bad engine sound coming from drive accessories? +smell

[fiveo302stang]

My mom has '98 CRV and she recently called me in a panic about her beloved Honda. My dad tells me there is a grinding like noise coming from the engine and it seems to be coming at the drive accessory side of the engine. He also says that there is a mental/metallic smell. So my first instinct is a worn out alternator, PS pump, or water pump bearing. My parents don't drive the car very much anymore b/c they both received company cars not too long ago. But they keep it because it is a good car and they need to haul stuff. The car does have 180,000 miles on it. The only thing that has been replaced is the AC. The clutch locked up and destroyed itself. I go to school in Chicago for automotive. I will be back for Xmas of course so I will be tearing in to this thing then. I don't know very much about imports so any help I will really appreciate. I asked my dad if he has noticed any charging problems and he said no. I really want to get this fixed for my mom. She really likes the car and my dad wants to sell it. Plus, I drove it when it was raining/snowing instead of the Mustang:D .

[2RedV's]

My mom has '98 CRV and she recently called me in a panic about her beloved Honda. My dad tells me there is a grinding like noise coming from the engine and it seems to be coming at the drive accessory side of the engine. He also says that there is a mental/metallic smell. So my first instinct is a worn out alternator, PS pump, or water pump bearing. My parents don't drive the car very much anymore b/c they both received company cars not too long ago. But they keep it because it is a good car and they need to haul stuff. The car does have 180,000 miles on it. The only thing that has been replaced is the AC. The clutch locked up and destroyed itself. I go to school in Chicago for automotive. I will be back for Xmas of course so I will be tearing in to this thing then. I don't know very much about imports so any help I will really appreciate. I asked my dad if he has noticed any charging problems and he said no. I really want to get this fixed for my mom. She really likes the car and my dad wants to sell it. Plus, I drove it when it was raining/snowing instead of the Mustang:D .

Welcome to the forum! :)

We will guess you/they are in the USA? Please fill out your profile and add your location, etc. as you could be anywhere in the world.

If it just started with cold weather, it could be the AC idler pulley - they are known for making noises when they are old and it gets cold out.

As a side note - have they ever adjusted the valves or changed the rear differential fluid?

[fiveo302stang]

valve adjustment...no

rear end fluid...probably not