[jribble]

WE have a 97 awd safari. We have been hearing a wierd noise, and since its a new vehicle to us we wondered if it was normal. It sounds like a gear driven timing chain or a supercharger. It speeds up with the engine and changes with the shifts of the transmission. Also there is a smell, like a burning clutch. The smell seems like its from the front wheels. I just did brakes and I didnt notice a stuck caliper or anything. Im not sure if its just a new smell as the pads get seated or what. Any ideas?

 

[Big_kid]

It's REALLY tough to diagnose a noise from words. Have you checked the transmission fluid yet? Is it bright red, or is it dark and smells burnt? Dark and burnt smelling is bad, it means you have a burned clutch pack and the tranny will need rebuilding soon.

It's something in the engine or tranny because the noise follows engine RPM. Wheel bearing/brake noises are speed dependent and do not change with engine RPM alone.

Another thought- Could it be your alternator? The one in my 77Impala is original, and when the battery is weak I can hear the difference when it's charging or not. I would describe the sound as similar to what you describe.

Welcome to the site, good luck, let us know what you find!

 

[Smiliesafari]

Sounds like a bearing going bad. Remove the serpentine belt and rotate each engine accessory by hand. You should be able to isolate the problem. arty:

 

[jribble]

The smell is coming from the brakes. If I dont use them I dont smell it. But its pretty hard to drive without using them.

The whine noise is associated with the motor/trans. Its very noticeable. And yes I have checked the tranny fluid. Its bright red and does not smell burnt. Its not loud though. With the windows up you dont hear it. And since the ac does not work I wonder if i have a bad compressor.