Mysterious Whistle/whine, blue/grey smoke and rubber smell!

[Benny the Ball]

Just pulled off M69 after experiencing a Whineing whistle that lasted ten seconds accompanied by smoke, and a strong smell of rubber. For last few days i thought i could hear the fan belt slipping when cold, which seemed to stop after engined warmed up. Have inspected engine (to best of my limited ability) and all belts seem to be there (two side by side in front of starter motor, and one underneath). Seems to be running ok, maybe slightly noisier than normal. Will be taking it to someone who knows about stuff!, but in the meantime, has anyone experienced similar, or have any idea what might be the problem?

Any ideas gratefully received.

Cheers,

Benny.

(not really a Ball)

[john and jue]

could it be the turbo? when the bearings go in the turbo it can empty the sump of all its oil,this being the smoke you are experiencing

[Benny the Ball]

Dear John and Jue,

Don't think so (but what do i know) didn't experience any loss of performance, also not huge great plumes of oily smoke, just grey/ blue rubbery smelling stuff. Cheers.

[Ralph]

Did the charge light come on if so it's possible the alternator as
sized the alternator is the thingy I suspect you referred to as
the starter motor the one with 2 belts side by side,
or was the air con on if so maybe the air con pump did
the same or maybe one of the belt tensioners, only other
thing driven by the belts is the water pump, does the noise
change when you turn the air con on and off ?

[Benny the Ball]

Dear Ralph and Joy,

Just started engine and tried turning aircon on and off. Getting a distinct squealing when i turn aircon on. Charge light not coming on. Engine sounds fine. Do you think it could be some rubber belt connected with aircon? Was a distinctly rubbery smell when it went.

Thanks for your help so far in identifying problem.

Benny.

[Ralph]

Think the air con pump may have seized don't turn on
again till mechanic as seen it, the belts only turn the pump
when the air con is on when it's off the pulley freewheels
that's why it's worse with it on.
Was it on when it first happened ??
if so it's a good bet.

[Benny the Ball]

Aircon was on when it happened. Will I be doing damage to still drive it with aircon off? Might a seized pump also explain the slight fan belty squeal I've been hearing last few days, for first mile or so from cold start? Heard aircon pump expensive.

Thanks again!

[RobnKathryn]

Benny, I've pm'd you re air con pump

Rob

[Ralph]

Hi Benny


If I am right you would be OK to drive as long as you keep
the air con off BUT I am poking it with a very long stick
from here so to speak and could be wrong cant be certain
without seeing hearing it so the answer as to be I don't know.
I would not drive it till sure of what it is, you don't want to be
driving it if I am wrong and it's something to do with the
cooling and over heat a very expensive engine.

[NuddyBluckles]

hi there,try checking your crank pulley its rubber mounted,take off or loosen all belts and see if you can turn it or feel the pulley wobble,it should be solid

[Benny the Ball]

Cheers Nuddy,

Its going in to see the man who'll know what and where the crank pulley is tomorrow. I am a mechanical idiot. Just hope it makes it the 10 miles up the motorway to the garage without further incident. Was fairly convinced it was an aircon issue due to it now squealing when I try to turn aircon on. Sounds a little bit noisier than normal, but doesn't seem to have lost anything in performance.

Thanks, Benny.

[NuddyBluckles]

i managed to get to switzerland and back before i found the source of the squeeking noise. the rubber in the pulley heats and expands and somehow turned the air con and alternator so you should be ok