Technical Very Ill Teapot :(

[Alleycat]

My Franco is poorly
He's just started making a really nasty noise and is jumping and jolting (which has been happening very lightly for about two days now, only on starting then fine once going)
I've had the bonnet open and can't see anything obviously wrong, there's a fair bit of oil everywhere but I don't think that's anything new - I rarely have the bonnet open because the catch has broken and usually needs two people to open it, one to pull the lever with pliers and one to jump on the bonnet - but the car smells really hot and has a melting plasticky smell too, the temperature light keeps coming on.
Has this happened to anyone else... or is it my first thought, spark plugs?
I'll have to add he's in desperate need of an exhaust and it might be catalytic converter?
It's so bad I didn't think i'd be able to make it home - don't know how I managed to!

-Rebecca

 

[(CZ)enda]

What is the level of the coolant?

 

[maddogmorg]

oil level. also check the belts to see their condition and check their tightness is ok. my car develops a certain smell when high speeds are attempted. and likes to be allowed to cool afterwards! you haven't been ragging it have you?

 

[Alleycat]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, however it's a bit worse
Alternator has gone kaput
It's alll about money! Sob.

 

[dazzo666]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, however it's a bit worse
Alternator has gone kaput
It's alll about money! Sob.

Have you sorted him out yet??

 

[Alleycat]

Nope, i'm still running him poorly... which is a very bad thing to do I expect can't afford to do anything at the moment though! Bad times