Anyone? Hot Houston summer

Left radiator cap off, drove the car, all fluid evaporated, engine overheated and died. After cooling, can still crank and engine runs. Replaced the radiator and all topped off all fluids. Note, cooling fan driven by power steering fluid.

Now.....when a/c engaged and cooling fan kicks in, major squeeling heard between engine and and fire wall. Then light smoke also appears in the region of the squeeling.

Help, my brothers.

Tom

 

Got a feeling this is a power steering pump issue. I noticed the reservoir overflowed when I opend the filler cap.....looked nasty.
Tom

 

The A/C compressor and alternator are driven by a belt that is driven by the engines harmonic balance pulley.

Coolant could have spewed out of the radiator onto this belt and damaged it. The result is the damaged belt is unable to fully grip the compressor pulley when the magnetic clutch engages, and slips until the compressor pulley is rotating at speed.

This slipping if a lot (as evidenced by the major noise) can cause smoke from the friction between the slipping belt and compressor pulley.

The fix is to replace the belt as the problems will only get worse over time if the A/C continues to be used.

Once the problem is solved, suggest keeping an eye on the coolant temp gauge. It is possible when this engine is overheated to the point of quitting to suffer a blown head gasket. A few symptoms being strange overheating problems when none were present before and coolant spewing out the radiator overflow container in mass.

 

Joey, thanks for the respopnse,

When I turn the steering wheel, there is a wine that I am going to presume is coming from the power steering pump.

On the other hand, the faint smoke (not real dense) coming from the rear of the engine (between the engine and fire wall) has me concerned. Could that be the head gasket leaking? The smoke smells of a pungent hydrocarbon. I don't see any leaks though.


Tom

 

The PS belt should not wine when turning the wheel. The pump will be more loaded down when the wheel is turned full CW or CCW which if a bad belt can cause squeal.

Sometimes the flexible section of exhaust pipe located under the chassis in the area leaks.

A leaking head gasket typically does not result in exhaust gas leaking outside the engine.

Watch the level of coolant in the overflow tank. If it starts dropping requiring ongoing top offs and you can't find any visible leaks then would be concerned. Plus the stated strange overheating, coolant spewing out of the overflow tank or lots and lots of bubbles in the tank from the overflow hose.

 

Joey....again, thanks for the help. Update as follows:

Conditions.....94 Camry V6

In park with a/c off, wheel is turned and the whine, not a squeal, is heard. I don't think its the belt slipping. The sound is distinct from a "squweal" of a slipping belt.

Engine running, I open the PS reservoir, there is frothing (lots of bubbles)and the fluid wants to overflow. ????? Fluid level is correct when engine off. Note, I added an over-the-counter-brand PS fluid, clear, to the existing fluid that is red....is that a no no?

Now, found the origin of the smoke. I see power steering fluid dripping under the engine (driver's side, mid enigne). Guess I have a leak.

I appreciate your help.

 

Joey, found the source of the smoke....leaking valve cover, back side.
Also, the high pressure PS hose leading to the cooling fan (this model had a hydraulically opeated cooling fan) is also leaking at the pressure fittings. This has to be the source of the PS leaks and back pressure may be causing the PS fluid to froth in the reservoir.

I hate to part w/ this car.

tom

 

Valve cover leaks are common. If your digging into the engine might also change the rear plugs.

PS fluid leaks at the pressure fittings attaching to another fitting or where the pressure fitting attaches to a hose?

Do the radiator fans work?

Is the power steering working OK, not binding etc?

Foaming can be cause by having too much or too little fluid in the reservoir or blow-by in the control valve which may also cause noise.

Suggest fixing the leaks and sourcing a new pump. Try rockauto.com, look at the photos to make sure the part shown is your part or call.

If you want, send a private message email. Will send a file on PS. You can remove the flow control valve and inspect. Perhaps it is plugged, bad o-ring, ?

 

Valve cover leaks are common. If your digging into the engine might also change the rear plugs.

PS fluid leaks at the pressure fittings attaching to another fitting or where the pressure fitting attaches to a hose?

Q. Do the radiator fans work?
A. One hydraulic fan driven by PS fluid, and it works

Q. Is the power steering working OK, not binding etc?
A. PS works but whines when wheel is turned and worse when a/c is on.

Q. Foaming can be cause by having too much or too little fluid in the reservoir or blow-by in the control valve which may also cause noise.
A. Fluid levels seem ok. Control valve...where is this?

Q. Suggest fixing the leaks and sourcing a new pump. Try rockauto.com, look at the photos to make sure the part shown is your part or call.
A. Understood

Q. If you want, send a private message email. Will send a file on PS. You can remove the flow control valve and inspect. Perhaps it is plugged, bad o-ring, ?
A. Understood

How do I send a private e mail to you in this system? If you would care to contact me by e mial, here is mine: t.munn@comcast.net

All the best,
Tom
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Sent info via email.