Smoke back of engine

[MikeyC]

Hello,
New to the forum and working on my wife's 1993 Goldwing trike. (sorry, I ride a Yamaha 1600 Road Star)
It had a no neutral light no start issue. After reading several things I wiggled the reverse lever several times and the light came back on and the bike started. It still has to be wiggled sometimes to get the neutral light. But now when we start the bike, it may run good for a short time then you can hear something switch and the motor bogs down and smoke comes from under the alternator. And also, there is an oil leak from between the alternator and the motor.
Any ideas?
Thank you in advance
Mike

[Rambozo]

I wonder if there is a problem with the alternator drive rubbers?

[MikeyC]

Drive rubber? Hadn't seen that in the manual. Looks like some kind of clutch in there for the reverse gear thou, is that actually for the alternator?

[Rambozo]

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda ... alternator

Number 2 Rubber, Alternator Damper.

I was thinking they could be damaged or contaminated with something that has caused them to swell and rub on the case. I would think the smoke would have that burnt rubber smell if that was the case. Just a guess based on what you described.
A bad alternator bearing and seal could also fit this, but I would expect more noise? Check for excessive heat around that area. With the leak it sounds like you will be pulling the alternator anyway. So I bet you will locate the trouble when you do.

[MikeyC]

Thank you for the reply

[MikeyC]

O.K. I have the alternator out of the bike. I have the drive rubbers out and they look o.k. Everything has oil on it. There is a big o-ring on the back of the alternator that looks o.k. but must be leaking. Then there is the alternator coupler.

Should I be able to turn this coupler with my fingers?

Is everything behind the alternator o-ring bathed in engine oil? The coupler and the damper rubbers?

Thanks for the help

[MikeyC]

Also, am I in the right area of the forum to be asking these questions?

[terryt]

Hi there yes you are in the right place for these question

Is everything behind the alternator o-ring bathed in engine oil? The coupler and the damper rubbers? Yes there should be

Should I be able to turn this coupler with my fingers? Yes you should be able to turn this by your fingers.
It kooks like your alternator has seized up that would cause the smoke

[Rambozo]

In addition to the big o-ring, there is also a shaft seal behind the coupler that could be leaking. Is there oil inside the alternator leaking out the vents?

[MikeyC]

I thought there must be a shaft seal also after thinking about it and yes there seams to be oil in the alternator.

The alternator seams to spin smoothly (I’m going to check it out again today while fresh) it’s the coupling that stays with the back of the motor that the damper rubbers sit in that I can’t spin. I figured it was geared to the motor. I was hoping the rolling smoke would just be from oil being squirted into the alternator.
I at least need to replace both those seals I think

[MikeyC]

Alternator seams to spin smooth but there is a slight squeak. Maybe when it gets hot it starts to seize up? Is rebuilding the alternator owner possible?

[DenverWinger]

Take it to your local automotive Alternator/Starter rebuilder. They can put new seals/bearings in it. The Goldwing alternator is just an automobile alternator with a special nose for the bike engine.

[MikeyC]

Oh. Cool. Thank you. That sounds like the ticket

[MikeyC]

Just to keep you posted. I ordered a new alternator from Honda. They no longer sell just the nose cone to rebuild the alternator and the alternator shops I called all said the same thing. They can't rebuild it because the parts are not available.
If that doesn't do the trick I'll be back with more questions.
Thanks for the help