There was smelly smoke coming from under the hood of my car today. What could the problem be? What's the severity/importance? What could happen if it isn't fixed right away? How expensive would it be?
2007-11-23 01:17:41 · 6 answers · asked by ameeker 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Well the "smelly smoke" is probably the coolant you smell. The problem sounds like you have a coolant leak, either in the hoses, radiator, or water pump. Most likely it's a hose, especially if they haven't been changes in years. Relatively cheap to fix. A few dollars. If it's the water pump or radiator it is going to be much more and probably not something you want to tackle with out some experience working on a car.
If it's not fixed right away the engine will over heat, if it hasn't already and will need to be replaced. That can run thousands of dollars and sometimes is not worth doing if the car is older or in otherwise bad shape. My advise is take it ot a reliable mechanic or someone who knows cars. It should not be any problem to get a quick idea of whats wrong. In the meantime make sure you keep lots of water in the radiator so it won't over heat and don't drive it far between refills!
2007-11-23 01:30:55 · answer #1 · answered by G.T. Hildebrand 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hard to really tell exactly, but it sounds like a coolant leak to me.
Could be anything from a leaky hose which could only cost a few dollars to repair. Or it could be a bad radiator. These can cost hundreds of dollars to repair.
Now that you know you have a coolant leak, you must watch coolant levels closely. If you allow the coolant level to get too low it will cause severe engine damage. You will turn a repair that would have take as little as a few dollars into a repair costing thousands of dollars.
If the leak is small, you may get buy driving it for a short time, but you should have it repaired soon. Be aware that a small leak can rupture into a large leak, leaving you stranded on the side of the road.
If decide you will drive it for a short time before you have it repaired, you must be diligent with checking your coolant level. It would be best to check it before you drive it each morning. It is best to check the coolant when the engine is cool. Opening a hot cooling system can rapidly release steam, causing severe burns!
If you find your car requiring coolant more than once a day, I would stop driving it and have it repaired.
If you have pets, keep them away from the car. Engine coolant has a sweet smell and can attract animals. COOLANT IS POISONOUS TO ANIMALS!!!!!!
At any rate, I would have this repaired as soon as possible.
2007-11-23 09:23:00 · answer #2 · answered by Mad Jack 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the smoke was clear it was steam.
If not probably something else. When a car over heats most generally you smell a sweet smell and it really smells sweet.
Cause be a bad hose , a broken belt, A stuck theromastat
and also and you best hope it is not a blown headgasket.
Most of the above cost under a 100.00 to fix but a headgasket can run up to a grand or more. Stay away from dealers unless the car is still under warranty.
2007-11-23 09:29:39 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
OK!!! You have a blown radiator. You can't drive your car with it like this at all until you get the radiator replaced. Depending on the car you have, you're looking at anywhere from 300-1000 to get it fixed. This includes labor. Get it towed to your local mechanic and have him fix it right away. Also, check to see if there's anything leaking under the car. if it's white or green or red it's antifreeze, if it's brown or black it's oil.
2007-11-23 09:25:45 · answer #4 · answered by adam c 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may have a leaking radiator, a bad hose, or other leaks in the cooling system. I'd make sure there is anti-freeze in the system before driving again or you will overheat the motor and have to replace it.
2007-11-23 13:13:54 · answer #5 · answered by thebax2006 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
over heating is the fastest way to distroy an engine
dont drive till you get it checked
you have a leak cost really depends on where it is leaking from
dont drive it till its fixed or you may blow up the engine cost $2000 to $3000
dont drive it till its fixed or you may blow up the engine cost $2000 to $3000
dont drive it till its fixed or you may blow up the engine cost $2000 to $3000
dont drive it till its fixed or you may blow up the engine cost $2000 to $3000
2007-11-23 10:25:16 · answer #6 · answered by mobile auto repair (mr fix it) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋