I have had my first meltdown today. Pulled up at traffic lights and the engine cut out. I tried to start her but it behaved like it had a flat battery. Luckily I had a portable jumpstart box in the boot fully charged. I jumped it, but lots of rubber smelling smoke filled the car, it seemed to be coming from the driver's side of the engine bay - near the front, but I couldn't see anything. No warning lights came on and the oil pressure was good, as was the temp guage. I drove home and abandoned the car there, but it drove home fine and the smoke and smell cleared really quickly. Anyone got any ideas what that could be?

 

I don't want to drive it if I might have issues.

have you lost any aux belts eg aircon belt. sounds like somthing siezed and the belt eventially melted off!

iff peeps are not using antifreeze then the pump freezes up and the belts screech till the motor thaws out...not a good senerio but ive seen it a few times

I was going to say the same as Znut.

When I last had the car serviced at zedworld I got a full coolant change and has not lost a drop of water since. so I know my antifreeze is ok. but it does squeak a bit when cold.

Check the aircon compressor not unusual for them to seize and that can stop the engine no problem, will also cause rubber smell from the skidding belt.

 

Also sounds like the alternator belt may want nipping a little to stop the slip when cold, oh and can confirm antifreeze will of been added when cam belt was done.:)

 

If your stuck and want it checking and the other belt nipping just pop in and will sort it whilst you wait

 

Cheers

 

 

Jeff TT

Thanks for all the kind comments, I just had a look and everything seems in order belt wise. I started it up and everything seems fine... no squeaks or squeals. I let it get up to temperature, where it stopped at it's normal operating temperature. I then waited for the oil presure to settle at it's normal level (a couple of notches lower on the guage). Because all seemed fine, it took it down the road. apart from no traction - all seems good.

 

do you think it's ok to drive? just a tempory glitch?

 

I don't think it's the aircon belt because its the other side of the engine. maybe the alternater belt jammed for a second - I will take you up on the check over Jeff - cheers.

Panick over... must have been a temporary glitch... I have just comeback from my son's parents evening.... a round trip of 250 miles.

 

I am really loving my zed again!