There is light smoke from hood are than five minutes later it shuts off?

Thank you, Joe,

The smell definitely wasn’t sweet. I feel like it smelled like something was burning. I can get back to you ASAP with a video and do you have any recommendations for where a scan tool could be loaned out in California?

Thank you,

Jay

Here are some photos I took when it was about to be towed. Apologies if they are not the best quality, but I figured maybe it could help.

Hi Joe,
Here are some images of the car. Please let me know your thoughts.

Hi Joe,

Hope all is well and I appreciate your continuous help in this matter.

I recently discovered there wasn’t any coolant in it. All other fluids are fine. Ughh I fear I may have messed up my engine now. I’ve filled it up with coolant now and turned it on for about 3 minutes. The engine light is still on.
I just purchased a OBD2 today. Will it be able to detect if I have serious engine damage and should I try to clear the code to see if it appears again?
Later today I am also going to check if I have a leak in the reservoir.

Look forward to hearing your expertise!

Jay

Also, I haven’t run the vehicle long enough to see if it turns off because I’ve been worried that I might do more damage.
I’ve ran it for max 3-5 minutes after putting coolant in.

Afternoon Joe,

Here’s the update I’ve gathered:
1. My heater usually doesn’t warm up till I drive it around for about 15+ minutes it’s been like that for awhile, so when I tested it today there was still cold air since I didn’t drive it around because I didn’t want to risk driving it around.

2. The car still vibrates a little...(I can fill it lightly when I touch the dash) not sure if this is just because it is an older car.

3. I ran the car for about 11-13minutes, no smoke occurred. I’ve attached a few images of the dash board that show the meter temp gauge (I think that’s what it is called) at around 3 minutes of being turned on and the second pic is at 13 minutes of the engine running.

4. I checked the coolant this morning and have discovered that it is below the minimum line. I just filled it up to the max line on June 12, 2024 around 7 pm.

5. I have ran the diagnostic and the codes that came back are:
P0117
Engine Coolant Temperature
Sensor 1 Circuit Low
P0340
Camshaft Position Sensor "A"
Circuit Bank 1 or Single Sensor
P0365
Camshaft Position Sensor "B"
Circuit Bank 1
(Image attached)

6.
Slight smoke coming out of the car exhaust pipe in the back (at least I think that’s what it is called), but I think that was do to the weather being cold outside.

7. Are you able to tell me what the fluid container with the red cap (bottom left of the engine) is and if it looks Normal?

8. Next time I run it should I check the transmission fluid, if so, how do I go about that?

I’ve attached a video so you can hear how it looks and sounds too.

Thank you much!

Jay

Hi Joe,

I haven’t been able to check the radiator pressure test yet because I’m waiting on a an adapter specific to my car that I need since the auto stores don’t have it.

In the mean time I drove my car for about 10 mins and the temperature gauge was normal until the end when I put the heater on and within minutes it was close to its highest level. The air never even got hot.

It looked wet closer to the back underneath, but I’m unsure.

Thank you,

Jay

Hi Joe,

Before I drove today I filled up the coolant mid levebeofr driving it for 10 mins. And then instant drop in coolant and car heat level sky rocketed. I parked it ad the area looks the same as the first pics when I got it towed, no visible leakage on the floor. Still just looks wet in that generalized area like the day I towed it.
It didn’t really look wet around the radiator itself though.
When I turned the temp to heat for the heater, but the vents just blew cold air.

Also,
Found what looked like rat poop on my battery... Not sure if a rat has been at play with something in the engine too.

Going to do a the radiator pressure test on Monday when the part come in.

Are the fans you speak of the big fans in front of the radiator?

Thank you,

Jay

Hi Joe, should I still try to do the radiator pressure test first?

Hey Joe,

I wasn’t able to figure out how to do the pressurizer test and had a few other obligations since then. Thus, the car has not been used since then and now won’t start. If I towed it to a mechanic, do you think it would be an expensive repair? I am out of options either I will sell it as is or try to find a local mechanic to fix it.