Should I be able to spin the alternator?

[WIL35]

Car's stopped working! Went out this morning, did about 40 miles, mixture of town and country lanes around Tonbridge. Was on way home and noticed the battery light come on and heard a strange noise. Immediately cut the engine and coasted to a lay by.

Had a look and saw nothing obviously wrong, wiring etc. Tried to start. Engine was turning easily enough but was not firing! Changed 'Big Fuse' just in case. still the same.

Have got car home and noticed that I could spin the alternator with my fingertips, the pulley on the block was also spinning! Shouldn't this be connected to the timing chain?

Also, would the engine not fire if it wasn't getting a supply from the alternator?

Any help, much appreciated.

[APMAUTO]

sounds like the timing chain's snapped not good new's

[mars]

Quick search on "timing chain" reveals that they are extremely unlikely to break... and there's two per pulley, meaning if one goes, there's always the second one. I could find only one instance of someone having broken theirs on a Cerb.

[GreenV8S]

Seem to remember there's a key that has been known to break though.

[mars]

That's likely to be a woodruff key that locates the crank pulley onto the crank. I don't know for certain but it's unlikely to be the mechanism for securing the cam pulleys to the cams.

[KEET]

Sounds like you'll need to get the rocker covers off and turn the engine over by hand to ensure both cams are rotating. The drive for the alternator sits in the vee and is driven by the duplex timing chain. Sounds like an engine out and strip though.

[WIL35]

If the chain had broken, would there be a noticeable noise like valves hitting pistons? The engine was running and only stopped when I hit the red button after seeing the battery light and hearing a fairly quiet noise. Just wouldn't start again after that.

[Extra 300 Driver]

I very much doubt its the timing chain.

It sounds to me like the woodruff key has gone. Its on the drive in the centre of the engine. I dont know to much about the front of the engine but I think its a right pain to get to.

I think its a common fault, so a search may help.

If it is the timing chain the you would be able to turn the car over, It would make a herendous noise and lock up.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Extra 300 Driver said:

I very much doubt its the timing chain.

It sounds to me like the woodruff key has gone. Its on the drive in the centre of the engine. I dont know to much about the front of the engine but I think its a right pain to get to.

I think its a common fault, so a search may help.

If it is the timing chain the you would be able to turn the car over, It would make a herendous noise and lock up.

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=84137&f=6&h=0&hw=woodruff+key

[jensena]

If the Woodruff key shears, it only affects the power steering.

[Extra 300 Driver]

jensena said:

If the Woodruff key shears, it only affects the power steering.

Sure? Well I stand corrected then, but does it sound like the timing chain?

[cre]

mars said:

Quick search on "timing chain" reveals that they are extremely unlikely to break... and there's two per pulley, meaning if one goes, there's always the second one. I could find only one instance of someone having broken theirs on a Cerb.

Not quite two per pulley, its one duplex chain.

Jamie

[cre]

jensena said:

If the Woodruff key shears, it only affects the power steering.

Erm...not really.

Your thinking of the other woodruff key that drives the PAS, not the woodruff key on the alternator jack shaft.

Jamie

[jensena]

cre said:

jensena said:

If the Woodruff key shears, it only affects the power steering.

Erm...not really.

Your thinking of the other woodruff key that drives the PAS, not the woodruff key on the alternator jack shaft.

Jamie

Oh the shame - I stand corrected (and I've learnt something else too)

[WIL35]

Thanks all, I hope it is something as 'minor' as a woodruff key. It should be going to Dream Machines on Tuesday, so I'll let you know the verdict.

Fortunately it is under warranty as it looks like major dismantling is needed to get to the suspect parts! Funnily enough it was due to go back for some other warranty work next week. couple of oil seals and a radiator.

[mars]

cre said:

mars said:

Quick search on "timing chain" reveals that they are extremely unlikely to break... and there's two per pulley, meaning if one goes, there's always the second one. I could find only one instance of someone having broken theirs on a Cerb.

Not quite two per pulley, its one duplex chain.

Jamie

I did wonder but the thread I read mentioned two. Anyway, 2 or duplex... takes a lot of effort to break them.