When heat is on, buzzing type noise and little smoke when I'm idle...

[Blue-By-U]

This only happens when I have my heat on and I'm at idle for about 5 minutes. Here are the symptoms:

1. Car made buzzing/whining sound from front end area...buzzing noise was first time it happened this morning in Dunkin Donuts drive through...lasted for about 3 seconds.
2. When this happened there was a little bit of smoke from under my hood towards the front left of my car.
3. Exhaust was darker but nothing crazy.
4. When this happened I turned off my heat and noise went away, smoking stopped, and slightly darker exhaust went away also. I could put my heater back on at cruising speeds and symptoms would return only if I were to idle for 5 minutes again with heat on.
5. Car ran fine, did not overheat, engine still smooth upon acceleration and idle. (tach didn't move either)
6. This only happens when my heater is on for a while and I'll be idling somewhere for about 5 min.

Any ideas? Do I need a new heater core? Water pump?

Any help is appreciated as I want this fixed asap!

Thanks
~Alex

 

[projectSHO89]

You need to open the hood, let it idle until it buzzes, then see WHERE the buzzing is coming from.

Do you have an auto climate control or manual?

What was the temperature guage doing at the time?

My initial guess is either the fan or the fan relay in the IRCM., but you will need to do some more detective work. It might also be something has gotten into the fan area and the fan blades are hitting it.

The heater core is fine. If you had heat and it doesn't leak, it's okay.

Same for water pump. If you have heat and the car doesn't overheat, the pump is circulating coolant and is probably fine.

Steve

 

[Blue-By-U]

Thanks Steve for the reply. I have the auto climate control in my 92. The temp gauge is on the "L" in NORMAL; thus it stays cool and does not fluctuate when this happens. I'll try to let it happen at home with the hood up later.

Any more guesses? Like I said before smoke comes up a little and my exhaust gets a tad bit smokier also.

 

[Yamaha V6]

Alex, remember that the gauge temp sender fails to the low side, meaning it'll read lower than it actually is when on the way out. Something to consider.

If the clicking's coming from the pass. side, make sure the AC compressor's not engaging. You can disconnect it (elec. connector) while clicking to confirm.

 

[Blue-By-U]

Fred
Would the AC compressor go on when my heat is on? My AC is ice cold so wouldn't that mean it is still good?

Or is it my AC compressor is going on when my heat is on and that is causing smoke?

Thanks!
~Alex

 

[projectSHO89]

Too much speculation, not enough inspection!

Steve

 

[99VenomSVT]

Blue-By-U:
Fred
Would the AC compressor go on when my heat is on? My AC is ice cold so wouldn't that mean it is still good?

Or is it my AC compressor is going on when my heat is on and that is causing smoke?

Thanks!
~Alex

Your A/C compressor should cycle on and off if you have the heater on the defrost settings. This is to take the humidity out of the air.

 

[Blue-By-U]

Your A/C compressor should cycle on and off if you have the heater on the defrost settings. This is to take the humidity out of the air. [/QB]

I'm going to do more inspecting today, but is it possibly a case of my A/C compressor dying and that is why it's smoking?

Wouldn't my A/C be warm if that was the case?

<small>[ June 06, 2003, 02:23 PM: Message edited by: Blue-By-U ]</small>

 

[HopefulSHO]

Your A/C compressor should cycle if it's on MAX A/C, Panel/Floor, Defrost and Defrost/floor.
It shouldn't cycle when it's on Floor & Vent.
The radiator fan should also run at the same time.

<small>[ June 06, 2003, 03:54 PM: Message edited by: HopefulSHO ]</small>

 

[svtC_and_SHO_Owner]

Your sure its smoke and not steam? i had a pinhole leak on the top of my heater core and had a steamy SHO for a long time till i finaly got a new heater core for about $30. pita job.