I noticed today; specifically when I started the engine it kinda choked for a second (which is unusual) but after sitting for a day, i figured it was nothing. Couple of miles up the road I noticed an odd musty smelling burn. Again I figured it was the car ahead of me; didn't think much of it.

As I continue driving still the smell; so it's clearly coming from me, I stopped to change my serpentine belt (which I've been meaning to do for months) and when I turned the engine on to make sure it was on right; I noticed a tiny bit of smoke coming from the Steering Pump/Alternator area! Nothing is hitting the ground; so I'm assuming it's not a huge leak; the reservoir isn't bone dry either, so I can't imagine it's hideously bad. Any ideas? Part of the pump leaking? bad pump? Orrrr did the weird choke in the morning cause some to squirt out and I haven't burned it all off yet????

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

If it's leaking, you will see it. Not sure what that smoke is but could it be just dust? Don't over tighten the belt as the old pump has the tendency to leak with over tighten belts.

 

I honestly do believe it may have just been over tightened and now that I've replaced the belt as it needed; along with reseating the other, it may be fine and I just need to burn off what's left.

 

I would have clean off the area before putting the belt back on. Check your fluid level.

 

Fluid level is still even with the top bar, no loss from what I can tell; I'll check again in another couple of hours, got some errands to run.
Spoke to the previous owner (my dad lol). Never had any leak issues before; thinks maybe I might have run the car alittle too hard weds before turning it off; which caused the sputter in the morning when I started it after letting it sit for a day.

Not sure; but we'll be double and triple checking it just to be sure.

 

Is the burn coming from the fluid falling onto the exhaust manifold?


ps: What part of San Antonio are you in?

 

No, nothing is hitting the exhaust at all; the burn is definitely coming from the alternator area. (The smoke happened IMMEDIATELY when I started the car; no time to get hot).


Right now I'm in the NW part; I live off of Bandera RD and Mainland Dr.

 

i think its your alternator. take off the belt and turn the car on for a few seconds. if it doesn't smoke then its your alternator

 

That's a good suggestion, but I'm back to work tomorrow not much time to test it; but my radar detector has a good battery voltage meter on it; I'll be keeping a close eye on it for any dips in power! If it turns out to be that; I'll let you know.