Burning smell

[kutiefine]

I have a burning smell everytime I drive my car . I have checked all my fluids they are fine and I see no leaks. The smell seems like it is comming from the front wheels. I have took it to a shop and they could not tell where it was comming from. Can someone assist PLEASE ASSIST.

[HornetGT141]

A burning smell from the wheels might mean that the breaks are sticking and not fully coming off the wheels. Does your car feel like it is slowing down tremendously when you let it coast (eg. When you aren't pushing the accelerator or brake)?

[rixGAphx]

IMO, chances are about 95+% that it is a piece of road debris (cardboard, plastic bag, etc.) that is touching the exhaust pipe at some point.

Either under the hood near the exhaust manifold, or under the car including the cataltyic converter, muffler, or tailpipe.

The exhaust is the only thing that actually gets hot enough to ignite anything.

An electrical short can also cause ignition, but it will almost always blow a fuse (or fusible link) very soon.
* * *

Put the car on a lift, or just crawl under partially under it in the driveway.
Inspect the pipe for stuff that's not metal.

Still no luck?
Drive tha car 'til it's warm, then park it in a dark diveway at night (or in a garage).
Turn the engine off, and open the hood.
Using a flashlight, look in the darkness for rising wisps of smoke.

You have a V-6 engine, so there are two exhaust manifolds: one in front with an exhaust pipe that goes around the driverside of the engine, to combine with the rear manifold and dump into the exhaust pipe.

You MUST find this source of burning smell!!!
Chances are it won't result in a devvestating fire or major expense, but it certainly isn't worth the risk.
IMO, that shop was absolutely irresponsible to let you leave without locating the problem.

Good luck,
-Rick

[echoicse]

Originally posted by HornetGT141
A burning smell from the wheels might mean that the breaks are sticking and not fully coming off the wheels. Does your car feel like it is slowing down tremendously when you let it coast (eg. When you aren't pushing the accelerator or brake)?

Ryan is totally correct on this and if your GA does do this put the front-up on jack stands. Make sure you got your emergency break on and when the front tires are off the ground spin the wheel and if it locks up or doesn't spin smoothly you know it a bad rotor, brakes,etc. Look at your brake pads to-for wearness and gouging on the rotor (rotor needs to be smooth).

[echoicse]

Originally posted by kutiefine
I have a burning smell everytime I drive my car . I have checked all my fluids they are fine and I see no leaks. The smell seems like it is comming from the front wheels. I have took it to a shop and they could not tell where it was comming from. Can someone assist PLEASE ASSIST.
Follow Rick's advice and one thing you need to check to see if the fire wall blanket (to deaden engine noise) has become loose and touching the exhaust manifold or anyother engine surface.

[bdlitzne]

How about letting it idle til its nice and warm without driving it? If you smell it then you'll know its not the brakes.

Bern

Originally posted by kutiefine
I have a burning smell everytime I drive my car . I have checked all my fluids they are fine and I see no leaks. The smell seems like it is comming from the front wheels. I have took it to a shop and they could not tell where it was comming from. Can someone assist PLEASE ASSIST.

[rixGAphx]

Originally posted by bdlitzne
How about letting it idle til its nice and warm without driving it? If you smell it then you'll know its not the brakes.
Great idea!!!

ObviousMan to the rescue :D :D

You rock, Bern!