My Engine is Grinding!!!

[dmorlow]

Ok, I know it isn't my engine doing it. It is most likely something hooked up to it like the alternator or power steering. But I am hoping that if I describe the symptoms and when it does it, somebody could throw out a good guess. Maybe somebody had this exact same problem.

It started a few days ago. I was stuck in a traffic jam and all the sudden I heard a little grinding and some smoke started to come from under the hood. I could smell burning rubber inside the car. I pulled over and opened the hood and there was burning rubber smoke coming from the front passenger side of the car (kind of around the front of the accessory belt).

The last few days, its been getting worse. But the time it does it the worse is when I first start the car. The grinding is very loud. You could probably hear it an 1/8 of a mile away I bet.

Yesterday I thought I noticed when I turned on the air conditioning, it started to do it. But then I turned off the air (turned the knob completely to off) and it still did it so it shouldn't be the air. Then I turned a corner and it started to do it. But then I stopped the car after the noise stopped and it didn't repeat it. It turned without making any noise.

For the past few starts, it does it when I first start the car and then it goes away after a minute or two. I think it might be there very faintly though all the time. I am not getting any error lights or check engine lights inside the car. Lately it hasn't been smelling like burning rubber though.

And, another thing, how does people get at that side of the engine with the motor mount there? Just put a jack under the engine? I am thinking about using a cherry picker to lift the engine when I take the mount off unless somebody has a better idea.

Thanks,

David

[Retro-D]

I had nearly the same thing happen on my 95 Aurora yesterday. On my car it was the a/c compressor locking up and toasting the clutch on the compressor ( plenty of smoke ). Even with the a/c off there is still noise now, I obtained a local quote of $1,100 for a new compressor with clutch, flush the system, new accumulator and orifice tube and all labor included. I may attempt d.i.y. as I have a vacuum pump available. New (not rebuilt) compressors are available for about $320 and up if you check around.

[dsatt12]

You should probably be able to see your voltage dropping in the DIC, especially at idle if it's your alternator taking a dump.

[j2hott23]

i've been there. Believe me its the AC Compressor

[dmorlow]

Well, yesterday my car died. I started it up and all the sudden my power steering went out, my volts light came on, I had an error light on the center console saying my charging system wasn't working. I opened up my hood and my belt was broke. I am going to have my car on the hoist in a few minutes to see what else broke that caused the belt to break. I will know more later.

[cmdrgala]

Hello:

That problem you described is the AC Compressor going out.
Get intoi repairs as soon as possible because the ac cluch coild also sieze making the car hard to hard.

The clucj smell was the acutal ac cluch seizing up.

You are looking at $ 700 to $ 1100.00 repair.
You can save by buying the parts on line and having a good shop intall and refill the system.

Good Luck

[HARDTIMER]

yes Dmorlow I just had THE SAME EXACT symptoms. It was my compressor. Just had it done about a month ago. $700.16

[dmorlow]

Well, I got the car apart and the AC compressor's pulley is completely seized up. It is going to cost me about $300 for the new compressor. I'm doing the labor myself. I just need to take it in and have the system evacuated and recharged when I am done. Shouldn't cost more than $500 when all said and done.

[Chuckk1]

Same happened to me....250 miles from home. Was the compressor - $900.