I was sitting in traffic tonight. All of a sudden my engine seemed like it was misfiring. All my fluids are good up to level and I have no kind of warnings as far as guages or lights. I opened hood and it sounds like a bunch of cans rattling in the */c although its had that sounds for months. As iI drive i get this plastic burning like smell. Is this a copuler situation and if so do I have to park the car until I get to rebuild it this weekend? I 'm goin out now to release the belt and check the play in the snout.

That is the first thing I would check also...good call. Also check the alt too. It can make similar sounds and can effect performance if it is going bad. If neither of those seem bad how about the idler pulley right under the */c pulley.

My 3 idler pully'* were replaced in Aug 2002. They replaced the plastic with metal ones except for the double one which didnt come in a metal. The alt sounds good although I expect it to go between now and another 20k miles just bec it looks original. The noise is definitely in the */c. I released the belt and when i turn the pulley by hand there is abt 1/4 to 1/2 play before it actually catches.

Sounds like you found the culptut pretty easy. You know how to change the coupler on it?

Thanx to your direct link for ZZ I have a very good idea now. Looks like the guy on the site has a different */c maybe a M90 but if I'm right I release belts, take off alt, suck out */c oil, pull bolts attaching nose cone, pry nosecone away from assembly, clean assembly, replace coupler, lube pegs w */c oil, light bead between metal and torque to abt 15lbs. Replace fluid (approx 2-3bottles). Is this right? Oh yeah and what'* the deal w me driving before this is repaired?

Sounds about right to me. I took off my entire */C though and cleaned the TB, cleaned the injectors, new injector rings, and a few other minor things. Just in case you need it here is a link to a ton of info on this particular fix. http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...408&highlight=

What happens if I drive? What is the worsecase scenario?

Answered most in the other post.

Worsecae scenario would be a stranded car and a full */C rebuild or replacement. I don't think you will hurt any other engine internals unless something in the SC physically breaks off and drops into it (not likely, but never know).

I guess my question is did this just "break" or has it worked it'* way up to this and you just took note of it now?

The noise and the play in the pulley has been happening for a few months now. I had (in my opinion) no performance probs until today.

SC went out on a friend of mine. It didn't damage the engine (I don't think). It just shredded the inner belt and the car started to overheat.