Burning smell through vents after 20 min drive

GKB · 03-22-2017, 07:55 AM

I agree with the check for an oil leak idea. This seems to be the most common source of burning smells in cars. The smell is distinct, and I can only describe it as an acrid smell. It fits with the description you gave of starting after 20 min. of driving as the engine would be good and hot by then. It takes only a small leak usually from some upper portion of the engine and takes only a small amount of oil getting on the exhaust manifold/s to make the acrid burning oil smell. Good luck finding it if that is the cause.

SouthArk370Z · 03-22-2017, 08:28 AM

Since it doesn't appear to be the cats, I'm inclined to agree with the leak crowd at this point. Anything with fluid in it and that is near/above something hot is a candidate. Sounds like a good opportunity to inspect the engine compartment and underside of car.

kenchan · 03-22-2017, 11:56 AM

Mouse?

mishuko · 03-23-2017, 04:10 PM

Vapor from oil? Uhh check your oil levels and go get an oil and filter change.

urbanate · 03-24-2017, 12:30 AM

I've got about 12k miles on my z. Bought it new. It sits a lot and when I would drive it I was always getting a burning smell. At first I thought it was just because it was new and after that I chalked it up to not driving it enough. It goes to the dealer every 3 months for oil changes and no one has said a thing until this last time. When the dude went to check the car in he immediately said it was burning oil from the smell. They investigated it and sure enough passenger side head gasket? Valve cover? (forget what it was) was leaking from underneath. Not enough to drip any oil on the floor but enough to drip on the exhaust. Dealer put in a new one and no more smell.

Makes me wonder as they told me my steering rack was leaking after an inspection a while back. The leak was on the passenger side. It was replaced under warranty but I'm wondering if the rack itself was really the culprit.

PaulNYz · 03-24-2017, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanate

I've got about 12k miles on my z. Bought it new. It sits a lot and when I would drive it I was always getting a burning smell. At first I thought it was just because it was new and after that I chalked it up to not driving it enough. It goes to the dealer every 3 months for oil changes and no one has said a thing until this last time. When the dude went to check the car in he immediately said it was burning oil from the smell. They investigated it and sure enough passenger side head gasket? Valve cover? (forget what it was) was leaking from underneath. Not enough to drip any oil on the floor but enough to drip on the exhaust. Dealer put in a new one and no more smell.

Makes me wonder as they told me my steering rack was leaking after an inspection a while back. The leak was on the passenger side. It was replaced under warranty but I'm wondering if the rack itself was really the culprit.

This sounds very similar to mine.. Can you describe the smell you had? Was it more of a burning rubber smell?

urbanate · 03-25-2017, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulNYz

This sounds very similar to mine.. Can you describe the smell you had? Was it more of a burning rubber smell?

Yeah kind of rubber like. It wasn't super strong and no fluids on the floor. Smell was a lot stronger when the hood was lifted though. I honestly was just thinking it was a characteristic of the car as I've had it since day one, it's not a daily driver so low miles and it's got a gold service plan so it's at the dealer every three months for oil changes / inspections regardless of milage. It was making that smell pretty much from day one.

I'm out of my bumper to bumper warranty but this was covered under the power train warranty.

If you can get under the car take a look up there. Or have them scope it out when if you take it in for any service.

KrnAndy · 03-24-2017, 07:49 PM

you should check your belt first. I had the same problem, turned out to be my AC compressor partially engaging with the clutch (the rotating pulley) and was not spinning as fast as the belt causing it to burn. Any form of slipping belt could have caused it.

03-22-2017, 08:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Since it doesn't appear to be the cats, I'm inclined to agree with the leak crowd at this point. Anything with fluid in it and that is near/above something hot is a candidate. Sounds like a good opportunity to inspect the engine compartment and underside of car. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

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03-22-2017, 07:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
GKB Base Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: TX Posts: 4 Drives: 15 370Z Red M6 Rep Power: 9	I agree with the check for an oil leak idea. This seems to be the most common source of burning smells in cars. The smell is distinct, and I can only describe it as an acrid smell. It fits with the description you gave of starting after 20 min. of driving as the engine would be good and hot by then. It takes only a small leak usually from some upper portion of the engine and takes only a small amount of oil getting on the exhaust manifold/s to make the acrid burning oil smell. Good luck finding it if that is the cause.

03-22-2017, 11:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	Mouse?

03-23-2017, 04:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
mishuko A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: bouncin on tigga Posts: 8,062 Drives: '12 Z Rep Power: 9436	Vapor from oil? Uhh check your oil levels and go get an oil and filter change.

03-24-2017, 12:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
urbanate Base Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Land of Oz Posts: 43 Drives: 2013 PW Rep Power: 13	I've got about 12k miles on my z. Bought it new. It sits a lot and when I would drive it I was always getting a burning smell. At first I thought it was just because it was new and after that I chalked it up to not driving it enough. It goes to the dealer every 3 months for oil changes and no one has said a thing until this last time. When the dude went to check the car in he immediately said it was burning oil from the smell. They investigated it and sure enough passenger side head gasket? Valve cover? (forget what it was) was leaking from underneath. Not enough to drip any oil on the floor but enough to drip on the exhaust. Dealer put in a new one and no more smell. Makes me wonder as they told me my steering rack was leaking after an inspection a while back. The leak was on the passenger side. It was replaced under warranty but I'm wondering if the rack itself was really the culprit.

03-24-2017, 07:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
KrnAndy Base Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Irvine Posts: 112 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z M6 Rep Power: 10	you should check your belt first. I had the same problem, turned out to be my AC compressor partially engaging with the clutch (the rotating pulley) and was not spinning as fast as the belt causing it to burn. Any form of slipping belt could have caused it.