Technical urgently, belt noise, smoke and burning smell is bad right?

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Technical urgently, belt noise, smoke and burning smell is bad right?

Hmmm, back face. Have a close look at the tensioner tomorrow! As pb said, they're a bit of a weak point. You'll probably have gathered from my previous comments that they don't necessarily fail by seizing. Often the bracket it mounts on bends, allowing the tensioner to tilt off-axis. Then the belt tends to get forced sideways, out of line with all the other pulleys.
 
Hmmm, back face. Have a close look at the tensioner tomorrow! As pb said, they're a bit of a weak point. You'll probably have gathered from my previous comments that they don't necessarily fail by seizing. Often the bracket it mounts on bends, allowing the tensioner to tilt off-axis. Then the belt tends to get forced sideways, out of line with all the other pulleys.

it looks in line with the other ones
 
I have a Grande Punto (which I bought from nearly new), and as I l still love as much as I did when I bought it, I decided to be responsible and so I had the timing belt changed way early.

Up until then, I had had no problems mechanically to worry about, so far, (the only minor issues being anti-rollbar bushes, door catch assembly, boot closed/open sensor or and thermostat seal, so I they were relatively straightforward to replace, most under warranty.

So for almost 7 years wonderfully economical and stress free motoring.

A few months prior to the replacement of the timing belt, I had heard a touch of what sounded like 'pinking' when going slow in 2nd gear, which prompted me to consider the early expense. This sound was gone after the garage fitted the new belt.

However, just a few months later, with absolutely no warning, I had a major problem. I tried*to start the car to return home from work one day, but it just wouldn't turn over. All I did was*get in the car and try and make my way home. At first I panicked, what with every else watching, all going home. I tried jump starting because it did sound a bit like there was no petrol.


Anyway, the timing belt had just completely snapped, and yes, it was the brand new one. Long story short, (although this is quite a waffle already), it was the belt below the tensioner which caused the problem, apparently. They did replace all belts that came in the timing belt kit, but something went wrong.


Later that week I was starting the car and an almighty screech, whistle and whine came from the engine. There was a bit of smoke and a burning smell. When I was advised by the garage not to drive it, they recovered it, had it for a week, but could not replicate the problem.


When I picked it up I started having other issues with the whole car 'shaking' which the garage laughed off, as it was not a 'new' car. They thought that I was imagining the shake, but I could feel it through the pedals and through the steering wheel. You could even see the excess vibration with the bonnet up, but they said that all those cars are 'lumpy' like that. I'd done 50,000 lovely miles without anything like that. They did adjust it with my persistence, the vibration disappeared, but the pinking returned. Oh well, there you go.
 
Sorry Photobucket isn't playing nice this morning so unable to make this smaller.....

pulleys_zpsf57bf37f.jpg


They look perfectly in line to me.....

Now, I have thought about this a lot, when I first took the belt off and tried spinning the pulleys, the furthest away one (in the pic) span a few turns then stopped, then it span freely the other way and again freely back again....


Could that have been it, something stuck there that has now gone??? Or is that too easy an explanation?

There is no noise and no smoke now anyway
 
Alignment looks good.

Is the furthest one just an idler, or does it drive something? Or is it the tensioner?

Your description of it stopping suggests it is the culprit. Although apparently ok now, I would suggest you replacing it asap, it will not mend itself.

ePER is a bit vague, but I believe the furthest, lower pulley is the alternator, these are known to seize occasionally, the upper one is the power steering, that should be difficult to turn, but not notchy.

If it is the alternator, might be a good idea to remove it and spin it in your hand. Lubricate the bearings if poss, but should be sealed. If alternator seized, should put ign light on! If power steering seized, steering should immediately be frighteningly heavy.

My bet id tensioner. Let us know. Before it rains. I think it is coming your way, it stopped here earlier.
 
Alignment looks good.

Is the furthest one just an idler, or does it drive something? Or is it the tensioner?

Your description of it stopping suggests it is the culprit. Although apparently ok now, I would suggest you replacing it asap, it will not mend itself.

ePER is a bit vague, but I believe the furthest, lower pulley is the alternator, these are known to seize occasionally, the upper one is the power steering, that should be difficult to turn, but not notchy.

If it is the alternator, might be a good idea to remove it and spin it in your hand. Lubricate the bearings if poss, but should be sealed. If alternator seized, should put ign light on! If power steering seized, steering should immediately be frighteningly heavy.

My bet id tensioner. Let us know. Before it rains. I think it is coming your way, it stopped here earlier.

Before I go out and look, is it totally out of the question that a tiny stone could have got behind the pulley from driving in puddles the day before, and got stuck???
 
Before I go out and look, is it totally out of the question that a tiny stone could have got behind the pulley from driving in puddles the day before, and got stuck???

Not totally out of the question. Did the problem occur immediately after jumping into a puddle? It would be immediate.

Which pulley stopped momentarily? Alternator, power steering, or tensioner?
 
Thanks. Alternator bearings seem to seize occasionally, there are a few threads on other models with similar failures.

Options:
1. Hope it was a small rock and carry on.
2. Remove the alternator and see if a local auto electrical specialist can replace the bearings or refurbish the whole thing.
3. Look for a new/reconditioned/used replacement. (Might need to remove it to confirm its output.)

Can you drive (safely) with your fingers crossed? Good luck.
 
Thanks. Alternator bearings seem to seize occasionally, there are a few threads on other models with similar failures.

Options:
1. Hope it was a small rock and carry on.
2. Remove the alternator and see if a local auto electrical specialist can replace the bearings or refurbish the whole thing.
3. Look for a new/reconditioned/used replacement. (Might need to remove it to confirm its output.)

Can you drive (safely) with your fingers crossed? Good luck.

lol, yes it does seem a little risky... I guess I just need to hope that it makes that loud noise again if it happens again so I get some warning to turn the engine off (y)
 
please try and clarify, ;)

thanks,
Charlie

It was pitch black and said I couldn't see smoke but could smell some smoke... tried this morning and no smoke, no noise

I could neversee where the smoke came from originally as I was terrified of getting a belt launched in my face but deffo side to the back of the engine
 
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