boost2na

I'm hoping you guys can help me get to the bottom of this. I recently sold my 08 coupe and purchased an 09 Z06 with 3900 miles. I have a great relationship with my service manager and Corvette specialist, car was clean in GM's computer system (no warranty block or signs of modification/abuse), physical inspection came back completely clean (no leaks, frame damage, etc.). The *only* problem with the car is that once it gets up to operating temperatures (coolant > 190 deg., oil > 150 deg.), a noxious burning smell starts coming through the vents into the cabin. The only explanation we can think of is that engine dressing seeped down onto the block and is burning off. The engine bay was literally doused in it - I had to reach as far down as the exhaust manifolds to clean it off.

What's really concerning me though is that it smells like a burning clutch. Transmission feels absolutely fine though, and there's no change in odor intensity when the car is power shifted or kept in low gear through high RPM. It's just always there once the beast gets warm. I was able to pinpoint an area of the engine bay where it does seem to be stronger - directly in front of the gap in between the fuse box and passenger side fuel rail cover, about 12 inches down.

I'd really appreciate any thoughts. Does the engine dressing theory make any sense? If it's the culprit, my guess is that it should burn off within 1000 miles, which could take a while since it's the dead of winter.

On another note, this forum is incredible. Had to remove my front plate frame and reseat the black front bumper insert. Took me all of 5 minutes using advice in some old threads. Who knew you could "floss" off a license plate frame with fishing line!

vettesmith02

boost2na

Uh oh. Please tell me this isn't some controversial horrendous problem.

Luweegy

Sounds like your cabin filter is soaked in the engine dressing too. Or maybe not even in the slot below the windshield on the passengers side of the cowl.When mine got dirty it smeeled like something was burning.New 1 solved that.

boost2na

Thanks. Good call, didn't even think of that.

C5 Frank

Going way back to mid '06 when I got my '06 Z new, I had a bizarre smell in mine for a few months. It was mainly when I came to a stop at a light. Smelled more like natural gas. There were more then a few other guys at that time had the same smell. It went away with time. Is that the smell???

boost2na

I would say mine smells more like burning clutch fluid (definitely more of a burning smell than pure chemical/gas smell). It does get stronger when I stop at a light, but it's still there even at highway speeds.

smartdoggystl

With 3900 miles on it, one would think, what ever is causing the burning smell would have resolved long ago.

Reading your post, are you saying that the car was detailed as it was a used car by the dealer or a detail shop and they applied engine dressing on it to spruce up the engine bay and that is what you think is causing the smell. with relatively few miles, i would think it would not have needed to be detailed more then just wiping it down with a damp cloth.

boost2na

Correct. I think they went overboard to make the car look perfect, the dressing was literally pooling on top of the fuel rail covers. My mechanic (who others have described as being the best specialist on the East coast) checked the car up and down, said it's completely clean.

smartdoggystl

.

On the factory header/exhaust manifold, I think there is a heat shield and this detail dressing could have pooled up in between the heat sheild and the header itself.

Its probably just fine, it will take some time to wear off.

LBear

It appears that Z06 clutches are going out at a higher rate than they should be. The clutch on the Z06 seems to be problematic. Do a search and you will find many owners with clutch issues.

This one had 8,000 miles on it before it burned out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFHwzmzt8GE

C5 Frank

The main problem with the clutch is driver error IMO.. just like this video above.....

The Z06 clutch is much more finicky then the standard C6 clutch. You just have to learn what you can and cant do.

boost2na

Thanks for all of the feedback and advice. Based on the information in this thread and a PM I received from another member, it looks like this has happened to other people before - the problem appears to be the engine dressing or another chemical that made its way down on to the block or exhaust manifolds. I've been told that the short term fix is to replace the cabin filter with the thicker one and leave recirculation on, and that in the long term the smell will go away.

On another note, I never said how much I LOVE this car. Unbelievable. I'm actually glad that I drove a C6 LS3 MN6 for two years before owning this - learning all of the points of instability in that really prepared me for this. As long as I let those tires warm up, use my mental road temperature vs. traction "database", and use common sense, the thing hauls and sticks like glue! This car is fast, stupid fast.

bass mechanic

i would take the car to a car wash and blast the motor with a pressure washer.i would take the fuel rail covers off and clean under there as well.

jmorgan07z06

My clutch has held up far better than I expected. My car is modified for track use and is a daily driver. I have 23000 miles on the Z and still have the original clutch.

jschindler

With all of todays complex electronics - that is something I would never do. Just drive it and let everything burn off is my advice.