Driving home from work today and I noticed my car was acting funny. It seemed to be rev'ing a little slower than usual. I had the heat on and it started to smell really sweet, which is when I started getting worried.

As I pulled into my driveway, it started making a loud whining/whirling sound. I popped the hood and tried to pinpoint where it was coming from. Using a big screw driver put to my ear, I poked around. The loudest was when I put it on the alternator, but it doesn't make sense with the other symptoms, does it? (But I have long expected my alternator was on its way out) Well, whatever it is was causing the engine to vibrate much more than usual.

I checked the oil, quart low. I check it regularly and in the winter I rarely drive my car hard so this concerned me. Coolant was also a little low. No drips, leaks, seepage anywhere I could see.

Any ideas/suggestions?

 

You definitely have coolant leak somewhere based on the fact that you got a sweet smell and a low coolant level. First place to check would be your water pump.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vinuneuro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You definitely have coolant leak somewhere based on the fact that you got a sweet smell and a low coolant level. First place to check would be your water pump.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I checked around it, no visible leaks. I'm 90% sure the water pump was replaced by the previous owner at 90k (currently 120k). I'm now worried it might have to do with the auto-tensioner.

Any more suggestions to look for? I have only glanced at it, going to get under it this weekend, but would like to know what to look for.


Modified by iLude at 1:36 PM 1/12/2007