Does it ever end ?

[pete99]

Looks like 'another' problem on the way !!
Started the car yesterday afternoon- immediately noticed it didnt sound normal- so- blipped the accelerator-revs wouldnt pick up- slight burning smell- so I switched it off PRONTO. Waited a few seconds- started it again and it was ok.
I got the impression it was the starter NOT disengaging.
started it today- and all ok and normal. Gave it a 'mach 1' run on motorway (reason being--if somethings gonna break-- It may as well break asap--and then it can be sorted).
It ran great .
Any suggestions ?. (apart from selling the car)

[RDI-Baz]

If it's the starter sticking, doing a 'mach 1' wouldn't make any difference. The only time I'd use a technique like that would be for clearing water out of the fuel system or the like, beyond that it sounds like a kamikaze mission.

:-)

[pete99]

If it's the starter sticking, doing a 'mach 1' wouldn't make any difference. The only time I'd use a technique like that would be for clearing water out of the fuel system or the like, beyond that it sounds like a kamikaze mission.

:-)

Yeh-- I know that !!
I wouldn't have driven it if it had produced same symptoms on start up.
I drive very low miles in my car- sometimes it never moves for a week or so. When it does move-- its usually no more than 80-100 miles a week.
I just wanted to blow the cobwebs away and heat the beast up .
Thanks for replying--its refreshing .
Pete

[Niall76]

I once had a Rover 25 which did a similar thing. I had rebuilt the top end with a new HG amongst other bits and bobs. Anyhow, I had checked everything over and was happy about starting it for the first time since rebuilding.

I turned the key, it gave a pop and then fired up. Brilliant I thought. Then I smell the burning..... and que a fair bit of smoke! My heart sank as I turned off the motor and thought the worst.

To cut a long story short it turned out the burning was the alternator belt. The alternator seemed to be turning fine when off the car but after sitting for a while it decided to sieze up- the berings that is. This in turn meant the alternator belt was just running around the pulley and not with it. Lots of friction = lots of heat and smoke.

New alternator and all was good. Could be worth checking? Just looking at the condition of the belt will let you know if it's been slipping over the pulley.

[RDI-Baz]

Yeh-- I know that !!
I wouldn't have driven it if it had produced same symptoms on start up.
I drive very low miles in my car- sometimes it never moves for a week or so. When it does move-- its usually no more than 80-100 miles a week.
I just wanted to blow the cobwebs away and heat the beast up .
Thanks for replying--its refreshing .
Pete

There's all sorts of things that could misbehave for a short period if the vehicle isn't run very often, although the sounds of the symptons could be a sticking solenoid. Given that the solenoid is basically a big, heavy switch operated by an electric current, it can have the same failings as a 'normal' switch, i.e. that if it's not used very often it could potentially seize.

What was the burning smell? Oil, plastic, electrical?

If it only happened once, but was ok after that, I would be too concerned personally, just be alert until the car reaches normal operating temp (by which time a serious problem would have become obvious)

It wouldn't hurt once in a while to just turn the engine to keep the solenoid 'active' - literally start it up and switch it off.