Alternator belt query.

[Mad4slalom]

Morning all, cornish weather not good for vetting at the moment, gagging for a dry road blast in the 72.
Was tinkering under the bonnet the other day and noticed how close the alternator belt runs to the power steering pump. Anyone else noticed the same and if there is an easy way to space it a bit. I can flex the belt to touch part of the pump. I also hear something a bit belty if I rev motor in neutral. I cant see wear on the belt but can get a click if I tap the belt. The part it touches seems like a thin plastic shield behind the ps pulley. Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Roscobbc]

On certain C3 engine and accessory combinations there is a history of issues relating to the alternator not being well aligned with the respective crank or water pump pulley. The slightly 'off' alignment is/was not helped either by some of the bracketry holding the alternator in place being arguably not very 'robust', vibrating in unison with engine harmonics and ultimately fracturing.
Mine doesn't align 100% and obviously had fractured at some point in the dim and distant past (and has been welded-up). On mine the simple addition of an extra washer or two to the fixing location on the cylinder head improved the alignment and surprisingly got rid of the harmonic vibration.
Suggest you open the hood, run the engine standing beside the passenger side and rev the engine through from idle to higher revs, observing the alternator brackets for excessive vibration/movement.