Car problems - engine noise and smell!

giddyup · 09-01-2008 8:42pm #1

Hopefully someone might be able to help.

I've two problems that may or may not be related.

06 Ford Explorer 4.0 XLT

I've been getting a nasty smell from the car over the last week (easy on the smart comments:p) - air out of a 10 year old tire type of smell. Possible fluid leak - maybe the rad -or a skunk has crawled into the engine and died.

Also in the last week or two the engine has started to make a racing noise but it's not over-revving - at least I don't think it is - the car sounds like a massive hair-dryer or a huge fan and tends to happen in lower gears. It's happening more and more frequently.

Any ideas or should I head straight for the garage.

Kimbot · 09-01-2008 8:46pm

If it smells like rotten eggs then its your cat going. Best bet is to get it to the garage asap.

cantdecide · 09-01-2008 8:48pm

Are you hearing the viscous fan?? The fan in my A6 comes on for a few moments when you turn the car on and it's downright noisy. If so, sounds like a cooling system problem/ leak. I know what you mean by that 'tyre' smell.

Masada · 09-01-2008 9:00pm

if it smells like eggs it doesnt really mean the cat is nackered paticularly on an 06 car but could just need a good run in, get it on a motorway and let it rev up and the cat will be fine. other than that its hard to diagnose exactly what the fault could be.,

giddyup · 09-01-2008 9:15pm

No - are you talking about a catalytic converter smell - it's not that. Much worse. If you've ever had a dog with dodgy anal glands it's that same smell - crazy but true - I've great olfactory senses on me.

I was kind of thinking cooling system myself. Maybe some fluid has leaked and now its knackered. I'm still just under warranty so hopefully whatever it is will be covered.

giddyup · 10-01-2008 1:13am

For the record - kudos to cantdecide for his diagnosis based on my limited and largely smell related set of facts.

Faulty rad was leaking coolant and is being replaced tomorrow morning which should resolve all the problems!

Thanks boards for the help.

blackbox · 10-01-2008 11:59am

Sounds like clutch slippage to me, which could also account for the smell.

However, judging by the model and your location I guess you have an automatic transmission, which would make my diagnosis incorrect.

Car problems - engine noise and smell!

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