Burnt smell...belt slipping?

[TuffGong]

Driving home today...I noticed a burning smell and a very small amount of smoke coming from the right side of the engine housing. Seems to have a small yet consistent oil leak in that area as well. Not exactly sure what the problem is but it doesn't seem that the belts are off. Someone mentioned the "serpentine" belt slipping with the familiar burning smell.

* I should note that I left the car running for a few min's w/o the heat on and it overheated before this problem occured. Didn't seem to cause any damage.

I have a parts car...and would rather buy the parts myself and work on this. A mechanic is out of the question.

Feeling a bit sick atm and won't be looking into this till tomorrow so feel free to throw any advice out as it is MUCH appreciated.

One problem,
I'm a mechanical novice + a p/t delivery driver and need to get the car running asap.

Happy holidays,
Michael

[Petros]

The Tercel does not use a "serpintine belt" so I do not know what they were talking about. Usually if the belt is slipping it make a lot of really bad sounding squealing noise.

If the car overheated and you have a small oil leak sometimes the engine will burn off the oil and gunk and make a bad smell. Most outside parts of the engine (expet the exhuast manifold) do not get hot enough to burn off oil leaks. Until they overheat.

Overheating can be hard on the head gasket, but if that is blown you usually get engine coolant smell, especialy out the exhuast. You can still drive it that way for a while (presuming it is not too bad), just make sure you keep water or coolent in it. Check it after each drive when it cools off. If you are not using water you are probably okay.

Sounds like the leak might just be from the valve cover gasket.

keep an eye on it.

[takza]

Might check for stuff laying on the exhaust?

Check the belt tensions...water pump...belts can get oil on them?

I'd either shut it off or run the heater all the time. Valve cover can be snugged down a little.

With a gas engine I think it pretty much pays to shut it off all the time?

[TuffGong]

Yeah,

I've never heard of a "serpentine" belt either...the things you post with a fever. Don't know where he got it from.

First off I really appreciate your comments P & T and I will check the things you recommended. I've been driving it w/o any problems so far but it pays to be safe than sorry. I'll give an update soon.

Cheers~

[sdoan]

I had a cheap valve cover gasket that would shrink over time and lift off at the front 90* angle between the top horizontal surface of the head and the dome front cam bearing. I couldn't tell by looking at the gasket, but there was a persistent smoking oil leak below and behind it. Might be what you have.