What's that smell??

OffTheWall

OffTheWall

Well-Known Member
119
13
Virginia
Vehicle Model
Civic si
Body Style
Sedan
Lately I've been smelling this odd almost burning smell? I sometimes smell it when I stop at a light, but mostly when I cut the car off and open the door. I've immediately popped the hood and tried to narrow it down, but I see not leaks, no smoke, and cannot find where it would be coming from. Any advice or others noticed a smell?
 
Have you done any mods to the car? If so, what exactly?
 
Only thing performance is a drop in K&N. That was about 2 months ago and this started about a week ago.
 
It wouldn't hurt to look at the filter.
Other than that, maybe brakes or clutch... I can't think of anything else that would be burning if you haven't done any other mods.
Have you don't any electrical/lighting work to the car?
 
But if anything, bring it to the dealer and have them check out under warranty
 
OffTheWall said:
Only thing performance is a drop in K&N. That was about 2 months ago and this started about a week ago.
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Too bad we haven't gotten far enough with computer web-sites to do "scratch-and-sniff"........ I can now tell(age) the smells of electric; rubber; plastic; brakes; clutches; etc.; Oh & toast...... I'm sure a lot of us can, try to identify what it may be, and see if you're right when/if the service-tech looks at it....
 
Is it after driving really hard that you smell it?
 
Are you sure nothing dropped on the exhaust downpipe when you added the K&N? You may have dropped something that's now on the exhaust pipe and that's what you smell.
 
Did you get an oil change recently? I've had them drip oil on stuff when filling and had it burn off for a few days with a wonderful smell.
 
jasonandre said:
Brief episodes of phantom smells can be triggered by temporal lobe seizures, epilepsy, or head trauma.
Click to expand...
Always good to look on the bright side. :D
 
lol, I don't think I have sustained any severe head trauma. (Or maybe I don't remember) I'm pretty good when it comes to car smells as well, worked in a shop for 4+ years and I have always done all my own stuff. Its not brakes, or clutch. I was stretching her legs a little the day it started, but I was not abusive or extremely hard. I thought it might have been from it starting to get so hot out. I'll pot the air box open tomorrow and take a peak, and check around the exhaust. Next stop is the dealer, will be my first time taking my car to them.

Thanks for all the feedback,
 
Late update. Smell still there but minimal and goes away right after I stop. I checked the air filter, no debri but it does seem to be quite dirty and I just installed it maybe 4 months ago. Is it normal to get so dirty so fast?
 
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