Troubleshooting Tips For Your Auto

From Larry's Auto and Truck Service

Has this ever happened to you? You are driving your car and you notice a noise. You hear a squeak, or a squeal. Perhaps it now rattles or rumbles. Perhaps you smell a strange odor??? It begins to smell like rotten eggs or burned toast. Perhaps you notice drips and stains that are red or dark brown. Perhaps you notice Yellowish green, pastel blue or florescent orange stains under your car. We have compiled a list as to what some of these things just may mean.  

Some common noises and what they mean:

Squeal - A shrill, sharp noise, usually related to engine speed:

• Loose or worn power steering, fan or air conditioning belt.

Click - A slight sharp noise, related to either engine speed or vehicle speed:

• Loose wheel cover.
• Loose or bent fan blade.
• Stuck valve lifter or low engine oil.

Screech - A high-pitched, piercing metallic sound; usually occurs while the vehicle is in motion:

• Caused by brake wear indicators to let you know it's time for maintenance.

Rumble - a low-pitched rhythmic sound.

• Defective exhaust pipe, converter or muffler.
• Worn universal joint or other drive-line component.

Ping - A high-pitched metallic tapping sound, related to engine speed:

• Usually caused by using gas with a lower octane rating than recommended. Check your owner's manual for the proper octane rating. If the problem persists, engine ignition timing could be at fault.

Heavy Knock - A rhythmic pounding sound:

• Worn crankshaft or connecting rod bearings.
•  Loose transmission torque converter.

Clunk - A random thumping sound:

• Loose shock absorber or other suspension component.
• Loose exhaust pipe or muffler.

Some problems are under your nose. You can detect them by their odor:

  

• The smell of burned toast - a light, sharp odor - often signals an electrical short and burning insulation. To be safe, try not to drive the vehicle until the problem is diagnosed.

• The smell of rotten eggs - a continuous burning-sulphur smell - usually indicates a problem in the catalytic converter or other emission control devices. Don't delay diagnosis and repair.

• A thick acrid odor usually means burning oil. Look for sign of a leak.

• The smell of gasoline vapors after a failed start may mean you have flooded the engine. Wait a few minutes before trying again. If the odor persists, chances are there's a leak in the fuel system - a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention.

• Burning resin or an acrid chemical odor may signal overheated brakes or clutch. Check the parking brake. Stop. Allow the brakes to cool after repeated hard braking on mountain roads. Light smoke coming from a wheel indicates a stuck brake. The vehicle should be towed for repair.

• A sweet, steamy odor indicates a coolant leak. If the temperature gauge or warning light does not indicate overheating, drive carefully to the nearest service station, keeping an eye on your gauges. If the odor is accompanied by a hot, metallic scent and steam from under the hood, your engine has overheated. Pull over immediately. Continued driving could cause severe engine damage. The vehicle should be towed for repair.

 You can identify fluids by their color and consistency:

Small stains or an occasional drop of fluid under your vehicle may not mean much. But wet spots deserve attention; check puddles immediately.

• Yellowish green, pastel blue or florescent orange colors indicate an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak caused by a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator.
• A dark brown or black oily fluid means the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or gasket could cause the leak.
• A red oily spot indicates a transmission or power-steering fluid leak.
• A puddle of clear water usually is no problem. It may be normal condensation from your vehicle's air conditioner.

 

Larry’s Auto and Truck Service Repair Center is located in Cape Coral FL and offers complete maintenance and repair services for all makes and models, both import and domestic cars and trucks. 830 S.E. 9th Street, Cape Coral, FL 33990 Phone: (239) 458-1141

Mr. B’s Alignment and Brakes - the suspension and alignment experts. 842 SE 9th Street Cape Coral, Florida 33990 239-574-6667

Florida Torque Converter - the largest inventory of torque converters in stock ready to ship. Shop with us on Ebay.