Rep Power: 0

(I'm putting this in general because I have no idea if it's engine, transmission, or what else)

This is going to be tough to describe beyond what's described in the description, but here goes. While doing my deliveries last night(newspaper), I all of a sudden heard a very, VERY, VERY LOUD -to the point it woke up the customer who's house I was delivering to- grinding noise from the engine. The car was still functioning, so I got it to a safe spot across the road(parking lot - better than blocking a customer's driveway) to diagnose, and call for some assistance. Since I needed a new car to carry out the rest of my work, I called my parents to borrow a car and get set to call AAA to tow the car home. However, when my dad got there we decided to start the car up, and...no grinding. After moving it around a bit, he decided to try and drive it home - if any issues arose he would call to get it towed. The issue did not arise during his drive home.

Here's a quick summary of the important points:

The grinding was not constant. It would go for several seconds and then stop, but not for very long.
There was some smoke, but not massive plumes of smoke - I mistook them for exhaust fumes initially.
There was a very noticeable smell - I cannot describe it, but I've never smelled anything like it on a car before.
The steering felt a bit heavy, like the power steering wasn't working at full power, while the issue was occurring.
It is not likely to be overheating, as there was nothing coming out of the overflow. No discernible fluid leaks of any sort, in fact - all fluids appeared to be full(though lighting made it difficult to read transmission fluid, there was definitely a measureable amount in there).
Noise occurred regardless of gear - park, neutral, reverse, or drive.

At no point during any of this did ANY warning light appear on the car's dashboard. This is not something I can just ignore, though - this was not a sound a car should be making.

In case it may be relevant, the transmission fluid was changed on Wednesday(at the dealership in order to retain my powertrain warranty). The car has just under 60K miles.

I intend to bring the car into the dealership as soon as possible, but in the meantime I'd like any advice I can get - being able to point to the likely cause when I bring the car in is not the worst of ideas, after all. Please ask any question about what I heard/saw/smelled that you think might help to narrow down the issue - I know it's possible I missed something, and the right question could jog my memory.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

 
Rep Power: 0

Okay, since I can't get the car into the dealership until tomorrow regardless, I took a close look to see what I can find. And I've found evidence of some sort of fluid leak. Part of a chassis crossmember is absolutely soaked with something oily(can't tell what). I have included photos, though they may be tough to clearly identify due to my crappy cell phone camera. One's an overhead shot of the soaked piece, one's a shot from underneath, and one's a shot of the engine bay in which I've added an arrow pointing to the general area to help illustrate where it all is.

There is no puddle or spot of fluid on the floor underneath this point. There IS a spot of moisture on the ground further back, up in the vicinity of the firewall, but it appears to just be water - it did not feel oily when I touched it.


Hope this helps.

 
Rep Power: 224

Does your A/C still work?

 
Rep Power: 0

Don't know, I never thought to check it. I live in lakeshore Ohio - don't exactly need to use the A/C right now, so I'd need to actually think to test it.

The car is in the hands of the dealership now. It's an unscheduled drop off, so no idea when they'll be able to get to it. The battery was dead when we went to bring it in - completely, totally flat. Even my LED dome lights couldn't get enough power, let alone even try to move the starter. Couldn't discern any electronics that were left on, so no idea if we're just dumb and overlooked what we left on, or if it's related to the issues.

 
Rep Power: 0

Got word from the dealership: A/C relay switch was broken. A/C compressor was on at all times. Fluid was lubricant from inside the A/C pump. Grinding/screeching, despite not sounding like any belt slip I'd ever heard, was fluid getting on the serpentine belt.

Got it in before any serious damage occurred, but A/C may need recharging afterwards. Not gonna have the dealership do it because, as I just noted, I don't need it this time of year. (and also, I have a recharge kit here at home to do it myself)