Does anyone else occasionally smell a burning odor during cold weather driving?
 

Last winter I began smelling a slight burning smell during driving, somewhat similar to the smell of food being cooked. The smell occurs when the engine is at operating temperature, but I can't seem to replicate it. It might occur more frequently during acceleration but I've smelled it during other circumstances as well. It is more noticeable when the heater is running. It is definitely not the clutch.

During this time, I brought the issue to the attention of the dealership and they couldn't find any coolant leaks or issues with the heater. They even accompanied me on a drive, during which they smelled the odor, but essentially gave me a shoulder shrug response. When last winter passed, the smell went away, until this winter. Has anyone dealt with a similar ordeal? It seems like the heater is the culprit, but the dealership said it was fine. I'm at a loss at what to do, as this smell is becoming a nuisance when driving. Thanks.

Maybe something died in there? Rat, mice, etc.

I've heard stories of squirrels putting their nuts all in the airbox, and rats chewing up wires.

I considered this option as well, but wouldn't the dead animal decay by now? It's been a year since this problem first started occurring, and the smell completely subsided during the warmer months.

Yea I'd imagine a dead animal would smell worse once it got warmer too lol.

But it could be a squirrel's nuts. They stuff some in your rear end every winter. Then it eventually gets blown out but bits of it gets left behind and burns.

What kind of food ........ :D

Hmmmm.........

Can you smell it on the outside of the car .. ??

Is the smell coming from the vents ... ??

Does it smell like sweet sulfur .. ??

Does it smell like the stuff in the coolant bottle ... ??

Back in the day (when a car heater got its heat from air moving past the exhaust manifold), a mean trick was to put some limburger cheese on a cool exhaust manifold of somebodies car you didn't like......so, check the top of your muffler........;)


Come back .........


humfrz

:lol: Back when I first experienced the issue I wasn't able to smell anything from the vents, but the smell would come in short bursts during driving, so by the time I smelled the vents it might've been too late. I don't smell it consistently during driving. The smell is a bit on the sweeter side, kinda like overcooked meat but it's hard to describe... I wouldn't call it sulfuric. There aren't any visible leaks and the dealership checked for coolant leaks as well. I don't recall smelling it outside the car either, but it's been a year since I've pulled over to check, so I'm gonna do that today and report back!

Sometimes a catalytic converter will "fart" and emit a strange, sorta sweet smoky odor.

Ya, report back with your findings.


humfrz

Water evaporating on the contact of heat metal?

Had almost the same issue when I switch the A/C on, smelled a bit like coolant to me took it to the dealers and they checked for leaks couldn't find anything. I still get that smell mostly at high revs so I'm assuming it's some sort of leak somewhere. I've recently washed the engine so I'll see what happens, if it's a leak should be more visible on a clean engine compartment. And yeah it's a bit annoying for sure.

Do you beat the hell out of it like I do?

It's definitely something evaporating in my case. Mostly on high revs so it could be a very small leak somewhere that evaporates before it gets the chance to leave a trace anywhere. I'll find it though and report back to the mothership.

I do...unfortunately the source is usually my teenage son's arse.

Same here but it's usually me

Yeah, after every wash. Especially if I run the heater. It disappears after it dries. Its also noticeable in mornings that are wet/humid.

Thats it ∆

Does the smell occur regardless of outside temps? I believe it occurs at high revs for me as well. I tried replicating it today and it only occurred briefly, and I wasn't able to smell it outside the car. I do tend to drive it hard from time to time. :burnrubber:

That sounds exactly like my issue, I think were both smelling it for the simple reason we have windows closed and have the ventilation on ( a/c or heater) but when the window is open you dont notice. I think its some very small fluid or oil leak from somewhere hard to find hitting the hot metal and evaporating when we kick the hell out of it. I have to admit Ive been driving it hard, but then again its "racecar". This engine is compact and crammed with goodies for its size and weight, so a small leak could be hard to detect and I dont think the dealers are that keen to deal with an issue like that if they can get away with it.

I notice this as well during the winter. Probably the leaking cam plate that I need to replace after this winter.

I've smelled this as well, but only since it's been cold outside, and only after I've revved it to, or close to, redline. In one case, I did a hard acceleration when entering the highway (75mph speed limit), drove 10 miles to my exit at a constant 75-80mph, never even went over 3k again, and smelled it when I parked in my garage. I have an automatic.

Could also be your catalytic converter.

just throwing out a far-fetched idea. could the smell be coming from a nearby restaurant of some sort? does the smell only occur driving near certain locations? only suggesting it since you said it smells like food haha.

I sort of wondered that myself. I have never owned a car that seems to suck outside odours in like this one does. Pass a couple of trucks on the highway and I smell diesel exhaust for several minutes. Don't even want to talk about what happens when I pass the landfill on the way to work every day.

I would buy this.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8426/7...4766663b_b.jpg