What's that smell??

[OffTheWall]

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?

 

[323]

Have you done any mods to the car? If so, what exactly?

 

[OffTheWall]

Only thing performance is a drop in K&N. That was about 2 months ago and this started about a week ago.

 

[323]

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?

 

[323]

But if anything, bring it to the dealer and have them check out under warranty

 

[Monk]

Only thing performance is a drop in K&N. That was about 2 months ago and this started about a week ago.

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....

 

[webby]

Is it after driving really hard that you smell it?

 

[kgf3076]

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.

 

[Nix]

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.

 

[KennyGS]

plastic bag stuck to some part of your exhaust?

 

[jasonandre]

Brief episodes of phantom smells can be triggered by temporal lobe seizures, epilepsy, or head trauma.

 

[kgf3076]

Brief episodes of phantom smells can be triggered by temporal lobe seizures, epilepsy, or head trauma.

Always good to look on the bright side.

 

[Phroze]

all joking aside you might have a brain tumor (i know it's not very likely)... signs include a burning phantom smell... or what @jasonandre said, head trauma and things of that sort

 

[OffTheWall]

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,

 

[OffTheWall]

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?

 

[twister8008]

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?

It depends on your area. Filters didn't survive long in az

 

[OffTheWall]

I'm in va. I don't drive on any dirt roads. Lol

 

[JonnyRotten]