Thread: Engine howls when wet?

I mentioned a problem some time ago that my car made an odd howling sound once or twice when I pulled over. I've since noticed that it only does this when driving through a puddle or other standing water. I would guess at it being a belt or something, but I'm unsure, and today I thought I noticed the smell of burning oil when the sound went on for quite a bit longer than it has before (to be fair, it looked like I was driving through a river, so it didn't surprise me).

I'm just wondering what this could be, and what to do about it. Has anyone done any woodworking? It kind of sounds like drilling through a block of wood; a lower-pitched, wavering howl that you can't help but cringe in response to. Any suggestions?

Sounds like your belt squealing when getting wet. Do you have the plastic splash shield on the pass side?

In the tire well? Nope. That and the flywheel cover were missing when I bought the car, as well as a handful of bolts holding the rest of the plastic stuff on underneath.

So I guess that's the problem? I can't say I'd mind an easy fix.

Thats most likely the problem. I have the parts from my parts car I'd sell cheap

Thanks. I'm going to snatch some parts off my old SE soon. It's a 3100 though, so I don't know that it would have those two parts. If not I'll probably be contacting you soon, dsmuts.