I may have found the solution to the strange squeak coming from the engine
of my 1989 Vanagon. I decided to drive to my trusty VW wizard mechanic at
the local dealership for some free advice in person.

First the squeak happens when the engine is hot, usually parked uphill in
idle. The part I pushed and pulled on was not the alternator but the AC
compressor my mechanic Fred told me. (Such a naive amateur I am.)

The chalk I thought a mechanic I saw touch it to the belts many years ago
was not chalk but a lubricating stick.

My mechanic, Fred, told me to try this which I will do tomorrow when the
engine is hot and the mystery squeak appears. He told me to spray white
lithium grease on the belt and the squeak will disappear instantly. "You can
use wd40 but it doesn't last," he says.

So perhaps the problem is solved. Hot engine=dry belts=squeak seems like a
good theory. I will keep you all informed.

William