need help..burning rubber smell

[ctniners]

Hello,
I bought a 97 expedition....it seemed ok when i took it for a test drive but I have a feeling that since I am not a mechanic I got myself in some trouble buying it and of course now is too late.

So I brought it home tonite, on the drive I did notice that the heat never really got very warm..and the other issue is when I parked in my driveway and shut off the car I smelled like burned rubber smell...I dont know if both are related but I am worried this could be a big issue.

There are no lights on the panel and the car did not overheat. The drive was a good 45 min long drive.

Any thoughts....thanks for the help.

 

[bedrck46]

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[bedrck46]

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[ctniners]

Just went outside and notice oil drips on the ground....it is def oil...and it looks to be coming from the engine and not just from the bottom..i know sometimes it could be the pan underneath but not this....think i was sold a lemon!

 

[bedrck46]

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[ctniners]

$1,200

 

[bedrck46]

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[ctniners]

Any links on where is the thermostat housing?....is coolant going to leak when i remove the housing.

 

[bedrck46]

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[ctniners]

Thanks...im going to give that a shot...i will post some pictures....i am very worried about the oil however...cause that can be a huge expense....one question...is there a way somebody can actually disable the "check engine" light in the panel?....im just wondering cause i dont see it

 

[bedrck46]

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[bedrck46]

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[ctniners]

Just double checked..and even with the key on position i dont see it..i see battery...abs...seat belt..etc but no checkengine light...what a mess!....i just hope this thread will help somebody on how to be aware of issues no matter how much they want to trust the seller

 

[bedrck46]

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[bedrck46]

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[tojohnso]

Leaking oil isn't necessarily a major expense. If the oil is cloudy, however, that's a big deal.

It's very concerning that the check engine light doesn't work. If the previous owner disabled it on purpose, I believe that's fraud and you may have a case.

 

[BAD RONALD]

Also check the cigar lighter to see if it works. If it does not because its fuse is blown, the OBD may not work either and you won't get codes.

Diagnostics and lighter on my '04 E350 are on the same circuit. Dunno about the Expedition but could be similar.

 

[ctniners]

Thanks for the inputs...i was able to plug in a diagnostic code reader and i got two codes..P0446 and P0420..according to my research both codes will affect my emissions test but do not really impact driving concerns...either the reader didnt pick up the oil leak or is not something readers will pick up...either way i brought the car to a mechanic who has been very honest with us in the past and he will look into the issues and get back to me.....he said that head gaskets are kind of common to trucks this age so i will see...thanks for the help...i will post as soon as I hear from him

 

[bedrck46]

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[ctniners]

No....I was not able to check yet but i will when i pick up the truck from the mechanic...i havent heard from him yet