What’s That Burning Smell Coming From My Car?

One fine day, while cruising down the road, you suddenly catch a whiff of something burning. Maybe it's accompanied by a puff of smoke or a noticeable rise in engine heat. A burning smell from your car can signal various problems, each with its own level of seriousness.

Burning Rubber

If the smell is coming from beneath the hood, one of your car’s hoses or belts might have come loose and is now rubbing against a hot engine component. As soon as you spot this, try to secure the hose or replace the belt without delay.

On the flip side, the burning rubber odor could be originating from your wheels. If one feels unusually warm, it might be because a brake pad or shoe is grinding against the road. For those of you with manual transmissions, it could be your clutch overheating.

If it’s related to your wheels, think about whether you’ve been braking hard or climbing hills frequently. If not, your car’s caliper piston might be damaged, or perhaps you’ve inadvertently left the parking brake on.

Sometimes, that "rubber" smell can also involve the coolant, which might be seeping into your heating or air conditioning system. At this stage, inspect the radiator for even the tiniest cracks.

Burning Oil

Upon detecting this scent, immediately check the dipstick to see if your car is low on oil or if your engine is overheating and giving a false temperature reading. If everything checks out, you have two courses of action: look for oil leaks or inspect your transmission fluid.

Oil leaks could stem from the engine block or a faulty exhaust pipe. If exhaust gases are entering the cabin, you might be inhaling carbon monoxide, which is a serious issue requiring immediate attention. If the problem lies with the transmission, the vacuum modulator might have absorbed some fluid and sent it into the engine.

It’s Sweet

When you catch a sweet smell, often likened to maple syrup, your car’s engine might be overheating. Your temperature gauge or warning light should alert you to the problem, but if they don’t, the sensor might be malfunctioning.

Rotten Eggs

This distinct smell usually points to one main issue: Your catalytic converter (a key component of the exhaust system) is having problems. At this point, the converter itself might be failing, or there could be a bigger issue with your engine.

Burnt Toast

Once you notice this scent, there’s a possibility that your car is experiencing electrical issues – a short circuit or burned insulation around a wire. Continuing to drive might exacerbate the problem, so consider calling for roadside assistance.

Burning Plastic

This smell also signals an electrical issue in the engine, as the coating around wires, fuses, or other connections might be burning. However, it could also mean that actual plastic debris, like a plastic bag, has gotten lodged in the engine. Alternatively, it might suggest an issue with your heater:

• Accumulation of dust, particularly if you haven't used it in a while
• Clogged vents
• Antifreeze leaking into the vents
• A part of the heater might have melted

You Smell Gasoline

Is your car struggling to start? If you're encountering this problem and catching a whiff of gasoline, you might be dealing with a flooded engine. The smell could also result from a leak in the fuel injection system, carburetor, or fuel pump.

In every case, whether you can identify the source or not, have DaSilva’s team diagnose the issue before proceeding with any repairs. To get started, give us a call today.