Pesty

been out in the car todayfor a hoon. did around 240 miles and made good progress

I noticed that every time I stopped the car there was a strong buring rubber smell.
deffinatly not oil and not clutch I know what that smells like cos I tred to do a fast start and my knee locked in place on teh clucth an old wound. probably taken a year of its life today must be more careful

should I be worried or do they all do that sir?

Thanks

Bill Wagner

I thought I was having a burning rubber smell too several months ago. It turned out that there is a tiny, trickle leak at one of the valve covers.

If you're convinced it really is burning rubber and not the clutch or a leak, I would check the belts and make sure they aren't loose and slipping.

Pesty

ok cheers. ill have a look at the belts

Richard Curtis

don't forget to check the distributor belt!!

Pesty

is that an easy job richard? I asume i just take off a dist cap and look at the bottom?

dove

Pesty, Theres a small metal circle plug on the side(facing rear of the car) of the distibutor,get a screw driver and pop it of to check the condition of the belt.I didnt and didnt know about it until after my Porsche specialist replaced a perfectly good belt when he could have checked the condition of it by doing this.
Paul

Pesty

Hoon= spirited drive

I think ive located the inspection cap for teh distributer belt. its not round though more like oblong will have a jab at it .

Richard Curtis

I'm not sure that inspection window gives you a sufficient view of the condition of the belt. It will tell if the belt is intact but not if it's cracked (which would be visible mostly on the inside of the belt, where the belt weakens between the "cogs" of the belt). Remove the secondary distributor cap, pull the rotor and peer down into the distributor; you'll be able to see the belt easily. Look for a lot of rubber dust. If the belt hasn't been replaced in past 50,000 miles (or 5 years), best to replace it now. The belt costs about US $7 if my memory serves; you can replace it yourself if you're halfway competent although it is a tricky DIY repair the first time. You'll also need the distributor drive roll pin (<$1 US). Labor costs at reputable shops should be around $200 as it's about a 2-hour job. Porsche recommends a new distributor I think. Hope this helps.

bhensarl

When my A/C compressor clutch died I got a lovely burning rubber smell with the A/C turned on as the belt rubbed against the seized pulley. The death of my A/C compressor was also heralded by a loud pop noise and smoke, however, so that is probably not your problem.
Brian

martinreinhardt

Are you sure it is not comming from the front tires touching when you turn while parking? (inside of the tires)

Pesty

well it dosnt seem to be as strong smelling now. I did find whilst looking around that the dip stick had come loose/not been put back correctly. so it may have been an oil smell after all. fan belts and air con belts are ok.
tried to get the inspection window out but gave up. next time i get chance will take the dissy cap off as advised above.
cheers.