Now what's wrong? Burning smell
 

Okay ...now what's up?

As I was driving home from atlantic city (about 50 miles) I initially started the car and I was driving out of the garage I heard a loud howling noise that increased in frequency as the revs increased...if the revs were below 2,000 the noise couldn't be heard, as it was >2000 I heard it ...great. If the car is in nuetral and I rev the engine, I can't hear it.

I figured it was one of the accessories being driven off the belt so just kept going. After about 10 minutes of driving it went away and I didn't notice any driveability issues. No idiot lights, no temp gauge fluctuation. Odd.

As I was pulling into my apartment complex I began to small a burned rubber smell - almost like a burnt clutch smell on a manual car. No idiot lights, temp gauge below half - after my 50 mile trip. I wasn't beating on the car so now I'm confused. I park it and go to sleep.

Next day I go out, open the hood and start her up. I noticed smoke coming from the bottom of the engine and upward. The burn smell is noticeable and then the puff of smoke stops and doesn't return. ..............okay.

So now, everytime on initial startup the burn smell is noticeable and then seems to dimenish slightly. If I put the heat/vents on you can somewhat smell it coming through the vents.

I checked all the fluids ...they all feel and smell fine with nothing weird. Keep in mind there's also no driveability issues ...the car drives fine....but it's been about 3-4 days and the smell is still there.

Now the howling noise is gone, but burning smell still there. Any ideas? Differential maybe? - why doesn't the diff fluid smell? If I smell burning wouldn't i smell it in the fluids?!

Possibly an accessory belt slipping?

You say you noticed smoke coming from the bottom of the engine... in front, or from one side?

dcb

It looked like from both side (mostly the passenger) but towards the back. Now that I think about it, I noticed a slight leak from a power steering hose that went into that area ...maybe the leak has gotten worse and fluid is burning off on the exhaust ....still doesn't explain the howling sound though considering the ps reservoir is full. I'll have to check out the ps system.

I drove the car from home to my friends back to school ...basically - it wasn't til 300 miles of driving when this all happened.

it's a possibility your catalytic converter just clogged. check in your intake tract for oil too cause your pcv valve could be clogged which then blew oil into your intake which then put oil on the cats and made them melt and clog. also if the pcv valve clogs it can make your valve cover gaskets leak which may be the smoking problem. just some ideas of things to look at cause i've already had to deal with it.

I'll put my money on a siezed t-belt idler pulley.....

I'll second that... or the water pump... Either way I'd quit driving it until I found out. T-belt idlers add up fast if one siezes and shocks the others. Five idlers (@ ca. $125 ea.) plus water pump and tensioner = waaaaaa!

So how do I isolate everything to figure out what's going on? Just start taking things off/apart?

This might be the last of my svx ...might have to find a replacement and keep this one for parts or part it out

Take a closer look and see if it seems to be coming from inside the plastic covers behind the belts. If it does, look in the how-to locker for timing belt replacement.

Pull off (or just get a light and look at) your pullleys immediately and see if there is burnt rubber stuck to them. Give them each a turn, see if they move freely.
If the water pump was bad your temp would be skyrocketing and your resevoir would be boiling.
You might even want to remove your crank pulley and see if oil is baked onto it.

My baby got me home! She's still messed up but what a car - needs fixing but can wait til just the right time

So a check engine light popped on today and I checked the codes ...it read out:

21- Coolant Temperature Sensor or Circuit

Which would make sense considering I was putting the blame to my problems on the water pump or something in that area.

I need some advice on where to start...

-What exactly does "coolant temp sensor" mean? replace thermostat? I guess I should just replace the water pump regardless considering it's old.

-Could something in the cooling system be related to my burning smell? I'm suddenly getting anxious thinking that maybe I'm burning coolant in the engine :(

Coolant temp sensor is on the rear drivers side of the engine block. It is very easy to change. A quick search will give you a how-to and pics. Part is ~$20.

I'd say you're probably smelling oil (or ATF/PS fluid) burning off the exhaust headers.

dcb

I'm very happy right now.

I got the sensor yesterday from the dealer ($31 after tax) and installed it this morning. Check engine light went away and I honestly have to say I think she's a lot smoother on a cold start. Before the revs would fluctuate +/- 500Rpms and settle down (or up I should say) to about 1500. Now she just climbs up to about 1300 until shes warm to a nice 600rpms.

Also - I think I found the burning smell. I noticed today that my A/C doesn't blow cold anymore so I looked into it. I opened the hood and noticed the compressor spins every other go around of the belt ...sometimes the belt wasn't even moving. I shut the A/C off and took a closer look. The belt is shot ...real bad, chunks are missing out of it and it's got cracks in it. I don't think it was improper belt tension either because it's still on there pretty tight (not too tight). Maybe the pulley on that belt or compressor wheel is shot.

So I think it makes perfect sense. All the fluids are still perfectly full so I don't see how a burning smell could arrive from fluid leaks when they're all topped off, and have been for about 500 miles now. It's gotta be that belt. I'm hoping maybe the tension wasn't good - then I'd be getting away with about $40 worth of parts for a rough idle/stalling and burnt fluid smell.

Not bad :)

Oh and thanks for the help - the temp sensor was a 5 minute job. Was I supposed to use any teflon tape on the threads? There's no leaks after a quick 20min test drive.

Yeah I have a burning smell coming into the cabin as well. Only happens when i have the climate control on. Its gotta be the oil dripping down onto the exhaust or something because i do have oil leaks. My oil level is still normal though :cool: