Smoke and a bitter smell

deskjockey · 06-29-2008, 11:48 PM

Thanks in advance guys,,

even a deskjockey like myself realizes that anything smoking
is not a good thing.

I got stuck driving on the beach,, couple of guys tried to help me push while i drove,, i was on the gas, but nothing crazy by any means,,,, got out and one of the guys said to shut off, because he saw smoke,,, i could smell a bitter odor,,,, a friend was following me and he said he got stuck and his truck did a similar thing,, he thought it was just rubber,,, i wasn't able to get under the hood, cabel just broke, but i could smell something through the hood over the front right tire,,,,,, no visible smoke though and it was faint,,,,,,

am i burning oil? what should i check first? the exhaust does need work,,, got a new baby and trying to get to these thing as fast as i can
thanks

**BrooklynBay** · 06-30-2008, 12:31 AM

Was it a bitter sweet smell like hot coolant?

alohamonte · 06-30-2008, 10:42 AM

i'ven noticed that when the car runs hot (not necessarily overheats) that the coolant becomes more fragrant. if you're spinning in sand for any amount of time you were probably running hot. you probably shut it down minutes before overheating. get that hood open and check your coolant level.

06-29-2008, 11:48 PM	#1
deskjockey Wannabe Elite Explorer Explore '95 XLT Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 26 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Smoke and a bitter smell Thanks in advance guys,, even a deskjockey like myself realizes that anything smoking is not a good thing. I got stuck driving on the beach,, couple of guys tried to help me push while i drove,, i was on the gas, but nothing crazy by any means,,,, got out and one of the guys said to shut off, because he saw smoke,,, i could smell a bitter odor,,,, a friend was following me and he said he got stuck and his truck did a similar thing,, he thought it was just rubber,,, i wasn't able to get under the hood, cabel just broke, but i could smell something through the hood over the front right tire,,,,,, no visible smoke though and it was faint,,,,,, am i burning oil? what should i check first? the exhaust does need work,,, got a new baby and trying to get to these thing as fast as i can thanks

06-30-2008, 12:31 AM	#2
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,679 Vehicle Specs	Was it a bitter sweet smell like hot coolant? __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

06-30-2008, 10:42 AM	#3
alohamonte Wannabe Elite Explorer Glendale, AZ 1998 Explorer 4.0 4x4 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 598 Vehicle Specs	i'ven noticed that when the car runs hot (not necessarily overheats) that the coolant becomes more fragrant. if you're spinning in sand for any amount of time you were probably running hot. you probably shut it down minutes before overheating. get that hood open and check your coolant level. __________________ 1998 Xplorer 4.0 OHV 4x4, 3.73 L/S, 31x10.5 Good Year Silent Armor A/T, All Synthetic Fluids, Sony Audio System, Yakima Roof Rack w/ 3rd Crossbar, Bilstein Shocks, Silverstar Ultras, Clifford Alarm & Keyless Entry, Throttle Cable Mod, Moog Front End