Do You Smell That?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: Loganville Georgia
Do You Smell That?
Relatively new Corvette owner here (3 weeks), but a lifelong fan. When I'm done driving my 02, sometimes I'll smell a hint of . . . . something. It's not the tires because I've noticed it after fairly relaxed cruising. Is it the clutch? I've been driving a stick for years in a variety of other cars, and I have never noticed anything like that.
FYI: The car is a 2002. Before I bought it, I had it looked at by a GM Technician who certified it across the board, said the clutch was in "terrific" shape. (The previous owner was not into driving fast at all, just wanted a car he would look cool in.)
Is a little whiff here and there normal?
FYI: The car is a 2002. Before I bought it, I had it looked at by a GM Technician who certified it across the board, said the clutch was in "terrific" shape. (The previous owner was not into driving fast at all, just wanted a car he would look cool in.)
Is a little whiff here and there normal?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Probably the cats. My 2002 and 1999 the same thing. It's not a sulfur smell, but rather an old barn smell or something. I took my 2002 to the dealer and had them checked, 1 cat failed and the other was on it's way out. It will not throw a code, an actual test has to be done on the cats. They said the cats were fine when they drove it with their scan tool attached. I insisted that they test the cats the hard way, when they did, they said the cats were bad and replaced still under warranty.
My 1999 is the same way. Just going to buy aftermarket cats.
My 1999 is the same way. Just going to buy aftermarket cats.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 19
From: Driftwood PA
When I pull my 01 in the garage after I am done driving I smell the rear axle oil burning on my exhaust, really bad smell. I am going to fix it some day but it's not that bad of a leak and I keep checking the level it's just a little annoying.
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 271
Likes: 1
Yes
It's a burned rubber smell, right? (NOT burning oil)
If so, I am getting the same thing in my 99 with 105K.
I also have a small clicking noise sometimes with slight on-off-on
throttle. I am wondering if it could be the torque tube.
I first thought it was the serpentine belt but replace that and still have
the same smell.
Gary
If so, I am getting the same thing in my 99 with 105K.
I also have a small clicking noise sometimes with slight on-off-on
throttle. I am wondering if it could be the torque tube.
I first thought it was the serpentine belt but replace that and still have
the same smell.
Gary
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
There are some wires that Bill Curlee found (Tech Section) that find their way onto an exhaust manifold. As for smells, there is the burn't rubber, burning electrical, the clutch is a nasty odor and the cats will smell like sulphur.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 3
From: Fort St John B.C
Just a few weeks ago I started getting a smell when I parked, its def a burning rubber smell and im pretty sure its the tires, which are relatively new still.
Just kinda weird this is the first time in 3 years im getting this.
Just kinda weird this is the first time in 3 years im getting this.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
I get the burning rubber smell all the time. I am beginning to think that some tire dust or debris eventually makes its way onto the tops of the mufflers since they are located so close. Maybe it's the accumulation of rubber dust. Could that be causing the smell? I know that in my case, I checked everything and found nothing that would cause a burnt rubber smell.
I did suspect the rubber couplings in the torque tube but if they were beginning to go bad and rub inside the tube, wouldn't there be tons of vibration, driveline looseness and/or noise?
I did suspect the rubber couplings in the torque tube but if they were beginning to go bad and rub inside the tube, wouldn't there be tons of vibration, driveline looseness and/or noise?
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 271
Likes: 1
Not tire dust
I get the burning rubber smell all the time. I am beginning to think that some tire dust or debris eventually makes its way onto the tops of the mufflers since they are located so close. Maybe it's the accumulation of rubber dust. Could that be causing the smell? I know that in my case, I checked everything and found nothing that would cause a burnt rubber smell.
I did suspect the rubber couplings in the torque tube but if they were beginning to go bad and rub inside the tube, wouldn't there be tons of vibration, driveline looseness and/or noise?
I did suspect the rubber couplings in the torque tube but if they were beginning to go bad and rub inside the tube, wouldn't there be tons of vibration, driveline looseness and/or noise?
I am thinking its the rubber couplings just slightly rubbing somehow.
I do have small clicking sound in my driveline but only sometimes..
suspicious. I live up a hill so there's been some load by the time I
get in the garage but that's about it.
I've never seen what's inside the torque tube though.. anyone??
Gary
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 135
Likes: 3
I think "the smell" is coming from the cats and is normal as long as there is no visible smoke. My Z had 12000km when I bought it and I could smell "the smell" but more noticeable after beating on it. Im not worried about it my brother had a 95 Camaro and had similar smells after beating on it.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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Actually - it's the smell of fear from the other "lesser" vehicles on the road.......
