eek! Should it smoke like that?

[david vaughan-birch]

I have an 1150 with a bit over 100k on. I had to leave it parked up for a couple of days recently, and when I tried to get it going again there was a truly god-awful screeching noise from the direction of the engine cover, followed by a thin curl of smoke. It started eventually but I don't fancy trying again. I'm guessing the bearing's gone on the alternator and that this is a bad thing. Are there any short-term cunning fixes? It's a long way to Pidcocks from the depths of East Staffs and I don't fancy burning the alternator out on the way?

 

[Gecko]

Not sure about the smoke - where it actually coming from ?
If it's coming from the front under the tank area it may just be the alternator V-belt slipping which may smoke and screech . Take off the from engine panel - the black plastic thing and have a look - you'll soon see if the V-belt is slack. Correct tension is when you can just about twist it 90 degrees with your fingers - if you can twist it more than that - it's loose.
Good step by step guide here

The starter motor can also screech a bit if it hasn't been greased for a while but I haven't heard of them smoking .

 

[david vaughan-birch]

thanks Gecko-I think its coming from the alternator. Now I think of it there's what sounds like a bearing noise coming from that direction too. I'll have a look and see what's up.

 

[Colban]

I'll put a fiver on it being a loose belt slipping on pulley.

 

[cookie]

I'll put a fiver on it being a loose belt slipping on pulley.

my vote too.

 

[ktmmark]

You are only up from where i work in ashbourne .Will be able to help you if it's not sorted .

 

[david vaughan-birch]

thanks chaps-made it to Nottingham safely today so I'll let you know what those nice fellows at Pidcocks have got to say.

 

[david vaughan-birch]

Well, now we know! The alternator was completely seized, and had cracked in two from the heat generated by the belt slipping. That would be where the smoke was coming from then. A new alternator, fitted, will be £500 of your earth pounds please sir...they did throw in a new belt for free though

 

[ELIMINATOR]

A new alternator, fitted, will be £500 of your earth pounds please sir...they did throw in a new belt for free though

WTF

£500, err, you didn't walk / run away

 

[Steptoe]

. A new alternator, fitted, will be £500 of your earth pounds please sir...they did throw in a new belt for free though

I'd have driven to where you live, and fitted an alternator with 4K miles on it for £200 -

 

[Tarka]

. A new alternator, fitted, will be £500 of your earth pounds please sir...they did throw in a new belt for free though

Hat



Well and truly



Nailed on.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Well, now we know! The alternator was completely seized, and had cracked in two from the heat generated by the belt slipping. That would be where the smoke was coming from then. A new alternator, fitted, will be £500 of your earth pounds please sir...they did throw in a new belt for free though

Excuse me typing this
BUT
YOU'VE Been SHAFTED !!!

 

[david vaughan-birch]

what can I say? I need the thing to run every day and I was in court in Birmingham today so waiting wasnt an option. But yes-WTF did go through my mind too. I will humbly ask Steptoe for advice first next time something expensive threatens to break.