OK I have used my car last two times (just travelling 3 miles not far) and I get home & it smells sort of like burning rubber under the hood. Also, I don't think the heater is working too well, maybe related or not? So what could this be? How do I know if I need coolant or not and does it go into the radiator? Or could there be a hose leak? Thank you!!!
2007-02-05 14:38:11 · 3 answers · asked by Lake Lover 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It has 143,000 miles on it.
2007-02-05 14:41:17 · update #1
The radiator cap says Do Not Open, but isn't that what I have to open to put in coolant?
2007-02-05 14:41:56 · update #2
Lake:
The '94 Merc comes with two engines: a 3.0L and 3.8L.
The 3.0L is pretty solid and probably not the source of problem.
The 3.8L is known for cooling system problems that result from coolant leaking from either the heads, and/or the timing cover.
However, leaking or burning coolant is not usually described like burning rubber.
The heater not working well could be related to low coolant, or the engine not operating at correct temperature. The cap that says "do not remove" should also say "when hot". This cap can be taken off after, say one hour of non-operation. To the left of the radiator cap is a combined radiator overflow tank and window washer fluid tank. Engine coolant can be added there, but it would be helpful to look inside the radiator to see if there is any fluid there. If the radiator is too low, then not enough vacuum can be generated by the cooling system to draw coolant in from the overflow tank.
That said, the key point is determining why the fluid would be low to begin with. A pressure test on the radiator is a good place to start. A shop with smog machine can test tailpipe emissions to see if they are elevated from coolant being burned by the engine. Another neat smog trick is inserting the probe in the top of the radiator (but not in the coolant) to see if Hydrocarbons (HC) are present in the coolant. This would happen if the head gasket is blown.
The burning smell could also come from the serpentine belt. A wire that is shorted or touching a hot manifold will produce this smell. Same for vacuum line.
This analysis is pretty easy for a smog shop. This fix will probably be expensive!
Good luck,
Marc
2007-02-05 15:02:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The burning rubber smell could be a belt going bad, If the heater is not working well you might also be leaking or just plain out of coolant. You can take the radiator cap off but you do not want to do it when the engine is hot/warm. I would stop by a full service gas station if there is one nearby and have them check your levels.
2007-02-05 14:50:19 · answer #2 · answered by zyre_mercutio 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would check your serpentine belt first that controls most of the engine and if its going it will smell like burnt rubber. good luck
2007-02-05 14:59:09 · answer #3 · answered by MARIO R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋