this isnt going to be very descriptive right now, i will update more tomorrow.

I drove my camaro home (89 2.8L RS and also only a 10 minute drive) and when i turned it OFF, i heard a sizzling or a hiss coming from the engine compartment when i passed the front of the car. I as more then curious so i opened the hood and saw a small amount of smoke coming off the engine. When i looked through the engine compartment to the ground, i saw what i thought was fluid, but didnt see any drips from under the car.

I really need to look again tomorrow, but am wary of using this car for work since it is my only source of transportation.
The fluid underneath COULD have been a puddle from rain earlier, but i dipped a small white cloth in it and it came back a brownish color (the color of the transmission fluid I REALLY need to change). Also, it was night so i couldnt really see anything.

My question is, in warmer weather (75-80 degrees) even with running the car for a short period, could that sound be produced with the car off? is it normal?

Another (possibly?) related problem, if anyone does think it could be something with the transmission overheating or something, Whenever my car downshifts (its an automatic and as far as i know original stock transmission, 60k on a rebuilt engine) the engine or the transmission bogs under, makes a small grind/gutteral kinda noise, then if i press on the gas hard enough, it kicks in to normal accelaration. As i said, this happens when the car downshifts and only betwen 1-2 gear)

I know thats alot up there but any help would be very appriciated. I havent had this car long, and im hoping to make it somethin really good.

 

Sounds to me like it over heated. If it got hot while you were driving it, it will do that after you shut it off. When you turn the engine off, more pressure builds off, what you heard was the system releaving the excess pressure because it got too hot, check your thermostat and cooling fan.

 

Sounds to me like the AC was on, and the condensate dripped on the exhaust pipe. Pretty normal low-excitement stuff really.

 

del91_305 - tell me more about that....i was thinking it may be a coolant problem because in my research online last night i read something about the engine getting hot and causing what i have happening. I will check for leak again today while it is light out and see where it gets me.

Also, to RB83L69 about the possible AC problem - It couldnt be unless it can happen with a broken compressor cuz i was under the impression my AC didnt work right so i never turn it on. As far as i know it "works" but it has no freon/isnt charged so i dont use it. If you think this can happen without a charged AC and without using any air in the car what so ever (heat/ac/just vent air/anything), let me know so i can take a look at that too.


More later, thanks for the help so far guys.

 

I'd agree with checking for a coolant leak too. The radiator water turns rusty brown if it's been in there a while . Once you've stopped the engine, the water pump no longer works and so the hot coolant doesn't circulate. Just right for a bit of pressure to build up.

Incidentally, coolant will smell different to transmission fluid.

Mark.

 

Well, first i would check for leaks, alot of times a hose will split, that will be an easy fix. Sometimes the only way to check is to let it get to running temp or a little above then shut the car off and watch to see where its leaking from, but thats only if it is a small leak

 

And make sure the oil, antifreeze, and tranny fluids are all topped off before doing this as well....