Gino4040

I have seen a few reports on this but never any resolution. Has anyone who has experienced a burning smell from the engine compartment ever got it resolved? My 09X now with 32K miles still comes back with the same smell once or twice a month especially when it's cold outside. I never see any steam or smoke, just a burning smell that I can only describe as burning engine oil or burning clutch even though it's an AT. I can't find anything leaking, maintenance is up to date, no problems reported from the service dept and the car drives fine. This is driving me crazy as I am trying to replicate it for the dealership and of course I can't!

IgS

iTrader: (16)

i am curious about this as well. I noticed it in days when there is a lot of snow outside and i drive for more than 30 minutes or so and then i can detect it. I have yet to get that smell in the summer.

Lt8Che

iTrader: (6)

Is this just an 09 thing?

Gino4040

Most of the reports I have seen were 09....

Gino4040

I too thought I had it isolated to days with snow on the ground until a couple of weeks ago when for the first time it did it on a day without any snow at all but very cold. Right now I am suspecting something to do with the heater. I also have never smelled it in the summer.

Lt8Che

iTrader: (6)

I haven't experienced this on my 2010. I'll keep a lookout for it and update if so.

plancktimeG37

Beans for dinner/breakfast???? j/k- I also have an 09 sedan with smell, but it smells like gasoline and mainly on start up and cold morning.... car drives fine etc

1TUFG37XS

My 09xS auto does after I drive it hard and pull into garage I can smell rubber. Normal driving I never smell it. Always thought it was some sort of belt slipping but unlikely based on other posts I've read with this issue.

Rad_Slinger

iTrader: (12)

i have an 09 coup S and i have noticed this when i drive it really hard. smells like burning oil after i'm done driving like a retard.

with that said, i just put mine up on a lift yesterday to install the sways. i looked very hard for leaks onto the exhaust of any kind, or anywhere for that matter, and couldn't find anything.

no clue what it's from or what's causing it. honestly, like you said, there's no leaks, drives fine, shifts fine, and no issues.

HappyG

I have a 2010 G37x. I reported burning smell last winter. We had a lot of snow last year and it happened a few times. My dealer drove and inspected my car and found nothing wrong...no leaks...they couldn't duplicate the problem.

So far this winter, no snow, no burning smell yet.

TinsleyC

My 09 does this too.

Saltin

I was under the impression that this was caused by the AWD mechanics, specifically the clutch. I am not an expert mechanic by any means so take this with a grain of salt. This is why you smell it in snow and wet weather - the AWD is busier/engaging and dis-engaging to a greater extent.

I have a 2010 G37x with less than 18k km on it, and it does the same thing - especially when I am driving it hard. I don't think it's abnormal.

Silver37

My '09 had radiator hoses that were defective...dealer said they had replaced hundreds of them. The smell is always a burning but sweet smell. It's doing it again..so back it goes. I can see a small amount of dried blueish/white antifreeze where it connects.

Gino4040

I think radiator leak is a very good suspect and would make sense for me since I rarely get to drive my car hard (toddler seat syndrom). I am sniffing it more closely and indeed it's only stinky when wet and only sometimes.

ej19

I have an 09 g sedan AT also. Noticed first time a month ago after a hard drive. the coolant tank was low, so i refilled it. noticed the smell again, after a hard drive. also did see steam after a car wash.