does have air con and everything is original and well taken care of.

[rs899]

I have the same arrangement and don't really have an issue with belts.  I did fry an idler pulley that chewed up a belt.

[flowmastergfunk]

Back when my car had A/C , I hated the tensioner system! I had to tighten it up at least once every two weeks. These engine shake and move A LOT! I could imagine that your A/C compressor could be locking up and chewing up belts but I feel that you would have warned us if you had A/C problems. You could also be tightening the belts too much and that would cause a tremendous amount of wear. My horrendous system was the factory setup, in which the  compressor was underneath the alternator but I know there is also another aftermarket system from the era where a York pump was mounted ABOVE the alternator. Which do you have? Pictures may also help.

[Torchd]

Yes, I have to tighten the system very frequently. No the A/C doesn't have any problems. I have the factory system where the compressor sits under the alternator. I don't have the york pump. And I can't get rid of the A/C cuz we have hot weather here.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

Get yourself a Gates Power rated 6827 Lawn mower belt. Mine's been fine for more than a year now. No more squeal, No more constant belt adjustment. Does not squeal even if it gets wet.