Q: Belt is siezed? car starts whining as I accelerate and it starts smelling like burnt rubber

asked by on May 02, 2017

When I begin to accelerate you can hear a slight whining as if one of the belts seized. Once I begin to go about 30 miles an hour The Whining increases in Pitch and I begin to smell burning rubber. I replaced the serpentine belt and check the transmission as well as my brakes. Is it possible this is a camshaft issue or a timing belt problem?

My car has 218000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Serpentine/Drive Belt Replacement $111.60 - $349.96 Get a Quote

If noise is suspected from the serpentine belt or belt driven accessories and/or pulleys, just disconnect the belt and momentarily run the engine. If the noise goes away, all components driven by the belt need to be closely examined. If the noise remains, obviously the fault lies elsewhere in the engine. It’s possible for pulleys in the timing belt "circuit" to cause noise but that will be easier to determine once the belt driven accessories are ruled in or out. If you request serpentine belt inspection - noise diagnostic a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, will identify the origin of the noise that you are hearing and thence get the issue resolved for you promptly. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How does the front passenger sensing system work?
The Front Passenger Sensing system will help the airbags detect where the passenger is seating in terms of distance from the airbag. The system helps determine how the airbag should deploy in the event of a crash. To understand the...
What does the oil life feature do?
Your car’s message center lets you access a lot of information about the various systems on your car and their condition or status, including the remaining oil life. Press the Reset button to cycle through your options until you see...
Dtc light flashes and car judders
From what you've described you'll need to have the codes retrieved from the computer and have them diagnosed. This sounds like you are getting misfires (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-is-misfiring-inspection) and should start with checking the ignition. Also, check the spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement) for...
Front windows won't work - 2011 Volkswagen Touareg
Hello. The first step is going to be checking the switch. If your master switch works from the driver door panel for some windows but not others, you will want to check for voltage available at that window's terminal with...
How far can you drive on E?
Hello. To be honest, every vehicle is different. Even the same model and year of vehicles will have a different distance they can go. If the light comes on most vehicles will be able to safely travel about 20 miles...
Car making humming noise when driving, but when I stop at the ref Light I don't hear the sound. Also when I go over 40mp get loud.
Hi and thank you for contacting YourMechanic. The problem seems to be either a wheel rubbing brake rotor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-rotor-disc-replacement) for the lug nuts not being tight enough or a wheel bearing that is worn out. The noise occurs only when...
Emissions test failed with a new gas cap
Hey there. This may be related to other possible malfunctions in your EVAP system, such as a faulty vent valve solenoid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/evaporation-vent-solenoid-replacement). The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system...
I just had my transmission repaired this morning I have no power steering...is this related?
Your transmission does not have anything to do with the power steering system. Either of the two would not have any cause or effect on the other. This suggests your power steering pump may be failing or you have a...
Can a A3,2l audi transmission control module be used on a 2l golf 5 GTI? VW Golf
Hi there - it MAY be possible, if both models use the same transmission (02E for example - 6-speed, dual clutch, etc.) to use the same controller. But - I would expect to have to have the software reflashed for...

Related articles

2012 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2012 Nissan Frontier: Which One Should I Buy?
The smaller truck category includes those vehicles for men (and women!) who just want to scoot around town but who are opposed to driving a small car and just prefer a truck. These relatively fuel-efficient vehicles offer little in the...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Construction Worker
If If you're a construction worker, you don’t have to worry about hauling a whole lot of supplies and materials to the site – that’s the boss’s problem. As long as it’s big enough to hold your tools (and most...
Politics and Personal Driving Preferences: Do Republicans and Democrats Drive Different Cars?
Dodge Rams are the most popular car in Republican states; the Toyota Prius is the most popular in Democratic areas (as are hybrids and foreign cars).