Last week my gf had her 2002 Dodge Stratus taken into the mechanic b/c when the a/c was on she smelled something burnt. After a week in the shop they decided she needed part x and her belts replaced though they didn't have anything to do with the original issue. I wasn't there, nor was I aware she approved, nor am I the money tree so my rawr rawr rawr was too late and not important. The mechanic said that "after a visual inspection" they deduced that maybe the oil was leaking and they added a pint to make sure it was full. They also told us to keep an eye on the transmission fluid

So she drove about ~180 miles on Friday and ~180 miles on Sunday. On Sunday, her and her passengers realize that when at a standstill, visible white smoke comes from beneath the hood, as well as a burnt smell fills the car when the a/c is on. Checked it out today. The transmission fluid is fine when the engine runs cold but once it's warmed up, the smoke appears and the transmission fluid is below the min for hot. The smoke is coming from the rearside of the engine and since the odor is burnt rather than sweet I'm guessing a transmission fluid/hose leak rather than a coolant leak? Engine temp is fine, no overheating (yet). I don't claim to be a car-whiz but do ya'll think a stop-leak fluid would fix the issue? I mean the mechanics said the fluid level was fine a week ago so I'm not sure how considerably large the crack is. The gf kind of has to be somewhere tomorrow night. Would it be alright to drive if I add some transmission fluid?


For the tl;dr's:

Car is smoking from beneath hood, smells burnt
Transmission fluid level went from max to below min in 1 week and ~400 miles
Smoke is coming from rear of engine
Tested transmission fluid w/ car at operating temp, neutral + e-brake.

3/1/2010 8:29:47 PM

if its got fluids it will be okay to drive. is the car taking longer to shift than usuall to shift when warm?

how much does she want to throw at it?

take it back. im not sure if the trans fluid goes into the radiator or the condenser in these cars.

3/1/2010 9:54:59 PM

if oil or ATF leaks onto the exhaust fast enough the car will catch on fire. how much do you like this car and woman?

3/1/2010 10:55:58 PM

how high is the cliff?

3/1/2010 11:08:22 PM

does it smell like transmission fluid?

3/2/2010 12:45:33 AM