2000 6 speed 34000 miles Just started smelling a burning odor coming from driver side under the hood at back of engine bay. All gauges are good and can find no leaks of any kind. Put car on lift and searched all over for the reason and found nothing also pull wheels to check for brakes dragging. Seems to be a stronger smell after turning engine off, So wassup fellow Vetters

 

I’m probably the worst to try guessing, but it could possibly be one of many different things.

First – are you picking up any codes from the DIC? If so, that could possibly point you the right direction.

Do you park in a carport/garage at home? If so, ensure the concrete is clean under the car and then after parking check when you pull the car out to see if there are any stains. I’d suggest trying to park as closely to possible in the same location for 2-3 days and see if the location of the stains gives you an idea where your car may be leaking (front/back/left/right of the engine). If you park in an apartment or condo parking lot is there a place you can store a large sheet of cardboard and slip this under the car before parking and use it to check for spots/stains (if any).

If an oil stain appears toward the back of the block it could be your oil pressure sensor/oil pressure sending unit leaking. I remember at least one YouTube video showing replacement of the unit.

Also, check the headers or exhaust manifold to ensure the oil is not burning there. It’s possible it burns off there and doesn't produce any spots under the car; but you should have a black stain on the exhaust manifold if this is the issue.

Any chance the wires that go to the O2 sensors are rubbing against the manifold and causing a burning smell. Also, check that you do not have any plug wires against the manifold. The insulation on these wires can also burn and produce a smell. See if your transmission has engine oil on it. If so, you could have a rear main seal problem.

Any chance your clutch is going out and giving you a burning smell?

Any chance the smell is burning coolant? If so, your coolant level should be dropping and you’ll have orange coloration on the exhaust manifold(s).

I’m sure other members will give even more insight into the issue and fix. Hopefully, it’s something very simple that I didn’t think of. As I said, I’m the worst at guessing.

Best wishes with an easy resolution to this.

 

Would it be worth pulling the battery? I know its on the wrong side, but a lot can get hot under there...

 

Man I checked everywhere. I have a Sonic high performance boat with a 496 HO two summers ago I started smelling the same smell took it two several well respected marinas know one could find the source. They put it on the computer all checked out good still smells, runs great. Kinda weird. Do you think I should keep driving the car like the boat?

 

"Do you think I should keep driving the car like the boat?"

NO

 

Had a similar problem. Turned out to be a plastic bag got caught on the right catalytic converter, just a thought....

 

Good reason to get rid of cats?

 

Thanks 69monzacpe, your the third person who suggested the bag thing. That was the first thing we looked for when we put it on the lift.

 

Moved to C5 Tech.

 

OK, gets crazier drove the car to get serpentine belts replaced. On the way there the turn signal quit working then started working again. After the belts were replaced the tech drove the car around the lot to where I was waiting, everything is fine. I get in and start the car it shuts off, message comes up tells me to remove key and wait ten seconds, did that car started and move about three feet and shut off message comes up service column lock checked that out and it was brought in for recall in 2004. Found out that even after recall a lot of 6 speeds still have the problem come back. Supposedly there is some sort of bypass kit to fix for good. My question is could this problem have any thing to do with the burning odor I have been smelling? DANG WHAT ELSE CAN GO WRONG I love my Vette no matter what

 

Buy the LMC5 bypass to correct the column lock problem, I have owned my 97/m6 C5 for 12 years now, about five years ago, I started smelling that burning plastic smell, usually in warmer weather never have found out what is causing that smell, as well as the occasional coolant smell which I never find any evidence of leaks and never have to add coolant.
I enjoy driving my car and those two things do not take away from the joy every time I take her out for a drive.

 

Being repaired now should pick up Thursday.