[BBryans07]

Hello. I have a Saab 9-5 2000 V6. About two days ago I had a much-needed oil change and the mechanic said he was a bit concerned about a slight leak. Not seeming too concerned, I've driven it since, just making sure to check the oil each day.

Today, it was idling in the driveway 5 minutes before I left for work and sounded fine. As I got closer to my work, I started hearing really bad noises. I thought it was just the recent cold/snow. Now I just tried to start it to go to lunch, and a billow of stinky smoke comes out of my engine when the hood is up and makes REALLY loud grinding sounds. The smoke gets worse and the sounds get worse as I leave it running.

I turned it off and decided that I won't get lunch today But I am stuck. I don't think I can drive it. The smoke seems to come out by the serpentine belt, but I just replaced that last May. Any help? Could it be related to the oil?

 

[gregk]

Sounds like one of the pulleys driven by the belt has seized up or is close to seizing up. Need to take tension off belt and check all pulleys to see if they spin freely and don't have side to side play in them..

 

[BBryans07]

Hmmm...

I went to start it again to show my significant other, but now it won't start. It makes a lot of grinding noises when I try to start it up and the smoke seems to specifically come from a covered place next to the Serpentine belt....is that my timing belt? I am not an expert. There was no warning whatsoever. When I went out the second time, there was also A LOT of oil running from my car on the parking lot pavement...I'm not sure if this was caused by my oil leaking. Would a lack of oil cause the noise and smoke? I only drove it 4 miles from my house today. Any help/tests would be much appreciated.

I'm going to run out of options and with student loans, I can't afford to spend $1000 to have it fixed at the garage. Please help!