HEADING OFF PROBLEMS
by Mac Meguire

The more you know about your vehicle, the more likely you'll be able to head off repair problems. You can detect many common vehicle problems by using your senses: Eyeballing the area around your vehicle, listening for strange noises, sensing a difference in the way your vehicle handles, or even noticing unusual odors.

• Yellowish green, pastel blue or florescent orange colors indicate an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak caused by a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator.
  
  
• A dark brown or black oily fluid means the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or gasket could cause the leak.
  
  
• A red oily spot indicates a transmission or power steering fluid leak.
  
  
• A puddle of clear water usually is no problem. It may be normal condensation from your vehicle's air conditioner.

• The smell of burned toast - a light, sharp odor - often signals an electrical short and burning insulation. To be safe, try not to drive the vehicle until the problem is diagnosed.
  
  
• The smell of rotten eggs - a continuous burning-sulphur smell - usually indicates a problem in the catalytic converter or other emission control devices. Don't delay diagnosis and repair.
  
  
• A thick acrid odor usually means burning oil. Look for sign of a leak.
  
  
• The smell of gasoline vapors after a failed start may mean you have flooded the engine. Wait a few minutes before trying again. If the odor persists, chances are there's a leak in the fuel system - a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention.
  
  
• Burning resin or an acrid chemical odor may signal overheated brakes or clutch. Check the parking brake. Stop. Allow the brakes to cool after repeated hard braking on mountain roads. Light smoke coming from a wheel indicates a stuck brake. The vehicle should be towed for repair.
  
  
• A sweet, steamy odor indicates a coolant leak. If the temperature gauge or warning light does not indicate overheating, drive carefully to the nearest service station, keeping an eye on your gauges. If a hot, metallic scent and steam from under the hood accompany the odor, your engine has overheated. Pull over immediately. Continued driving could cause severe engine damage. The vehicle should be towed for repair.

• Squeal - A shrill, sharp noise, usually related to engine speed:
  
  
• Loose or worn power steering, fan or air conditioning belt.
  
  
• Click - A slight sharp noise, related to either engine speed or vehicle speed:
  
  
• Loose wheel cover.
  
  
• Loose or bent fan blade.
  
  
• Stuck valve lifter or low engine oil.
  
  
• Screech - A high-pitched, piercing metallic sound; usually occurs while the vehicle is in motion, Caused by brake wear indicators to let you know its time for maintenance.