running hot and clicking

[sgdcmills]

last night I noticed my 1991 camry wagon was making a clicking noise everytime I accelerated, I then noticed a burning smell and noticed that the thermostat was on Hot. It had also been leaking transmission fluid. I let it cool off and made it home, but it did cut off on me twice. Please help I want to take it to a mechanic, and also have some idea of what could be the problem before I get there.

[500KCamry]

Was it leaking transmission fluid or coolant?

[sgdcmills]

transmission fluid

[Mike Gerber]

Don't drive the car any longer. Have it towed to a mechanic. Modern engines which have cylinder heads (and in some cases other parts) made of aluminum, don't take well to being overheated. The melting point of aluminum is much lower than the cast iron that cylinder heads were of 25 years ago. In addition, the aluminum head and the cast iron block expand and contract at different rates when heating and cooling. This is why it it very easy to blow the cylinder head gasket (the gasket between the cylinder head and the block) when it is over heated. Sometimes the gasket just blows. Some times the cylinder head also warps and needs to be machined back to being straight along with replacing the head gasket. Other times the engine can be completely ruined. Minimize the damage and don't drive it any longer. Have it towed to a mechanic where the reason for the overheating and any damage already done can be decteted and repaired.

Good luck.

Mike