I have a 1994 Ford Tempo. It has been kept in excellent condition. I'm kind of an idiot when it comes to cars, but I looked under teh hood and saw that it was smoking a bit and had a smell to it. I think its a combination of two things, I'm out of coolant and low on oil. When I put the oil in where do I put it and what is coolant? isn't that just water or is that something I have to buy from the store? my mecahnic is out of town, I usually let him deal with everything.
2006-11-27 03:54:41 · 8 answers · asked by chocolate_sista_4_life 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Go to a quick-oil change place. They will change your oil and check and top-off all of your fluids for a very affordable price.
You might have a leaking coolant hose that is spraying coolant on a hot surface of the engine causing both the smoke and the loss of coolant.
Oil goes in the filler neck under the knob/cap marked "oil".
Coolant is a mixture of 50% water and %50 antifreeze. It keeps the engine at the right temperature. Without it the engine will overheat and could become badly damaged.
2006-11-27 04:01:29 · answer #1 · answered by skim_halo 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should learn how to check your oil level yourself.
From what you say, the motor should be running hot, if it is still running at all. There should be a light or gauge on the dash that says the engine is too hot.
If someone added oil and a little leaked onto the engine block, it would smoke a little and smell.
There should be a stick coming out of the engine block with a curved handle, marked "oil." After the engine has been off a while, so the oil runs back down into the oil pan at the bottom of the engine, pull it out, wipe it off with a rag or paper towel, put it back in gently, all the way, then pull it back out and look at the bottom end. There will be marks showing where the oil is too low and where it should be when properly filled. There should be oil clinging to the stick, and it should be between the two marks. If there is NO oil sticking to it, do not run the engine without putting at least a quart in and checking to see if the level has gone up. Repeat as needed. It's better to leave the stick out while putting oil in, so it doesn't splash up the stick and give you a false reading.
There will be a big bakelite or metal knob that you turn to access the motor for pouring oil in it. If it needs oil, put some in. If it has been overfilled, which is what it sounds like, unless it has been way overfilled, just drive around, it will burn off eventually.
Coolant, usually a combination of antifreeze and water, goes into a large plastic container hanging from just behind the grill, on the right or left, It is marked "coolant" usually. The windshield fluid is behind the engine, near the windshield wipers. Don't get them mixed up. There will be a line on the contained that shows where the level should be when the engine is hot, and when it is cold. If the fluid is below where it is supposed to be, add water and antifreeze (the ratio depends on where you live and how cold it gets). You can buy a cheap tester that looks like a small baster, or a plastic squeezable ball attached to a short hose with small colored balls in it. It will tell you what the lowest temperature your coolant mixture is mixed for.
2006-11-27 04:18:13 · answer #2 · answered by thylawyer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get some blue coolant and mix it with mineral water. You may have too much oil in which could account for smoke. Check the oil dipstick level and make sure it's between the 2 lines. Warm up the engine slightly then check it after 10 mins. To find location of dipstick check the manual or look on line for details of your car. It's good stuff to learn else it can get expensive if you don't treat em right!
2006-11-27 03:58:51 · answer #3 · answered by Neil555 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had smoke coming from my engine once while driving. It ended up being a leak in the coolant hose spraying on something hot. You should go to another mechanic for the time being.
2006-11-27 04:07:03 · answer #4 · answered by Nicole 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
White smoke sounds like antifreeze leak somewhere. If see it in the vents check heater hoses to the heater. Clamps might be loose. Burning rubber smell is oil on the manifold. Check your valve cover gsks.Probably quit smoking because your are low on antifreeze, repair it soon or you will have engine problems
2016-05-23 10:05:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you have an oil leak. Go to a mechanic before the build up starts a fire
2006-11-27 03:56:31 · answer #6 · answered by keith s 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try this.. consult the owner's manual. They come in handy, and thats why you should have one.
2006-11-27 03:57:11 · answer #7 · answered by All I have to do is dream... 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
pull over
2006-11-27 04:13:51 · answer #8 · answered by CoCo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋