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C5 1999 Corvette. Getting onto expressway and moving through the gears and noticing gears 4 and 5 slipping. Awful rubber burning smell pulled off road couldn't see anything. Now even when I idle the smell comes back. I found a plastic screw from center of alternator pulley hanging out and pushed back in. No grippage. Dealer says there is a main pulley at base of engine that has a rubber gasket that is wearing out and is slightly wobbling. Also says I may need new belts...all original with 38000 miles. Also replaced fan blower and motor because it was smoking and burning just recently. What do you think is the cause of the burning rubber smell under hood? Help!
If you fealt it slipping then you probably have clutch issues. Is the car stock? Was it possibly driven hard by you or a PO? I don't really know why it would smell even just idling, or is that idling after driving? Can you still feel slipping at any point, particularly when you get on it?
Main pulley is the harmonic balancer (HB). It would not feel like clutch slipping tho. Look at the motor while running, does the lower central pulley wobble?
New belts is possible, if so use Continental Elite only.
Put a paint mark across the face of your harmonic balancer. After some miles check it out, if the line is broken you've found your problem. When the outer ring starts to slip you will get a burnt rubber smell.
Put a paint mark across the face of your harmonic balancer. After some miles check it out, if the line is broken you've found your problem. When the outer ring starts to slip you will get a burnt rubber smell.
i gotta try the paint mark. I've have a slight burning rubber smell from time to time for years now, comes and goes.
Gentlemen,(Mike G37, grantv)
Thank you very much for the quick responses. Yes the HB is wobbling. Car is stock. I have not driven it since this happened. I will definitely try the paint mark (any concerns about paint impacting function of HB?). I am the original owner and rarely beat my vette. The smell occurs when I back the car out of the garage and let it idle before I drive it. My dealer mechanic, Naperville Chevrolet, informed me that replacement of the HB is going to be very costly. Any recommendations of others who might do this repair with less expense/good quality in the Naperville, Illinois, 60564 area? Should I replace all belts at the same time...original belts 38,000 miles.
I am new to the Corvette Forum (first thread) and very thankful to all of you respondents for helping me. Really impressed.
Gentlemen,(Mike G37, grantv)
Thank you very much for the quick responses. Yes the HB is wobbling. Car is stock. I have not driven it since this happened. I will definitely try the paint mark (any concerns about paint impacting function of HB?). I am the original owner and rarely beat my vette. The smell occurs when I back the car out of the garage and let it idle before I drive it. My dealer mechanic, Naperville Chevrolet, informed me that replacement of the HB is going to be very costly. Any recommendations of others who might do this repair with less expense/good quality in the Naperville, Illinois, 60564 area? Should I replace all belts at the same time...original belts 38,000 miles.
I am new to the Corvette Forum (first thread) and very thankful to all of you respondents for helping me. Really impressed.
mbmazurek
Is the wobble very slight or very noticeable?
Yes, I would replace the belt at the same time.
Post a video of your wobbly unit if possible. It is a fairly big job, I would get ahold of some local car groups to find a decent shop if you can't or won't DIY
post a video of your wobbly unit if possible. It is a fairly big job, i would get ahold of some local car groups to find a decent shop if you can't or won't diy
Rubber Burning Smell Under Hood
