I wanted to pick everyones brain with an issue I have been having. I have noticed a faint burning smell coming from my engine bay. I first noticed it when I was driving with the wife and the CEL went off, at the time, I thought that it was no biggie because the CEL goes off once in awhile; but after driving about 2 miles with my CEL on, I started to smell an electrical burning/clutch burning smell. Fast forward 3 weeks, and now there is a tiny amount of white (barely noticeable) smoke coming from the left of the engine bay through the cracks in the hood. It only happens every once in awhile, and only when I am at a stop. Any ideas as to what could be causing this issue? I do not want to end up like that blue s2000 in the thread posted by Xeuxx

 

What's the code from the CEL?

 

Don't forget to mention your mods Nick.

Turbo kit can change the troubleshooting process dramatically.

 

good point Xeuxx, but the smoke is coming from the cold side of the engine, which has basically remained stock. UMS checked the code and came to the conclusion that it was a benign exhaust code.

 

Take it to a friends garage.(mine or brandons). Put it on some ramps, or jack stands and let it idle for awhile. Get your flashlight out and see if you can find any melting wires, coolant leaks, or burning oil. Thats where I would start.

 

Turbos ain't nuthin' but trouble

 

So are girls but I still have one of those!

 

^^^ Too true about the girls... But I have had less trouble with my turbo set up than my lady friend

 

So when you say left side of the engine you mean the driver's side?

If you mean the driver's side, the only thing I can think of that would cause smoke is either a coolant hose leaking or the oil pan seeping a bit of oil. I don't think it is going to get hot enough on that side for oil to burn off though.

 

yeah its the drivers side.