Seized alternator.

[PurpleMoonlight]

Woke the Daimler from hibernation today.

Lots of screeching, a little bit of smoke, then pop. Bits of belt everywhere.

Battery light now on so I'm assuming the alternator has seized over winter.

How far do you think I can drive on stored charge alone? The mechanic is about 15 miles away.

[PositronicRay]

Charge the battery, have someone follow you and you should be okay?

Edited by PositronicRay on Friday 31st March 16:19

[Willhire89]

It is starting that really draws the juice - running the ignition system is negligible.

Start the car off jump leads or charger just to minimise loss and go in daylight and you will be fine - I have covered hundreds of miles without charging when the need has arisen.

[PurpleMoonlight]

Thanks guys.

[Willhire89]

Hang on - I may have done you a disservice here

Does this belt do anything else like the water pump or depending how modern power steering?

If it is just the alternator/charging all well and good but I don't want you cooking your engine.......

[PurpleMoonlight]

I don't believe so.

I left it running for 10 minutes or so and no other warning lights and no overheating.

I did a bit of net research and is seems it does only serve the alternator.

It's back on charge now.

[renorti]

try a recovery truck firm, 15 miles trip probably about £50. no hassle,no worries get it collected/delivered job done.

[lowdrag]

The E-type dynamo let go 40 miles from Caen so I drove with no lights to the ferry, got a push start to get on and off the boat, and drove to a friends house near Winchester, all on a charged battery. If you only use the ignition you can go a long way on a fully charged battery. Anyway, why not just take the alternator off and take it to your mechanic? I assume you have tried turning the pulley? If not it could only be the water pump. It'll only take a few minutes to get the alternator off it off, but the water pump is harder.

ETA: I see it is a Double Six, lucky chap. Does it have aircon? If so a seized compressor?

Edited by lowdrag on Saturday 1st April 08:59

[PurpleMoonlight]

I couldn't do it myself.

As the battery warning light remains on I think the chances are it's the alternator.

[john2443]

Looks like it's just alternator based on this photo (assuming it's a pic of the right engine)