Avar928

This is for an early '86 32V Auto.

What would be the cause of a burning smell under hard braking? I just happened to notice this recently, when I do a power run and then ride on my brake to slow down or brake too hard I end up smelling something burning when at full stop. This never happens under normal or light braking conditions.

I've checked for oil leaks and drips, nothing whatsoever. The brakes probably have around less that 10,000 miles on them and are about 10 years old so they most likely need to be changed (already got new pads and sensors from Roger ready to install but I may need to do rotors and a caliper rebuild too).

Anything else I should look out for? The first time I smelled it I immediately pulled over and popped the hood. No smoke or anything. Couldn't trace the smell as it had dissipated.

daveo90s4

The smell of hot brakes when braking hard is usually caused by the brakes getting hot when braking hard. :-)

Avar928

I've done hard braking and prolonged braking before and never smelled any burning. I usually have my windows down when I drive.

My ABS has been acting up lately, sometimes switching off and then on. I was thinking it was due to that.

TYP928S

Does it smell like chicken??? Search " Bird in my caliper"

jon '84 US Auto

Avar928

Not chicken but we've found a few mice in our garage. I'll check to see if something is dead inside.

stealth

I've found the remnants of a pesky plastic grocery bag inside the vents of a rotor before when I removed it.

Charley B

There is a distinct oder present when brake pads get over heated, and it dissapates pretty quickly. I can't tell from your reference to "burning smell" if that is what you are referring to. If you're unfamiliar with the oder it could strike you as something burning.

You often get a whiff of it when descending a mountain pass as it wafts in from other cars and especially 18 wheelers.

If you're familiar with the oder there is nothing else that compares to it.

James-man

Oil filler cap on? I drove 50 miles to an autocross event with my filler cap sitting on the intake plenum. ~

Many brakes pads have compounds that generate a variety of hot odors. What pads do you use?

928mac

Well you maybe locking a wheel


But more then likely you have some oil on the brakes