Weird Burning Smell

Danish · March 09, 2008, 04:03:29 AM

I have a 2001 Corolla, about 55000 miles.

Recently I've noticed that if I am driving uphill, when I get to my destination and get out of the car, I smell a burning smell. This doesn't happen if I'm not going uphill.

Also, when I am coming to a stop, I hear a creaking from the front (CREAK, Creaak, creeeeeak), I am guessing this is a wheel bearing?

Any ideas on what is going on?

The Pirate · March 09, 2008, 01:40:48 PM

Does the burning smell have kind of a pungent rubbery odor? My Honda would do the same thing from time to time, uphill as well, usually when I was doing hard 3rd gear pulls (is that a ricer term?

).

I've no answer to that question, I'm curious as to the culprit myself. I guess I always assumed it was the belts; the car was working hard climbing a hill (and I didn't drive up hills leisurely either), and the belts on my car weren't brand new. Interestingly, I've noticed that smell once with the Mazda; and I was driving up a hill, though not particularly hard.

As for the creak, that could be lots of things. Suspension bushings and/or struts come to mind. Fifty-five thousand miles (and seven years) is right around the time where those things start to wear out.

And holy low miles Batman! My car is a 2001 as well, and has 104K miles on it!

Cookie Monster · March 09, 2008, 01:54:17 PM

Is this the auto or stick Corolla?

Danish · March 09, 2008, 02:21:21 PM

Quote from: thecarnut on March 09, 2008, 01:54:17 PM
Is this the auto or stick Corolla?

Stick Corolla is gone forever, this is the automatic

EDIT: This is proof I am not a liar on the forums, nobody would lie about having owned two Corollas

Cookie Monster · March 09, 2008, 02:25:58 PM

Quote from: Danish on March 09, 2008, 02:21:21 PM
Stick Corolla is gone forever, this is the automatic

EDIT: This is proof I am not a liar on the forums, nobody would lie about having owned two Corollas

What happened to it?

Danish · March 09, 2008, 02:37:20 PM

Quote from: thecarnut on March 09, 2008, 02:25:58 PM
What happened to it?

Totaled in November of 2004

S204STi · March 10, 2008, 06:46:42 PM

I get a bit of a burning smell after long hill climbs as well. My guess is that you are simply running the vehicle at it's most stressed state for a prolonged period, and the result is that any sort of oily residue is burning off. Not sure where it could come from though...

3.0L V6 · March 10, 2008, 08:29:57 PM

Quote from: R-inge on March 10, 2008, 06:46:42 PM
I get a bit of a burning smell after long hill climbs as well. My guess is that you are simply running the vehicle at it's most stressed state for a prolonged period, and the result is that any sort of oily residue is burning off. Not sure where it could come from though...

Leaky valve cover gasket leaking onto an exhaust manifold? Had a similar thing with the 3 liter in my van. Smelled like an oily burning after a full throttle run.

3.0L V6 · March 10, 2008, 08:30:40 PM

Creaking isn't a wheel bearing. A wheel bearing makes a roaring, constant noise.

S204STi · March 10, 2008, 09:52:28 PM

Quote from: 3.0L V6 on March 10, 2008, 08:29:57 PM
Leaky valve cover gasket leaking onto an exhaust manifold? Had a similar thing with the 3 liter in my van. Smelled like an oily burning after a full throttle run.

My car has 18000mi on it, hardly a possibility. Could be that grease they coat the motor in during shipping (what's that stuff called again?) and it just takes a really hot drive to start burning it off.

Danish · March 11, 2008, 12:50:23 AM

Quote from: 3.0L V6 on March 10, 2008, 08:29:57 PM
Leaky valve cover gasket leaking onto an exhaust manifold? Had a similar thing with the 3 liter in my van. Smelled like an oily burning after a full throttle run.

Thanks I will look for that

Danish · March 11, 2008, 12:51:29 AM

Quote from: 3.0L V6 on March 10, 2008, 08:30:40 PM
Creaking isn't a wheel bearing. A wheel bearing makes a roaring, constant noise.

Well, this creaking/squeaking sound is related to how fast I'm going.... as in if I am slowing down, the sound will slow down too.

FWIW, I only hear it when I parking the car, but maybe thats cause road noise overpowers it?

sparkplug · March 11, 2008, 10:13:46 AM

My neighbor had a toyota. Smoke started coming in through the floorboard. He got out and the thing caught on fire.

Danish · March 27, 2008, 10:24:01 PM

Quote from: 3.0L V6 on March 10, 2008, 08:29:57 PM
Leaky valve cover gasket leaking onto an exhaust manifold? Had a similar thing with the 3 liter in my van. Smelled like an oily burning after a full throttle run.

I checked for this, and the exhaust manifold looks to be clean

I took it in to the wrench today, he looked over the car and said everything looked fine. Score!

thewizard16 · March 28, 2008, 12:44:00 AM

Quote from: 3.0L V6 on March 10, 2008, 08:29:57 PM
Leaky valve cover gasket leaking onto an exhaust manifold? Had a similar thing with the 3 liter in my van. Smelled like an oily burning after a full throttle run.

That's exactly what is happening with my old Camry right now, but I haven't had it fixed yet. It's annoying though, the car is running well, things look good on it right now, and there's just enough oil burnt occasionally to make it smell like I've been destroying the environment for my own personal amusement when I show up somewhere.
For only uphill though, I wouldn't think it'd be that. I recommend upgrading the squirrel in the wheel.

thewizard16 · March 28, 2008, 12:46:11 AM

Quote from: Danish on March 11, 2008, 12:51:29 AM
Well, this creaking/squeaking sound is related to how fast I'm going.... as in if I am slowing down, the sound will slow down too.

FWIW, I only hear it when I parking the car, but maybe thats cause road noise overpowers it?

What kind of creaking? Are your shocks what could be making the noise, or some bushing somewhere? (As I've previously ranted, the rubber they used in parts of the XLE suspension creaks like a hotel mattress when the weather is cold and you go over bumps or uneven pavement. It's not a real physical problem according to two different mechanics and a dealer I've complained about it to who have looked at it, but it's quite irritating.)

280Z Turbo · March 28, 2008, 01:00:18 PM

The Focus does this too.

I think the valve cover gasket leaks. (even though I replaced it)

Raza · March 28, 2008, 04:13:35 PM

Quote from: Danish on March 09, 2008, 02:21:21 PM
Stick Corolla is gone forever, this is the automatic

EDIT: This is proof I am not a liar on the forums, nobody would lie about having owned two Corollas

Someone would.

Danish · March 28, 2008, 06:57:47 PM

Quote from: 280Z Turbo on March 28, 2008, 01:00:18 PM
The Focus does this too.

I think the valve cover gasket leaks. (even though I replaced it)

Valve covers appear to be fine

Danish · March 28, 2008, 06:59:23 PM

Quote from: thewizard16 on March 28, 2008, 12:46:11 AM
What kind of creaking? Are your shocks what could be making the noise, or some bushing somewhere? (As I've previously ranted, the rubber they used in parts of the XLE suspension creaks like a hotel mattress when the weather is cold and you go over bumps or uneven pavement. It's not a real physical problem according to two different mechanics and a dealer I've complained about it to who have looked at it, but it's quite irritating.)

Well, the creaking noise is more of a squeaking type noise and it is proportional to speed.... like it speeds up when the car is moving faster and slows down as the car is slowing to a stop.... thats why I figured it wouldn't be suspension related.