Something burning or normal?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 78
From: Rancho Santa Margarita California
Something burning or normal?
Newer Vette owner here (2011 GS, 9 months, 10K miles). I've noticed something since the car was new that I thought I'd run by the collective for advise:
Whenever I make excursions in to the "above 3500 RPM" range (spirited acceleration perhaps, but not WOT by any means) I've noticed a distinct burning smell. Not a burning like something is on fire (i.e. not smoky, or exhaust like), and not like something is being damaged (i.e. not like electrical circuit blowing or burning rubber or plastic). My initial impression was that perhaps the exhaust pipes were getting very hot and what I was smelling was something like detailing spray over spray on them or something (which I can't imagine how that would get there, but that was an initial impression). It's not even that unpleasant, but it becomes apparent anytime I push the car a bit (I typically drive with the windows up and AC on).
Anyway, I thought it was a new car thing that would fade over time, but here 10K miles later, it's pretty much the same. Since I'm taking it in for an oil change next week, I'd thought I'd ask the Forum if there's anything to have checked when it's in the shop.
Normal?
Whenever I make excursions in to the "above 3500 RPM" range (spirited acceleration perhaps, but not WOT by any means) I've noticed a distinct burning smell. Not a burning like something is on fire (i.e. not smoky, or exhaust like), and not like something is being damaged (i.e. not like electrical circuit blowing or burning rubber or plastic). My initial impression was that perhaps the exhaust pipes were getting very hot and what I was smelling was something like detailing spray over spray on them or something (which I can't imagine how that would get there, but that was an initial impression). It's not even that unpleasant, but it becomes apparent anytime I push the car a bit (I typically drive with the windows up and AC on).
Anyway, I thought it was a new car thing that would fade over time, but here 10K miles later, it's pretty much the same. Since I'm taking it in for an oil change next week, I'd thought I'd ask the Forum if there's anything to have checked when it's in the shop.
Normal?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,612
Likes: 493
From: brooklyn ny
Could be you ran over a plastic bag but that would have faded by now. If your car had 500 miles on it the smell would be normal if you pushed it a bit but at 10k those break in smells should be gone. I'm stumped! Sorry.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 78
From: Rancho Santa Margarita California
Yeah, a "break in smell" would be an accurate description. Not like something is on fire, just like something is getting real hot for the first time. I did check for bags, etc. but have found nothing yet.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 17
From: Western Kentucky
Does your car have the dual mode exhaust?
If it does maybe it just hasn't cooked off all the newness of the center two tips.
I had someone ask why by center two tips were brown when the outside were still polished. I explained that I had the dual mode turned off so everything exits the center two, bypassing the outside two.
Just making a guess.
Could it be a little anti-freeze overflow?
If it does maybe it just hasn't cooked off all the newness of the center two tips.
I had someone ask why by center two tips were brown when the outside were still polished. I explained that I had the dual mode turned off so everything exits the center two, bypassing the outside two.
Just making a guess.
Could it be a little anti-freeze overflow?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 78
From: Rancho Santa Margarita California
Hmmm....I do have NPP and a home made exhaust controller switch. I do tend to leave the ports open 95% of the time. And that RPM that triggers the NPP system (3500) is kinda/sorta related to when I notice the smell cropping up.....but as I understand it, leaving the ports open all the time isn't supposed to create any issue (somebody jump in and correct me if I'm wrong in that assumption). Maybe it's the inverse...a little extra pressure is blowing some of the hot exhaust into the relatively unused muffler'd exhaust path.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 45
From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
When my '08 was relatively new, I had a burning oil smell that drove me nutz for a couple weeks. I finally found where a drop or two of oil had fallen on the front right cylinder exhaust manifold that I didn't see the first couple times I checked -- that tiny amount took forever to burn off. I assumed that I put the drops there checking oil level or opening the fill cap - dunno. A couple hits on the residue with carb cleaner and the burning oil smell was gone.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 177
Likes: 3
From: Port Saint Lucie, Fl.
Newer Vette owner here (2011 GS, 9 months, 10K miles). I've noticed something since the car was new that I thought I'd run by the collective for advise:
Whenever I make excursions in to the "above 3500 RPM" range (spirited acceleration perhaps, but not WOT by any means) I've noticed a distinct burning smell. Not a burning like something is on fire (i.e. not smoky, or exhaust like), and not like something is being damaged (i.e. not like electrical circuit blowing or burning rubber or plastic). My initial impression was that perhaps the exhaust pipes were getting very hot and what I was smelling was something like detailing spray over spray on them or something (which I can't imagine how that would get there, but that was an initial impression). It's not even that unpleasant, but it becomes apparent anytime I push the car a bit (I typically drive with the windows up and AC on).
Anyway, I thought it was a new car thing that would fade over time, but here 10K miles later, it's pretty much the same. Since I'm taking it in for an oil change next week, I'd thought I'd ask the Forum if there's anything to have checked when it's in the shop.
Normal?
Whenever I make excursions in to the "above 3500 RPM" range (spirited acceleration perhaps, but not WOT by any means) I've noticed a distinct burning smell. Not a burning like something is on fire (i.e. not smoky, or exhaust like), and not like something is being damaged (i.e. not like electrical circuit blowing or burning rubber or plastic). My initial impression was that perhaps the exhaust pipes were getting very hot and what I was smelling was something like detailing spray over spray on them or something (which I can't imagine how that would get there, but that was an initial impression). It's not even that unpleasant, but it becomes apparent anytime I push the car a bit (I typically drive with the windows up and AC on).
Anyway, I thought it was a new car thing that would fade over time, but here 10K miles later, it's pretty much the same. Since I'm taking it in for an oil change next week, I'd thought I'd ask the Forum if there's anything to have checked when it's in the shop.
Normal?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 78
From: Rancho Santa Margarita California
I had an '06 coupe that had that exact smell whenever I opened it up a little. No one could find what it was. I now have an '010 coupe with the NPP and the same exact problem. I feel your pain brother, I would love to know what it is, because I would love to do without it.
It would be nice to explain to passengers something like "yeah, the exhaust pipes get red hot!" or something that sounds like a performance car type of thing. Instead, right now I get to hear my 8 year old daughter say "EEWWE, smells like Betty just farted!"
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
That's cuz you're running the 'stink' out of it.
Mine used to do that until I took the cats off, their furr would melt
But really, mine smelled like clutch material after a run yet I have no problems with the clutch and the smell has been gone for awhile now.
Mine used to do that until I took the cats off, their furr would melt
But really, mine smelled like clutch material after a run yet I have no problems with the clutch and the smell has been gone for awhile now.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
My '05 does the exact same thing with 42K miles. It's not really a bad "somethings wrong" smell but almost like what you'd expect when a huge burst of power gets released and this is the aftershock smell lingering. I punched it HARD one time with my wife in the car and she commented on it saying you can smell the power.
Can't wait till it goes away.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
Yeah, I guess I don't mind it....I just want to know what it is.
It would be nice to explain to passengers something like "yeah, the exhaust pipes get red hot!" or something that sounds like a performance car type of thing. Instead, right now I get to hear my 8 year old daughter say "EEWWE, smells like Betty just farted!"
It would be nice to explain to passengers something like "yeah, the exhaust pipes get red hot!" or something that sounds like a performance car type of thing. Instead, right now I get to hear my 8 year old daughter say "EEWWE, smells like Betty just farted!"
My other 2 cars also do the same.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 78
From: Rancho Santa Margarita California
Well, I'm slightly relieved that some of the rest of you have a similar situation. I was going to take the car for an oil change next week, but I called the dealer today and he fit me in. I asked the service guy and he said it's probably nothing but he'll have his guy take a look. Nothing noted. He did however note that my rear tires are approaching the wear bars and recommended a replacement.
Hmmm....need new rears after only 10,000 miles....and a burning smell....maybe I need to go a little easier on Betty!
Hmmm....need new rears after only 10,000 miles....and a burning smell....maybe I need to go a little easier on Betty!