2004 Honda Civic EX 4Door Sedan
1.7L 4Cyl VTec
Car hit 100,000 miles recently.
Only drive to go get groceries, so I drive my car about once a week to go ~5 miles.

When I do start my car, there is a loud grinding/screeching noise, the battery light is on (I replaced battery 2 months ago), there is smoke coming from the Belts area... This has been happening the 2/3 trips to the supermarket.


After a while (1minute to 5 minutes) and multiple reignitions (sometimes I have to drive the car a little- half a block) the noise goes away and battery light is gone. Distinct rubber burning smell.


What should I tell the mechanic? I don't have the time or expertise to diagnose/fix this problem.

 

change the belts both timing and seprentine belt should fix it. unless the bearings are bad in the pullys.

 

It could be a loose/worn belt. With the battery light coming on you could also have a bad bearing on the alternator causing the belt to just slide over it instead of spinning making the belt screech and smoke. Maybe once some heat gets in the area it starts to free up.

I'm sure your timing belt is fine but it's time to start thinking about replacing it. Honda says 110k/6 years. It'll run you $600-$800 but well worth it....if it snaps you'll at least need some new valves which = $1000's.

Doesn't have to be right now but just something to keep in mind.

 

Should I change the water pump as well w/ the belts?

 

The water pump is driven by the timing belt so I wouldn't do that until you swap out the timing belt.

 

buy the belts and put them in your self really cheap to do, don't get another water pump.