Smoke under Hood
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
Smoke under Hood
When we started up the car this morning, my wife noticed a wisp of smoke trailing out in front of the windshield. Killed the motor, popped the hood and the smoke seemed to be coming from around/below the accessory drive belt area. I couldn't find anything rubbing, tried to start the car again and it cranked for a second then stopped with a rather loud clack. Teensy bit more smoke.
I threw my head all over the place under the hood looking for where the smoke was coming from, couldn't find any, asked her to start it up one last time and it started up fine. There was no smoke, we let it idle a bit and then revved, still no smoke, so I gave her the go ahead to go to work in it (vette is a DD until we can get a people-mover).
I'm wondering if the starter might be going, since it only seems to smoke when cranking. She said she'd noticed a smell once before right after cranking which went away after a minute. Is this common, or at least heard of, or is there something seriously wrong with my car and I need to not let her start it up again after work?
I threw my head all over the place under the hood looking for where the smoke was coming from, couldn't find any, asked her to start it up one last time and it started up fine. There was no smoke, we let it idle a bit and then revved, still no smoke, so I gave her the go ahead to go to work in it (vette is a DD until we can get a people-mover).
I'm wondering if the starter might be going, since it only seems to smoke when cranking. She said she'd noticed a smell once before right after cranking which went away after a minute. Is this common, or at least heard of, or is there something seriously wrong with my car and I need to not let her start it up again after work?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,241
Likes: 1,091
From: Dyer, IN
When we started up the car this morning, my wife noticed a wisp of smoke trailing out in front of the windshield. Killed the motor, popped the hood and the smoke seemed to be coming from around/below the accessory drive belt area. I couldn't find anything rubbing, tried to start the car again and it cranked for a second then stopped with a rather loud clack. Teensy bit more smoke.
I threw my head all over the place under the hood looking for where the smoke was coming from, couldn't find any, asked her to start it up one last time and it started up fine. There was no smoke, we let it idle a bit and then revved, still no smoke, so I gave her the go ahead to go to work in it (vette is a DD until we can get a people-mover).
I'm wondering if the starter might be going, since it only seems to smoke when cranking. She said she'd noticed a smell once before right after cranking which went away after a minute. Is this common, or at least heard of, or is there something seriously wrong with my car and I need to not let her start it up again after work?
I threw my head all over the place under the hood looking for where the smoke was coming from, couldn't find any, asked her to start it up one last time and it started up fine. There was no smoke, we let it idle a bit and then revved, still no smoke, so I gave her the go ahead to go to work in it (vette is a DD until we can get a people-mover).
I'm wondering if the starter might be going, since it only seems to smoke when cranking. She said she'd noticed a smell once before right after cranking which went away after a minute. Is this common, or at least heard of, or is there something seriously wrong with my car and I need to not let her start it up again after work?
What smell is associated with the smoke? Rubber? Electrical? Oil?
If may be something as simple as a pulley siezing, and the belt burning. I'd get he front end in the air, remove the belt, and inspect until you find the issue.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
Smelled of burnt rubber more than anything, though it seems odd since it doesn't occur when the motor runs.
I will pull main belt off when she gets home from work and see how the belt/pullys are. If I find no issues I'll have to create a ramp so I can get under the car.
I will pull main belt off when she gets home from work and see how the belt/pullys are. If I find no issues I'll have to create a ramp so I can get under the car.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,241
Likes: 1,091
From: Dyer, IN
Most auto parts stores carry ramps...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,241
Likes: 1,091
From: Dyer, IN
