If this needs to be moved to another forum, I apologize.

Hey guys...I used to post here a lot. Quite a different looking board these days.

Anyway...I did some forum searching but my problem too closely matched other problems, so the searches weren't fruitful.


I have a 93 rex that I only occasionally have the money to insure (I only insure it during sunnier months since I live in Oregon) but have not had money in a while. I had to leave my car uninsured and therefore un-driven for almost a year now.

I started her up today, and after a jump, she was running as good as ever. I was surprised, and pleased. However, there was an odd smell coming from the exhaust. It smells 'hot' like burning. It doesn't smell like anything specific burning. The hood seemed to be kind of hotter than I remember it getting in the past. The coolant light never came on, and the engine temp never rose above the 1/2 mark. Now, as awful as it is, this car has spent its time outside, and I'm sure leaves have fallen into the engine area, so take that into consideration.

Any ideas what this may be?

redig

 

it's just probably burning the residue that accumulated in the exaust...could be wrong though..

 

Addition: There seems to be something leaking from the passenger side of the car at the very front (just below the radiator coolant nozzle). It's not oil, and it doesn't seem to be anti-freeze. In fact, it seems to be clear and odorless, like, say, water.

And the heat was coming from the radiator. I suppose I just need more radiator fluid?

Sorry about my incompetence...I haven't dealt with this stuff in a while.

 

Make sure your exhaust is clear. I had a mouse take up residence in my muffler. He got cooked and it smelled awful.

 

Have you considered any of the specialty insurers? Everyone's situation is different, but if it works out for you, could be only around $100-200/year. Then it would not have to sit idle for such long intervals. Good luck.

 

Yea, I'll have to take a close look. Strangely enough, the smell was actually kinda nice. Is it wrong to like roasted mouse?? As of right now, it is pouring, so I'll check it out next sunny day.


Yea...thanks for the suggestion. I was recently told about the specialty insurers and planned on using them if I ever came across some money. Luckily, though, I recently picked up a pretty good paying job that should last me a while, so I may be able to insure it fully. Plus, I turned 21 in January which should help a little.


Thanks for the responses

Oh...also...I think I found the source of the leak, but I'm trying to figure out what to do. The plastic radiator coolant fill line has a place where it can be separated. It looks as though there was a seem there, and it's not exactly like a crack in a straw....it looks as though there was a through joint there...as if it were meant to be able to expand. The seam is wet however...and seems a likely suspect for the leak. I've been trying to find pertinent info.

 

Sure hope I don't have any problems, I'm getting ready to store my FD for the winter, but I think I'll start it every weekend so the fluids just don't sit there for 5 months.