Help:(

[zuul]

I own a 1997 MGF and took it off the road about 8 months ago as lost my job. I started it for the first time today and it started first time but permenantly squeals and smells like burning, is this likley to be something seazed?

[danger mouse]

Water pump leading to slipping "fan" belt?

It might free-up with a couple of knocks from a knocking stick if so, but could well turn leaky.

I don't think K series are so bad for cam bearings seizing and the alternator would bring up the battery light which you have not mentioned.

If its been standing the water pump will have been stewing so that's where my money would be. It'll be a pig to get at on an 'F' too.

Good luck
DM

[zuul]

Ive just put a new battery on it would that make a difference to alternator light not coming on?

[danger mouse]

Not a 'F' expert at all but on any cars the battery light should come on with the ignition then go out on start-up as the alternator energises and takes over from the battery. Clearly if the Alternator is seized, it won't do this and the light with stay on.

If the car starts the new battery must be hooked up the right way round, so my money is still in the water pump.

The other things that might also be driven of the fan belt are the power steering pump (unless its an electric type but this would obvious from turning the wheel) and the AC - if fitted.

The power steering should remain lubed by its own hydraulic fluid. The AC pump could have become jammed if the gas pressure has dropped while the car has been out of use as the coolant also acts as lube to the pump I believe.

Modern cars are way too complicated!

Have you run the car with bonnet up to see if you can hear where the noise in actually coming from?

[na]

As per what DM's put

If the red light is on then possibly the drive belt is slipping and that might also be the noise

the red light might go out with a few revs but try this first -

A stop gap thing now - spray a little lubricant on the drive shaft ot the alternator and water pump if you can

why did you change the battery was that anything to do with the ignition lamp?

not driving it (just starting it every few weeks can cause more harm than good) will throw up a few wrinkles that are best sorted by driving it regularly again

[Richard Moss]

danger mouse said:

Water pump leading to slipping "fan" belt?

Not on an F or TF as the water pump is driven by the cam belt.

Alternator, aircon belt (if fitted) or cambelt tensioner pulley would be my bets.

Edited by Richard Moss on Monday 9th May 11:22

[MGJohn]

Richard Moss said:

danger mouse said:

Water pump leading to slipping "fan" belt?

Not on an F or TF as the water pump is driven by the cam belt.

Alternator, aircon belt (if fitted) or cambelt tensioner pulley would be my bets.

About to write on these lines but Richard has covered it well.

said:

permenantly squeals and smells like burning, is this likley to be something seazed?

Ive just put a new battery on it would that make a difference to alternator light not coming on

Yes, something seized ... smell of burning strong clue if squeal is continuous.

Does the Charge/Alternator light come on BEFORE engine is started then go off after start?

Unlikely, but if the Alternator light stays on with engine running, then it's not charging the system and so could be seized ( components seizure on cars unusued for long periods frequent ).

A siezed/partially seized Alternator will mean the drivebelt is slipping on the Alternator pulley and thus making an awful din and the friction causing the burning smell. If the water pump seized on the K-Series, that could terminate the engine ....

You, or someone with better experience of these things needs to look, listen and sniff around the engine inspection area with the engine running.