drove through a torrential rain and now an odd sound appears

95 DLX Taco.

My commute home from work was through very heavy rainfall.

As I near home my Taco suddenly starts to make a high pitch whirrring sound when I accelerate. I also smelled some fuel/exhaust in the cab to accompany the high pitch whirring.

My initial thought was that water got into the muffler. Any ideas of what it could be?

 

that wouldn't cause you're symptoms. sounds like water on the belts/pulleys. as for the smell no clue.

take a recording of the sound if you can (have someone drive or have someone record)

 

The problem was my O2 sensor had fallen out and hanging there.

 

That would do it.

 

I'm assuming it's an easy fix. I didn't bother to look into a DIY fix because of time/energy. I paid $145 to get it fixed. Mechanic said they put a new gasket in as well.

 

It's called the dollar vs the hassle factor. Yes, it can be an easy fix or it can be major pain. Many of us have twisted a bolt off, thus requiring a welder to do the job.

You did good.