Dutchy7 said:

I was driving down the highway in my 1990 defender 90 200tdi. I was at about 55-65 mph for 22 miles and all of a sudden it squealed and then smoke came out. Feeling like it came from the trans as I have a lot of oil coming from it more than I had before. Before I had a couple leaks but nothing to worry about. This smells like it burnt the clutch but a tiny squeal sound when going in reverse and forward for a couple feet. Could it be the gear box? I have no idea what it could be or if it's safe to drive. Please help.

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Dippypud said:

did you open the bonnet to see if one of the belts had let go ?

Has any fluids suddenly become low in it's reservoir ?

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blue beasty said:

Belts, when slipping due to contamination/pulley seizure smell bad

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Dippypud said:

did you open the bonnet to see if one of the belts had let go ?

Has any fluids suddenly become low in it's reservoir ?

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blue beasty said:

+1 sounds like a auxiliary belt let go after a bearing seizure

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Dutchy7 said:

How bad is a bearing seizure? And nothing wrong with the belts. Looked underneath.

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Dutchy7 said:

How bad is a bearing seizure? And nothing wrong with the belts. Looked underneath.

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Dippypud said:

No, looking may not be enough, I've seen belts that look fine but have no teeth ... do you do any work on it yourself ?

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Dutchy7 said:

Hav

i haven't touched the engine at all except for an oil change. It was imported from Europe.

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blue beasty said:

Depends what it is. If, for example, the alternator bearing is beginning to seize the belt may look fine but will slip and squeal and smell surprisingly like a burnt clutch until it burns through and falls off.

It might be something completely different but it's where I'd look first

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Dippypud said:

When was the last belt change service ? It should be stamped up in your book ...

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Dutchy7 said:

There isn't a book and I'm not sure.

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Dippypud said:

Ok, sounds like it is time to check it over with a good eye ...

Do you do any mechanical work on your vehicles or do you take the to the shop ?

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Dippypud said:

Checking the belts by feel and making sure that the pulleys/bearing/idlers run free is a good start ...

If it is gearbox or clutch don't worry, we have some really smart cookies on here ...

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Dutchy7 said:

Can't move the main pulley belts feel tight and strong. Should the belts be able to move the pulleys with no issue?

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Dippypud said:

It is tricky to tell, they behave differently under load, a seized bearing may not show until you remove the belt and try to spin it, make sure not to upset any timings, if you're not sure ...

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