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somethings burning?

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longbridgehealey

longbridgehealey

Obi Wan
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Hi, Spriget people...Last night my wife came home in her Sprite, and said she smelled something hot while she was driving, and there was a little SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN SHE PARKED. :rolleyes: When I get home today I'm obviously going to look at it - here's the question, what all am I looking for? All of her fluids should be fine, she has a new wiring harness as of last fall, brakes are all new and she said the engine wasn't running hot according to her gauge, had good oil pressure...What obvious things should I be checking??

Thanks!
Larry
 
Got a smoke color? Oil spilled on exhaust manifold from either leak or adding a quart.
 
Could be, she said she added "some" oil a couple of days ago. That would be a good answer :yesnod:
 
Hi Larry,
I would start with looking at the exhaust manifold area and make sure nothing hasnt started leaking oil or gas onto it somehow. I had a breather line from my carb that would condensate and the way it was set up drip onto the manifold. It would burn it off giving it a bit of smoke and odor. Ended up needing rerouted. The other thing would be look at the entire exhaust and make sure nothing broke or shifted and now its sitting against it burning. If the temp gauge is showing good I think your coolant system is not leaking and doing fine yet it wouldnt actually smell like something is on fire anway I dont think. Try and pinpoint the location of the smoke and let us know whats in the area. Could be electrical also.
Good luck,
Sweendog (Larry)
 
Thanks, sounds like looking for something leaking onto the exhaust system is the first order of business. I'll let you know!
 
this happens to my 79 all the time when I top off the oil. When it's full, oil blows out of the dip stick hole and onto the exhaust. Presto smoke from under the hood and out of the front right wheel well.

Looks like trouble but I know it's just part of the car's charm.
 
hey it could be something easy like she left the oil fill cap off, I think everyone has done that at one time or another. think that is why they put a cable on the cap LOL.
 
OK, problem solved. I should make it a contest to see who could guess what it was :crazyeyes: After checking all of the things under the hood, I took a closer look - this time with a little more light - underneath the car, and there it was. A large plastic bag, wrapped around the exhaust, and 90% melted. :wall: Boy, was that ever hard to get off!! Thanks everybody for the suggestions, just goes to show, sometimes you get lucky, and you get an easy (relatively) fix.

Larry
 
I have had that happen too! It is truly amazing how tough is is to get a "baked-on" shopping bag off!!!
 
I think the 20% I couldn't get will just have to burn off - makes for some interesting conversations!!

Larry
 
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