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  #1  
Old 10-30-2001, 11:00 AM
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Honey? What's that smell?

I seem to have a slight burning (hot) rubber smell eminating from my hood after a long drive. With 60K miles now I'm beginning to wonder about my timing belt.

It's not strong, but definitely rubber. I looked VERY carefully last weekend and couldn't see anything outta place. The belts seem in good condition (no cracks), but I don't know if they've been changed out yet.

Any suggestions on where to look, or is this 'normal'? The timing belt 'should' be good till 100K according to CA state law, even though I'm in MA. I'm sure they use the same one.

The car runs wonderfully and I've had no other problems with it.

Thanks,
Jeff
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  #2  
Old 10-30-2001, 06:52 PM
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If you smell rubber it's probably oneof the belts, your alt/power steering, or your AC belt, but not your timing belt, if your timing belt were to slip, the car wouldn't run, it will work properly till it breaks.
Just my thoughts on it.
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  #3  
Old 10-30-2001, 08:16 PM
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You can look at the timing belt by taking off the cover on one side and then turning the crank with a wrench and watching the belt as it goes by. Try to look at the back of the belt for shiny marks. Maybe the water pump is sticking or the idler pulley. However I agree with Huck it should be the other belts. Your car isn't stuck in Full AWD drive is it? Then its your tires you smell.
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Old 10-30-2001, 11:38 PM
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Re: Honey? What's that smell?

Quote:
Originally posted by jscorse
I seem to have a slight burning (hot) rubber smell eminating from my hood after a long drive. With 60K miles now I'm beginning to wonder about my timing belt.

It's not strong, but definitely rubber. I looked VERY carefully last weekend and couldn't see anything outta place. The belts seem in good condition (no cracks), but I don't know if they've been changed out yet.

Any suggestions on where to look, or is this 'normal'? The timing belt 'should' be good till 100K according to CA state law, even though I'm in MA. I'm sure they use the same one.

The car runs wonderfully and I've had no other problems with it.

Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff, are you hearing any squealing? Just thinking out loud here, but, if your belt is "smelling" my greatest fear would be that the water pump may be on its way out. Any temp fluctuation? I don't want to make you paranoid though. I would think that the only reason for a belt to smell like that would be for it to be slipping "somewhere" along its path, so, it could be the alternator, PS pump, or . . . sheesh, I hate thinking out loud.
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  #5  
Old 10-31-2001, 04:16 AM
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Thanks but...

The timing belt can't be slipping (my brain must be!) but possibly rubbing against something on the outside like the housing.

Nope, no squealing, just smooth and quiet as always. Man! I love the cold weather. The performance improvement is wonderful. This morning's 'launch' onto the highway was quite 'spirited'.

Locked in AWD? Hmmm I'm not sure what that means. Like...the clutch pack is locked up or something? I doubt it. Seems like the car would handle very differently and is does not.

I'll probably just get new belts and put them on. At 60K (I need to check my recommended service manual) it probably needs them anyway.

Other info. No change in temperature, PS feel, brakes, or AC. Though I haven't had need for much AC as it was 23F this morning.

Hmmm...that get's me thinking. I'll have to smell around tonight when I get home to see if it's still there when the AC is off.

Happy Halloween!!!!
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  #6  
Old 10-31-2001, 09:31 AM
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i am starting to get a bit of a whine.

i think my belt either need adjusting or i am about to lose my power steering pump......
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  #7  
Old 10-31-2001, 04:24 PM
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Jeff, here's another thought: The cam belt cover sometimes becomes warped with age and the timing belt will rub up against it. It happened on one of my covers and it ate right through. O'course, the only way you can tell is if you pull the front cover, because the part the usually gets into the belt is the rear part, next to the engine.
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  #8  
Old 11-01-2001, 04:13 AM
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Thanks

I think it may have something to due with the AC belt. I don't notice the smell so much now that I've had the AC off these past few days.

On my old car the cover wore through as you suggested, so I was thinking the same thing. (Great minds...) When I get some time and its warmer I'll crawl around again to see if I can see any evidence of this. I don't think I want to get into taking the cover off yet though. She's only 4 years old.
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  #9  
Old 11-01-2001, 10:23 AM
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EEK! I don't even want to think of the outcome of a slipping AC belt. If the belt is slipping only in AC, it could be the clutch going out or the compressor itself in danger. You'd definitely wanna have that checked.
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  #10  
Old 11-01-2001, 10:55 AM
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Oh MAN!

Now I'm worried. I'll have to 'really' look into this some more.....
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  #11  
Old 11-01-2001, 11:00 AM
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Re: Oh MAN!

Quote:
Originally posted by jscorse
Now I'm worried. I'll have to 'really' look into this some more.....
Sorry, Jeff. I didn't want to worry you. Just wanted to make you aware. When was the last time you had your AC serviced?
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  #12  
Old 11-01-2001, 11:04 AM
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Serviced?

Never. The car is only 4 years old, though with 60K miles and of course recently out of my extended warrenty.

It seems to work fine. Cooling in the summer and drying/defrosting in the winter.

I'll have to look into this some more. I keep forgetting to stick my noise under the hood when I get home. Maybe it's because Shelby is right there at my door waiting for me to step out when I get home! )
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