For the past week now, I have smelled this very strange smell everytime I step out of my car. It smells like when you blow out a candle (not the smell of a match, that smell is Sulfur Dioxide and its not what I'm smelling). I first checked all of the wires under the hood to make sure nothing was touching something hot and melting, but i found nothing. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

Kyle Ritchie

 

stop resting your foot on the clutch pedal?

 

Could be your aftershave?

 

Check under the car near the small tube that's part of the exhaust system. Twice now, a plastic bag has found it's way under my car and gets caught on it and smells for days.

 

Did you install a new exhaust in the past two weeks?

 

its not a burning clutch smell. its very strange, i dont know what could cause it. I am still using the factory exhaust. i recently changed all my fluids (diff,trans,engine oil) but i triple checked that everything was filled to the proper level and also made sure that all of the plugs were tight. but the smell just started, it wasnt right after i changed the fluids (which was about ~3 weeks ago). anymore ideas? the car runs great. it almost smells like burning plastic, but i checked the brakes/exhaust to see if anything (like a plastic bag etc) was stuck there, but i found nothing. thanks for the help, keep the suggestions coming.

oh yeah, aftershave good one.

Kyle Ritchie

 

Where is the smell coming from? Front or rear?

 

It's coming from the rear of the car. the smell is the stongest when i smell the brakes right after driving (rear brakes). nothing is leaking ANYWHERE (brake fluid, diff fluid, trans, no oil coming from the struts, nothing). any more ideas anyone? the car still runs perfect though, the smell concerns me though. my girlfriend suggested that the tires might be rubbing, but i cant find a marks on the tires, and there is an adequate amount of space between the tires and everything in the vacinity. im stumpted.....


Kyle R

 

Tire dust or asphalt particles from spirited driving will collect on the mufflers and smell.