I can't get my car to the shop until monday, but I noticed recently that there's a smell coming from the engine that smells like burning oil. today the heater wouldn't heat and then i realized the car was overheating. the burning smell is definitely not transmission fluid, it smells like oil or something. it's a 99 subaru forester if that helps. anything come to mind?
2007-12-22 09:13:02 · 10 answers · asked by SpiderDijonRevisted 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
thanks everybody, you've all been very helpful!
2007-12-22 10:49:44 · update #1
it will be best not to use your car again to avoid further damage..the smell that you've smelled is the engine oil that is being over burned or eaten away by the engine..
i believe your heads gaskets are burned as well..
your piston rings and pistons may also could have been damaged.
2007-12-29 18:56:17 · answer #1 · answered by mackie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your thermostat is stuck shut by the sound of it.
The smell you are noticing is either of two things-the grime on the engine's outside (grease, old spilled oil, etc.) heating up and giving off a smell or it's the oil vapor from the PCV vent.
The hotter the engine oil gets, the more vapor it gives off. The vent is under the hood and is doing it's job.
Trouble is-oil that's vaporizing isn't lubricating. Seized engine=very expensive boat anchor. Get your car to a shop or to a handy friend to replace the thermostat so coolant can flow and your engine will no longer overheat.
The thermostat is dirt cheap and the gasket that goes with it is even cheaper. The job isn't very difficult at all.
If you have to drive your car any distance to get it repaired-pop the hood but leave the safety catch hooked (to let cool air into the engine compartment) and turn on the heater full blast and drive very gently but quickly to where you're getting it fixed. Do NOT idle at stoplights-go around them if necessary via a different route. Be very gentle on the throttle and try to avoid steep hills. Idling and loading the engine will make it heat up very quickly. Shutting off the engine will not speed up the cooling process if it gets too hot. The engine immediately goes into a "heat-soak" mode (No coolant flowing) when you shut it down and can take hours to cool down.
Better to have somebody replace the thermostat where the car is than risk destroying the engine or causing an underhood fire.
Before you drive-make absolutely sure to check (when the car is overnight cold) that the coolant in the radiator is FULL and that the engine oil level is correct.
2007-12-22 09:28:54 · answer #2 · answered by the_manic_mechanic 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
1) Check coolant level. If you forgot to add antifreeze for the winter, water may be frozen in the radiator and not circulating to the car or heater core. If low, add antifreeze.
2) If that did not fix the problem, check to see if coolant is circulating. Warm the car up for 5 minutes. Take off the radiator cap and peek inside to see if water is flowing from the top input hose. If not, your thermostat is stuck closed or your water pump is toast. If the water pump is bad, water will seep out of holes on the water pump. Get under the car and look at the water pump or the casing outside the water pump. If water drips out here, the water pump is bad.
3) If the pump appears ok, replace the thermostat. On most Japanese front wheel drive cars, the thermostat is at the end of the bottom fat radiator hose that connects at the engine near the water pump. Loosen 3 bolts and it's out. It's an easy job. Get the Haynes manual at Autozone or Checkers for your car.
2007-12-23 02:59:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
how cold is it there? if it is cold there, are you sure your coolant protection is down where it should be? IF the coolant is protected to anywhere in the neighborhood of 25 - 40 below zero. Your symptom sound like there might be ice in the engine or some hoses. then check your your engine cooling fan, is it working? if it is belt driven is the belt on? if electric, is the fan plugged in or does the fan spin free? (be careful when testing this! there are some cars that the fan will start up with the ignition off!) after all this and your sure the coolant is sufficient then check the thermostat. i hope this helps GOOD LUCK
2016-05-25 23:33:51 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your thermostate stuck shut or you have a pluged radiator.
If it's your theromostate you can remove it but you won't have much heat unless you put a new one in. Here's how you can check it . WHEN YOUR CARS COOL. Do not remove the radiator cap when it's hot. Remove it and start the car wait and see if the fluid (antifrezze) starts swirling around if it doesn't it's your theromostate or you got a pluged radiator.
It must get warm to open the theromastate
2007-12-22 09:37:01 · answer #5 · answered by Kris Z 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Could me many things, if your heat was working prior to this happening then you might have a coolant leak in a hose, heater control valve, water pump, radiator etc....I probably wouldn't drive it as you can do severe damage by doing so. I would get it to a reputable repair facility (most are closed until wednesday) for a proper diagnosis of the situation.
2007-12-22 09:19:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Sounds like you are simply low on coolant.
Top up your radiator and overflow tank before driving anywhere.
Then check for leaks.
2007-12-22 10:07:25 · answer #7 · answered by Bert from Brandon 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
sounds like your thermostat or water pump might have gone bad. The smell you are probably smelling is antifreeze.
2007-12-22 09:16:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Have you checked your anti freeze? You may be really low and need to fill it.
Same thing happened to a friend
2007-12-22 09:23:55 · answer #9 · answered by I'm here 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm with Bert on this one ,,Thumbs up Bert
2007-12-22 12:04:46 · answer #10 · answered by Noah's Ark 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋