So, at one point, I started smelling a strong fumes-like smell as I was driving down the road… it seemed it was worse when standing (of course, the smoke/fumes prob came from below the car directly to the inside of the car) I was not sure if it was gas or what, perhaps not, but it was a strong smell… I think it got me kind of dizzy. Sometimes it happened, some times it didn’t. I took it to the mechanic and they said something I couldn’t understand (never took it there again) and they said something was falling on the exhaust (not sure if it was the manifold) and they wiped it clean. After that, I didn’t smell fumes again for a couple of weeks, but it then started again. I drove like this for months, but lately, I did notice more and more white smoke was there and the smell was stronger.
I had the car idling for a bit, suddenly I saw a bit of darker smoke, opened the hood and saw small flames!!! Holy ****. I quickly got the hose and poured cold water (I know it’s not the best… I didn’t have an extinguisher nearby) and got rid of the fire. The flames were on the back of the engine, deep inside… and the smell seems to come from there.
So, the car has been sitting there for a while… no way I’m turning it on. LOL
Here is some background:
- THe catalytic converter has needed replacement for 1-2 years.
- The car overheated once due to a faulty radiator fan (it overheated whenever I turned on the AC) I replaced the fan, problem was resolved.
Could it be that the overheating incident burned some gaskets or what not and this may have lead to something to leak, something flammable, fall on the hot part of the manifold or area where the exhaust begins and caused the flames/fire? If so, what flammable liquid could it be?
Any advise or recommendation(s) on this will be greatly appreciated.
I’m not sure if I should just dispose of the car and get a nused one (the car drives well)… it would depend on the repairing costs.x
Thank you.