CDT Squeals and Smells

[Hampton Caught]

Dear All,

I would welcome some advice, please. Last night driving home in traffic, I heard a faint squealing noise like a slipping fanbelt. I turned the radio off and couldn't be sure it was from my MG or any other car nearby. After about 6 seconds of this, I revved the engine and the squeal stopped - this may have been co-incidence.

Later on, same journey, I was on the A3 dual carriageway doing 50 mph, then had to brake to a halt due to traffic ahead, backing up due to the speed camera! I didn't brake particularly hard, but seconds later, there was a distinct rubbery burning smell coming into the cabin (didn't have recirculate on). Again, this may have been from the cars nearby which also had to stop, some more forcibly than me.

When I got home, I had a sniff around in the engine bay and there was a warm rubber smell but not the acrid smell I smelt earlier on.

So my questions are: Could it be the fan belt and if so, where is it and how tight should it be? If there's any doubt about its condition, should I replace it, or could it be something (or somebody) else entirely?

The car has covered 17,500 miles, is 2.5 years old having sat in the compound when MGR went bottoms up for 18 months

Thanks again in anticipation,

Steve

[JohnDotCom]

Belts cause all sorts of Noises, the Alternator/Fan Belt ones being a Prime example on many cars.
I would think though at that age regardless of Mileage the Belts must be due a change.
Hope to God it isn't your Timing belt, do they Squeal??

[Hampton Caught]

John,

I thought the BMW oil-burners had chains, rather than belts?

I'm surprised you think the belts need changing already as a matter of timing. I've never had to replace belts that early on any of my previous cars.

If it is the alternator belt, I guess the worst that can happen is the battery doesn't charge and I get left stranded on the roadside?

Can I check to see if the belt is at the right tension? If so, what do I need to do?

Thanks, Steve

[JohnFol]

rad fan burning out?

[ssc1]

the main drive belt which powers the alternator, power steering and i think water pump is automatically tensioned by a spring loaded tensioner ,which needs a tool to back off spring tension when changing , i have just done this when i replaced the alternator. then there is another belt which powers the air con pump and is tensioned by a normal tensioner. space is tight to replace the belts but not too hard to do.

[JohnDotCom]

Originally Posted by Hampton Caught

John,

I thought the BMW oil-burners had chains, rather than belts?

Steve

My mistake I just saw MG ZT T and didn't realise Diesel even though it said CDT at top of Post, which of course is Chain Driven and good for at least 220,000 miles. Sorry.