So everytime I get out of my car, i can smell something bad. I can only smell it on the driver's side and only happens after I drive, even a short distance. It's almost a burning smell. Not so sure if it's tires rubbing, it might be but I've never smelled this before.
Any suggestions?
-Markus
2002 Yellow Cavalier LS Sport
Could be lots of things, as the symptom is kind of vague. Keep an eye open for signs of tire rubbing if you think that's what it might be. You should be able to spot the problem before long. Burning could also be electrical, so maybe check under the hood periodically. Check for a rogue grocery bag stuck to the exhaust. If it's more of a "rotten egg" smell, it could also be something in emissions like bad gas or a clogged cat converter.
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Geeky wrote:Check for a rogue grocery bag stuck to the exhaust.
Sounds like something on the exhaust to me. I've had a grocery bag melt to my cat. converter once before, and I would smell it each time I stopped.
I would also check your brakes to see if one of your calipers / wheel cylinders is sticking. Sometimes an e-brake that is out of adjustment (or rear brake shoes adjusted too tightly) will stick and cause a burning smell due to the fact that they're stuck on and overheating.
Does the AC / Defrost work okay? I've also had instances where a stuck AC compressor clutch will lock up and the serpentine belt starts to 'burn' as it rides over a pulley that isn't moving.
Good luck with everything.
I would check the sliders in the caliper on that side. It doesn't take much for them to stick and cause the brakes to drag. I've been using a green synthetic "brake lubricant" for the past couple of years which I've found to work better than anything I've tried before. It's so slippery, that it's almost hard to hold onto the bolts once you've put the grease on them.
If it's a caliper that's sticking, make sure you flush out the entire brake system after it's replaced - usually moisture contamination in the system is what causes this to happen. The same goes if it's a sticking wheel cylinder, but I'm sure you would have noticed it being specifically at the back of the car if that was the case.
I knew someone once who had a caliper seize on them when driving on the highway, and he kept driving until it actually caught fire! It was a Ford Ranger, and it burnt the seal in the caliper, the brake line, both ball joint seals, the wheel bearings, and the tie-rod end. Fortunately the tire didn't catch, or the whole truck probably would have gone up with it!
When something starts to smell like it's burning - it probably is, so it's best to get it figured out sooner rather than when it's too late.
John
id say ethier the brakes or maybe oil or something on the exhaust.
Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member
Shadowfire wrote:Geeky wrote:Check for a rogue grocery bag stuck to the exhaust.
Sounds like something on the exhaust to me. I've had a grocery bag melt to my cat. converter once before, and I would smell it each time I stopped.
I ran over a large foam mcdonalds cup once, it smelled of melted plastic for about a month.
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NCR-SCCA
CAS wrote:Shadowfire wrote:Geeky wrote:Check for a rogue grocery bag stuck to the exhaust.
Sounds like something on the exhaust to me. I've had a grocery bag melt to my cat. converter once before, and I would smell it each time I stopped.
I ran over a large foam mcdonalds cup once, it smelled of melted plastic for about a month.
ditto the grocery bag..... one of those melts to the exhaust and it is a persistant lingering stench for a long time... almost defies logic
+1 on the grocery bag. My wife has had one on her cat for the last couple of months. I changed her oil today and tried to scrap the rest of it off... So we'll see if the rest of it gets burned off finally!
gotta be one of the worst smells w/ a bag on the exhaust.
WiGM-Tuners member.
