View Full Version : 1995 Intrepid ES 3.3: Need help diagnosing a problem
Hello everybody,
I'm having some engine troubles with my 95 Intrepid 3.3 with 200,000 miles on it. I know next to nothing about cars, so I'm looking for some help here.
I'll explain my problem as best I can. I was exiting off the freeway the other day and when I got to the end of the off ramp my engine started smoking and I could smell something burning. When I pulled over to check things out, it was pretty easy to locate the source of the problem. All of the smoke was coming from one point in the engine. The picture posted is of another 3.3L engine, and I circled the part of the engine where my car is having problems. I can't find a diagram of a 3.3L engine anywhere online, so I don't even know what it is. As far as I can tell, the problem doesn't have anything to do with the belt, it's the part that the belt runs around. The burning smell was coming from something inside that part that was getting melted and then spit out as the part spun when the engine ran.
Does anybody have any idea what the problem might be, or how big of a deal it is?
Thanks!
EagleESi
10-30-2009, 07:41 PM
Hello everybody,
I'm having some engine troubles with my 95 Intrepid 3.3 with 200,000 miles on it. I know next to nothing about cars, so I'm looking for some help here.
I'll explain my problem as best I can. I was exiting off the freeway the other day and when I got to the end of the off ramp my engine started smoking and I could smell something burning. When I pulled over to check things out, it was pretty easy to locate the source of the problem. All of the smoke was coming from one point in the engine. The picture posted is of another 3.3L engine, and I circled the part of the engine where my car is having problems. I can't find a diagram of a 3.3L engine anywhere online, so I don't even know what it is. As far as I can tell, the problem doesn't have anything to do with the belt, it's the part that the belt runs around. The burning smell was coming from something inside that part that was getting melted and then spit out as the part spun when the engine ran.
Does anybody have any idea what the problem might be, or how big of a deal it is?
Thanks!
Interesting Note, that was my 3.3 V6 I had in my 93 Intrepid (I sold it and the kid got hit in the side totaling the car I believe)
Anyways that is the A/c Clutch. It is replaceable. It is two pieces. I suggest getting it fixed soon and NOT to use your A/c if smoke is coming out.
95trep3.3
10-30-2009, 08:09 PM
was the A/C or front defrost running when it was smoking? if so then the A/C compressor is locked up. if it smokes when the A/C or front defrost was off then you have a locked up Clutch.
Hey thanks guys, my A/C hasn't worked for about two years, so I never run the a/c. I wasn't running the defrost at the time either.
Why would there be a problem with this if I never use the A/C? One interesting thing I was noticing before this happened is that the secondary fans in the engine would turn on within a minute of engine idling. Could the problem with the A/C clutch have anything to do with this?
Also, does anyone have an idea of what might have been getting melted inside the part to cause the smoke? There was a bunch of black stuff getting melted and shot out of the part as far as I could tell. The stuff seemed to cool and harden really fast after it got spit out of the engine.
Eagle ESI, I hope you don't mind me using your engine picture. It really helped me out.
jradams350
10-30-2009, 08:29 PM
Some of what you was seeing was part of the bearings and an O-ring coming out of it.
A/C compressors do go bad over time and fail in the most strangest ways.
EagleESi
10-30-2009, 08:50 PM
Hey thanks guys, my A/C hasn't worked for about two years, so I never run the a/c. I wasn't running the defrost at the time either.
Why would there be a problem with this if I never use the A/C? One interesting thing I was noticing before this happened is that the secondary fans in the engine would turn on within a minute of engine idling. Could the problem with the A/C clutch have anything to do with this?
Also, does anyone have an idea of what might have been getting melted inside the part to cause the smoke? There was a bunch of black stuff getting melted and shot out of the part as far as I could tell. The stuff seemed to cool and harden really fast after it got spit out of the engine.
Eagle ESI, I hope you don't mind me using your engine picture. It really helped me out.
I have absolutely no problem with it. I am actually curious how you found it.
I do see a clutch failure. (just cut the belt if you do not use it)
Far as the fans kicking on, a Pressure Transducer switch can and will cause that. (located on the lower a/c hose it either has two or three wires going to it.
Eagle, I actually found the picture of your 3.3 on another LH forum thread when I was looking for answers to my problem before I started this post. Thanks again.
So if my A/C clutch/compressor failed this badly, and I don't use the A/C because it hasn't worked for years, is there really no cause for concern with the rest of the engine? Is there some sort of quick fix for this where I can just bypass the clutch to avoid the problem. Eagle, is this what you mean cutting the belt? What belt are you referring to?
EagleESi
10-30-2009, 10:52 PM
The Belt going around the a/c.
Only belt that goes off to the passenger side when you look at eh car head on.
AKA the smaller belt.
300maximilien
10-30-2009, 11:06 PM
How about this....cut the belt you have circled in your OP
jradams350
10-30-2009, 11:25 PM
Bingo vut that belt as Devan and Craig mentioned and your problem solved. Cutting the belt will not affect anything else, just cut it and remove it from the car and you are good to go again...
gn300
10-31-2009, 08:24 AM
Mine smoked the belt while passing a car!
screamed and smoked for a few seconds and puked the belt .
Looked in the mirror when the noise stopped and saw the belt bounce down the road.
Can't imagine what the guy i was passing thought!
The problem is fixed. I cut the belt that runs the A/C clutch and pulled it out this morning. I'm good to go.
Thanks for your help everybody! I appreciate it.
Cyric
11-02-2009, 08:39 AM
That's good to hear. The people on this site are always willing to help, no matter how easy the fix.
Welcome to the site!
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