Shopsmith Forums

Well that explains the 'pop'.

I believe the leaking oil and the 'smoke' are unrelated.

Check the cap for it's capacitance value and working voltage. Other than that, physical size and terminals is all that matters.

You made history! Any one remember this happening on the forum before?

Thanks for all the input. I think
I,all be making a trip to the motor repair shop as soon as the snowstorm is gone.
As far as making history,
I'm glad
I could help. Maybe it happened to someone else they were just too embarrassed to say.
I really like this forum. I read it all the time to answer other questions I have to things I've done wrong. Thanks again for all the info.If I can get it fixed I'll let you know.

If it is a GE motor the cap is external under a sheet metal housing. If it is an Emerson motor then the cap is internal under one of the endcaps and will require disassembling the motor. An easy job for any competent electric motor repair shop.
Bill V

If it was the cap, AND it was not a 'dry' capacitor, there is electrolyte spewed inside the motor. Only a problem for the insulators(phenolic). Thorough cleaning of the start switch parts should fix that.

FWIW I have a motor with a capacitor that had the terminal end separated from the body of the capacitor as pictured on e-bay. Needless to say I got it for my opening(late) bid. Probably the only bid!

Pushed it back into the body, taped the end, and it is still running(starting).

Point being, it is RARELY the start capacitor. Switching to it is usually the culprit.

Sorry it took so long for me to get back. Here is an update: I don't know anything about motors, so bare with me as I try to explain what happened.
The man at the motor repair store told me that the windings that run the motor were burnt. He said that half the windings are to start the motor and the other half is what runs the motor. He said that the windings that start the motor are the ones to usually burn first. In my case he said that there must have been a lot of resistance on the motor. That makes sense, since the sheave has been rubbing against the motor cover for who knows how long.
Now that it is being rewound with new bearings and a new capacitor and complete overhaul, this motor should last a long time. I will make sure that I oil it often, not like the previous owner, and maintain it like it should have been from the beginning.
Once again, I would like to thank everyone with their input to try and solve my predicament. I should get the motor back tomorrow or the next day and I'll be in the shop again. Thanks again.

kaynyne wrote: The man at the motor repair store told me that the windings that run the motor were burnt.

Once AGAIN it wasn't a "check the capacitor" problem.