i think my car might be dying!!!!!

[astra-paul]

i was driving my car today and it is making a weird whirring noise and when i got home i could smell burning i popped the bonnet and couldnt see anything wrong the oil level is fine the water topped up. if anyone else has had similar problems any advice would be appreciated

 

[D4N13L]

Check its not the belts coming loose

 

[Lefthooker]

whirring noise,, you waz in a elichoppter mate !!

only kidding ..
need a bit more info bud .. what did it smell of ,, where was it coming from ,, front back side ?? Where was the noise coming from ??

 

[astra-paul]

the smell was like burning plastic the noise was coming from the engine but not sure where abouts all the belts are fine as only changed cam belt and timing belt a month ago and has been running fine up until today

 

[Turboshed]

Hmmm, this sounds somewhat like a belt has moved, like the cambelt is sliding off the pulleys. Have you checked this also? It also sounds like it might be the alternator or clutch, as they make a noise when they are dying

 

[astra-paul]

the clutch was done 3 months ago and it was brand new not reconditioned how will i know if it was the alternator

 

[Turboshed]

Alternators make a whine when the bearings in them start to fail, but this could also start out as a whir. Does the sound increase in pitch as the engine is revved, or does it stay the same? It might help of you revved the engine from the engine bay, to be able to pinpoint it more accurately

 

[astra-paul]

its the same sound when accelerating it doesnt change but it only whirrs when im accelereating not at idle

 

[sirusmk3]

my mates honda civic makes a whirring sound and his altinator is on its way out.

 

[Astraguy09]

Can I just say that if there is a smell of burning plastic then you want to check that the cambelt/alt belt hasn't come out of tension and started to rub on the plastic cover!! pull the cambelt cover off and check that there isn't any sign of rubbing on either belts.

 

[ajdec]

cam belt

its the same sound when accelerating it doesnt change but it only whirrs when im accelereating not at idle

think u better check the cam belt mate i would could be rubing

 

[astra-paul]

i checked it this morning took it all off and its fine no sign of rubbing on the belt or cover an its not loose its a mystery im goin to take it all apart the weekend as not using it till then try and find out what it is as its doing my head in now lol

 

[dcb996]

if it only does it when driving check the brakes on the front or drive shafts...sounds daft but if it only does it when driving not tick over, its gotta be summat that only moves when driven i guess??? if all the belts are fine

 

[astra-paul]

the noise has gone now but the smell is still there so i had a sniff by the wheels and think it mite be the brakes after all as the smell was stronger near the wheels gonna get them off the weekend and replace pads and discs etc.

 

[Lefthooker]

you should really try to find out why the brakes (if it is the brakes) got stuck. By erplacing the pads and discs you run the risk of ruining them quickly too. You might have a sticky caliper. When you get the calipers off, make sure they are not siezed.

 

[wayne1]

give the calipers a good clean . chip off any rush that on them aswell

 

[astra-paul]

thanks for all the advice and help guys hopefully get to the bottom of this soon as its starting to annoy me now lol

 

[astra-paul]

just got it up on the ramps at work and found that the sump gasket is leaking and dripping oil onto the manifold which is burning and causing the smell so thats that mystery sorted and the whirring noise has gone so must have rectified itself but topped it up with oil and should be getting the gasket replaced next week so happy days the car lives on!!!!!!