Weird Smell

Franco · 10-29-2001, 03:15 PM

I have roughly 2900 wiles on my WRX, got it in May. Its almost time for an oil change. I took off the intake silincer about 3 weeks ago. Just a couple of days ago, I popped my clutch and my car was turning bout 5000-6000 for 3-4 secs and barley hitting 25mph(the cluth was engaged). After that I backed off the throttle and it was running fine. When I turned off the car I noticed a buring smell comming from the engine compartment. Now, every time i run the car hard, that smell comes back. What is it? Its definately not burn clutch becuse I have experienced that many times learning before.

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KKL · 10-29-2001, 10:59 PM

I just stopped by my dealer's service center today to ask about the smell that's been eminating for the last week on my 2 month old (2000Km) baby. It starts right after the engine hits operating temperature and goes away after about 5 minutes. I don't know if I'm imagining it, but I could swear I see an occasional wisp of smoke coming out of the hood scope when this happens. A service rep took a look under the hood and couldn't find anything wrong. He then told me that they've had the ocassional car where it took 7000-8000 Km's for the various break-in smells to go away. My car's going in for it's first service (a post break-in special deal from my dealer) on Friday and they'll take a closer look then.

I'm figuring that it's because I'm starting to push the car harder now that it's broken in and I'm burning off more of the various coatings and stuff that are used to protect parts during shipping. A search of the forums here seem to confirm this as well.

Update: Took it in this AM for the oil change and they found a coolant leak, so I have to leave it for the day. Hopefully it's something silly like a loose clamp.

kurichan · 10-30-2001, 05:48 PM

My car took 2500 miles to break in.

kurichan · 10-30-2001, 05:50 PM

Allow me to expand: 2500 miles before the burning smell went away.

T-WRX-02 · 10-30-2001, 09:05 PM

Have you checked under the hood for an expired cat. The tend to favor turbo'd cars during fall and early winter ... and they have a tendency to smell during hard driving.

Seriously, if its not a toasted clutch (it has a unique burned resin fragrance) it may be some wiring or hoses may have shifted against hot metal during your launch. Those soft rubber bushings and mounts will allow things to move around under the hood. If its an oily smell ... well thats not good. Hmmm.

initialx · 03-30-2002, 09:09 AM

Hi,

what does "expired" cat mean?

initial

WRXSTi69 · 03-30-2002, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by initialx
Hi,

what does "expired" cat mean?

initial

Not breathing. No signs of life. Dead.
He's talking about a dead feline, not a failed catalytic converter.

relayer66 · 03-30-2002, 07:47 PM

how do you usually launch? if you are slipping the clutch above 3 or 4k, you are probably smelling burnt clutch.

10-29-2001, 03:15 PM	#1
Franco Scooby Newbie Member#: 10352 Join Date: Sep 2001 Vehicle: 2002 WRX White	Weird Smell I have roughly 2900 wiles on my WRX, got it in May. Its almost time for an oil change. I took off the intake silincer about 3 weeks ago. Just a couple of days ago, I popped my clutch and my car was turning bout 5000-6000 for 3-4 secs and barley hitting 25mph(the cluth was engaged). After that I backed off the throttle and it was running fine. When I turned off the car I noticed a buring smell comming from the engine compartment. Now, every time i run the car hard, that smell comes back. What is it? Its definately not burn clutch becuse I have experienced that many times learning before. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

10-29-2001, 10:59 PM	#2
KKL Scooby Newbie Member#: 10220 Join Date: Sep 2001 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: N49° 13' W123° 03' Vehicle: 2010 STI World Rally Blue Pearl	Burn-in smell I just stopped by my dealer's service center today to ask about the smell that's been eminating for the last week on my 2 month old (2000Km) baby. It starts right after the engine hits operating temperature and goes away after about 5 minutes. I don't know if I'm imagining it, but I could swear I see an occasional wisp of smoke coming out of the hood scope when this happens. A service rep took a look under the hood and couldn't find anything wrong. He then told me that they've had the ocassional car where it took 7000-8000 Km's for the various break-in smells to go away. My car's going in for it's first service (a post break-in special deal from my dealer) on Friday and they'll take a closer look then. I'm figuring that it's because I'm starting to push the car harder now that it's broken in and I'm burning off more of the various coatings and stuff that are used to protect parts during shipping. A search of the forums here seem to confirm this as well. Update: Took it in this AM for the oil change and they found a coolant leak, so I have to leave it for the day. Hopefully it's something silly like a loose clamp. Last edited by KKL; 11-02-2001 at 02:01 PM.

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10-30-2001, 05:48 PM	#3
kurichan Scooby Newbie Member#: 8282 Join Date: Jul 2001 Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sedan	My car took 2500 miles to break in.

10-30-2001, 05:50 PM	#4
kurichan Scooby Newbie Member#: 8282 Join Date: Jul 2001 Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sedan	Allow me to expand: 2500 miles before the burning smell went away.

10-30-2001, 09:05 PM	#5
T-WRX-02 Scooby Newbie Member#: 8907 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Penn Hills, PA Vehicle: 2002 Impreza WRX Sdn WR Blue Pearl	Have you checked under the hood for an expired cat. The tend to favor turbo'd cars during fall and early winter ... and they have a tendency to smell during hard driving. Seriously, if its not a toasted clutch (it has a unique burned resin fragrance) it may be some wiring or hoses may have shifted against hot metal during your launch. Those soft rubber bushings and mounts will allow things to move around under the hood. If its an oily smell ... well thats not good. Hmmm.

03-30-2002, 09:09 AM	#6
initialx Scooby Newbie Member#: 10007 Join Date: Sep 2001 Vehicle: 02 Impreza WRX	Hi, what does "expired" cat mean? initial

03-30-2002, 07:47 PM	#8
relayer66 Scooby Newbie Member#: 14614 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Diego, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Platinum Silver	how do you usually launch? if you are slipping the clutch above 3 or 4k, you are probably smelling burnt clutch.