Smoke coming from beneath the alternator

[nkedama]

Hi Fanatics

I drive a 2001 320i e46.

Last night as I got home, I noticed that there was a little smoke coming from under the hood of the car. I checked and because it was dark, I couldn't really make out where it was coming from - So I bled the radiator then topped up again after the smoke and steam had settled.

This morning, I started the car and heard a little rattle coming from the front. I drove from Northcliff where I stay to Randburg that's when I saw the smoke again I parked the car and investigated. I noticed that the smoke came from underneath the alternator and the one "wheel" (I've attached an image of what I'm referring to) is wobbly and that's where the rattle come from. Oh, and there is a little water leak. I was told by a friend that it may be linked to what's happening with the alternator.

What needs to be changed and what am I looking at paying?

 

[moranor@axis]

crank shaft pulley damper has gone by the looks of things it will need replacing...

 

[nkedama]

:ty: I will get it sorted asap

 

[nkedama]

crank shaft pulley damper has gone by the looks of things it will need replacing...

I've just searched the forum for related posts and could not find one. Most people with a similar problem are those with the 320D (Facelift).

Do you know what causes this kind of problem on the 320i as is the case with me?

 

[moranor@axis]

never seen this before on a petrol but it does not mean it could not happen... I would have to duel mass fly wheel checked out...

any vibrations or noised before this happened?

 

[Dippies]

Not impossible to happen on a petrol.

 

[Sankekur]

never seen this before on a petrol but it does not mean it could not happen... I would have to duel mass fly wheel checked out...

any vibrations or noised before this happened?

Agreed, if the vibration damper fails it is a good idea to check for problems that might be causing excessive vibration....this is usually what causes failures. (Except on diesels, there the excessive vibration is normal)


That said some oversees sources feel that even on petrol cars the vibration dampers should be changed every 100k km, it is after all a part that wears gradually over time, diminishing its performance, before it fails.

 

[nkedama]

never seen this before on a petrol but it does not mean it could not happen... I would have to duel mass fly wheel checked out...

any vibrations or noised before this happened?

No vibrations at all - just a rattling sound from the pulley

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never seen this before on a petrol but it does not mean it could not happen... I would have to duel mass fly wheel checked out...

any vibrations or noised before this happened?

Agreed, if the vibration damper fails it is a good idea to check for problems that might be causing excessive vibration....this is usually what causes failures. (Except on diesels, there the excessive vibration is normal)


That said some oversees sources feel that even on petrol cars the vibration dampers should be changed every 100k km, it is after all a part that wears gradually over time, diminishing its performance, before it fails.

Thank you very much. I'm going to see the mechanic later this evening so I thought to ask real fanatics rather than to have him tell me what's wrong - only to overcharge me. Shady character that one... :rollsmile: