Hi All
First visit here. I have a 2001 motorhome with the 2 8 jtd turbo engine.
Tried starting it after leaving it for about 6 weeks but needed a jump start. It started but was squeeling a bit. Did not over rev it but after about 20 seconds rubber smelling smoke came from engine bay. I switched off but would not start again. Sounds like it was turning over but when I looked at the aux belt did not look as if it had moved again. First thoughts are I have shredded the timing belt maybe due to a seized water pulley or tensioner. What do you think All? All help appreciated.
Okay , well i have an x230 , year 2000 . Now first off mine is a idtd , direct injection 2.8 . If yours is a jtd , it will be different , your have a ecu . Mine doesn't .
Now with that said , first off the batteries flat , this leads me to think it is actually a jtd , because this will happen . We have two ecu equipped vehicles here , and if either are left for more than 2 weeks , they will not start . We also have 2 none ecu equipped vehicles , and these can be left for 6 months or more , and will still start .
Anyway this is the reason you van will now not start . You didn't run the engine long enough to charge the battery enough for a second start , but i think it more likely the belt was not turning the alternator anyway . However , you don't mention a battery warning light , which is a bit confusing .
You say your fan belt is shredded , could be it's too tight , but i also would advise checking the pulley's . If i remember correctly the jtd water pump is driven from the timing belt , but i know the idtd is driven from the fan belt . I've just replaced mine , along with the water pump , and would you believe the alternator . The only pulley you won't be able to turn is the lower crank , but frankly i doubt there's a problem there , as the van started . If that was seized you would have far bigger problems . I would certainly check your alternator pulley , that may be seized . You said your belt was rock solid , if it was too tight , it may have bent the rotator shaft inside the alternator itself . Yes , it's possible , but again i doubt it . I think , it's more likely your belt was knackered in the first place .
The fan belt adjuster is above the alternator , and on mine it was seized solid . Not really a problem for me as i had to remove it anyway , to replace the water pump . First off you will need to loosen the lower alternator mounting bolt . Don't remove it , just loosen . This can just about be done from the off side wheel arch , though you may find it easier to remove the wheel . Next you will need to loosen the top mounting , this is actually attached to the tensioner , i did mine from under the vehicle , but it is a stretch . I would strongly advise refitting the wheel for this . Now underneath the van , you will notice a bolt staring at you in line with the fan belt (you will probably need a light) above the alternator , that is the adjuster bolt . The top mounting is set in the same orientation as the lower bolt , behind this bolt , again loosen , do not remove . Now you need to wind that adjuster bolt in to loosen the fan belt tension , i think i used a 13mm socket . It can be done with a spanner , but it a long job . If the belly pan is missing , you will find the alternator stiff , even seized , grab hold of the thing and swing on it , until if moves forward . You can use a lubricant , just be careful of the wires coming out of the back , especially the smaller d+ wire , closest to the engine . Once moving , the fan belt will loosen enough to be removed . Mine was not the standard van fitting , if as i suspect yours is a jtd the belt will be different again .
If you need to remove the adjuster look at where it touches the water pump , there is one mounting , a nut attached to a stud mounted into the water pump .
