Burning smell
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Luzerne county, Pennsylvania
Burning smell
Looking for some help. I have a 2009 Targa 4s that has a burning smell when driven. It started when I opted into the sport or sport plus mode. Now it is also in the normal mode. When I take it to the dealer they smell it but can’t find the source. Anyone out there experience the same problem? Any solutions or directions.
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,603
Likes: 2,562
From: Atlanta
My 2009 at 130K miles will stink after hard running.... always has for my 100K miles of ownership. Porsche were kinda famous for this stink. I am a bit surprised the dealer doesn't recognize the smell... unless something really is wrong. I get stinker smell from running hard in the rain for some reason. It smells like something is burning. Porsche uses (I think still did on our cars) a coating called cosmoline that is a rust inhibitor. I heard they use it for shipping over seas.... I am sure some others here know more about this. Cosmoline stinks when hot.
It is impossible to describe smells in writing.... although, I've been told my writing stinks itself.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
It is impossible to describe smells in writing.... although, I've been told my writing stinks itself.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Luzerne county, Pennsylvania
That is what I initially thought because I ran harder on the sport settings. Now as I said before it is even on the normal setting. Even ran easy on normal and still had it. I don’t smell this smell on Porsche’s or 911’s at the track. There seems to be nothing in technical bulletins that I can find. One would think cosmoline would wear down over time. Do other manufacturers use it? I’ve not really been in other 911 so no comparison there. Perhaps you should rejoice in not being as bad a writer as others!
Thanks.
Thanks.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 691
From: San Francisco
While 997s are definitely more fragrant than other cars, I've found my nose knows when something is not right with the car. If you are asking its not normal and I would recommend tracking it down.
I say this from experience. I had an issue last year where the car was a bit smellier than usual. I first wrote it off as "normal" but after a few days started to investigate. I eventually found the source: a huge bolt lodged in my rear tire. The smell was burning rubber as the bolt heated up from road friction. If I had not been looking for it I would have never found it...until my tire blew.
First thing I would do is isolate where its coming from, and the type of smell it is:
- Is it coming from the front/rear or driver/passenger side?
- Is it a hot rubber smell: check your exhaust for bits of rubber and tires for any screws.
- Is it a sweet smell: check your expansion tank and water pump for any coolant leaks. Look under the car and see if there is anything resembling dried bubblegum.
- Is it a hot oil smell: check for any obvious leaks, but the dealer should have caught that.
- Is it a sulfur smell: cats but no knowledge here and assume the dealer would have caught that.
- Is it an acidic smell: how many miles on the clutch? check for any slippage by putting the car in 4th gear and stomping on the gas.
- Is it a brake smell: check each wheel well to see if you can isolate it. (I had another experience where I found a burnt leaf lodged in my caliper. I could hear a faint clicking noise as it rubbed along the rotor at low speeds.)
Keep us posted but do track it down like a bloodhound. Mechanics will never know your car as well as you do.
I say this from experience. I had an issue last year where the car was a bit smellier than usual. I first wrote it off as "normal" but after a few days started to investigate. I eventually found the source: a huge bolt lodged in my rear tire. The smell was burning rubber as the bolt heated up from road friction. If I had not been looking for it I would have never found it...until my tire blew.
First thing I would do is isolate where its coming from, and the type of smell it is:
- Is it coming from the front/rear or driver/passenger side?
- Is it a hot rubber smell: check your exhaust for bits of rubber and tires for any screws.
- Is it a sweet smell: check your expansion tank and water pump for any coolant leaks. Look under the car and see if there is anything resembling dried bubblegum.
- Is it a hot oil smell: check for any obvious leaks, but the dealer should have caught that.
- Is it a sulfur smell: cats but no knowledge here and assume the dealer would have caught that.
- Is it an acidic smell: how many miles on the clutch? check for any slippage by putting the car in 4th gear and stomping on the gas.
- Is it a brake smell: check each wheel well to see if you can isolate it. (I had another experience where I found a burnt leaf lodged in my caliper. I could hear a faint clicking noise as it rubbed along the rotor at low speeds.)
Keep us posted but do track it down like a bloodhound. Mechanics will never know your car as well as you do.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Luzerne county, Pennsylvania
Has PDK. Calipers seem to hang before it warms up but not sure this is it. Looking at it though. The cv boot was replaced and it got worse after that. Friday they told me the tech couldn’t replicate the smell. Told them to stop as the service manager and a salesman confirmed the smell when I drove in to drop it off. I’m suspecting I’m running up against they can’t bill me for anything in their search and are using that as an excuse to throw their hands up in the air.
Trending Topics
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 134
Likes: 70
My 09 stinks when it's hot. Have been told by more than one mechanic that they all do and that mine was actually mild. However, after I noticed my coolant was reading slightly low when cold I replaced the coolant cap. There was a small amount of crust around the opening. Since then the smell is not as strong and is less pungent, if that makes since.
I'm am surprised they would even chase an odor unless it was something way out of the ordinary.
I'm am surprised they would even chase an odor unless it was something way out of the ordinary.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner
Joe Kucinski
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People
Verdad Gallardo
Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Luzerne county, Pennsylvania
So the dealer was unable to find anything that might be directly causing the burning smell. However they did suggest that a buildup of salt on the exhaust might be contributing to or be a potential source of the smell. They cleaned the exhaust off as best they could. They smell is drastically reduced. I’m not convinced this was the problem as the smell existed before the salt applications. Others who have reported that their cars stink, “smell” may not live in areas that use salt or a brine like application prior to weather events. At least the next time, hopefully it won’t, the smell returns I will clean off the exhaust.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 691
From: San Francisco
Interesting. I would search in your area for companies that power wash the underside of the car. In my area there are 2-3 and they typically charge ~$100 to put it on a lift and clean it. Seems like that could be practice anyway if driving in the snow/salt.
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,603
Likes: 2,562
From: Atlanta
So the dealer was unable to find anything that might be directly causing the burning smell. However they did suggest that a buildup of salt on the exhaust might be contributing to or be a potential source of the smell. They cleaned the exhaust off as best they could. They smell is drastically reduced. I’m not convinced this was the problem as the smell existed before the salt applications. Others who have reported that their cars stink, “smell” may not live in areas that use salt or a brine like application prior to weather events. At least the next time, hopefully it won’t, the smell returns I will clean off the exhaust.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Luzerne county, Pennsylvania
Interesting you say that grasshopper. We have had these rains. Some of it has been washed away. Not convinced it’s the answer. Of course now it’s snowing, freezing rain and supposed to rain. They use a fine red gravel in my development to add to the mix. What I really need to do after this weather filters through is put the car up on the lift and look myself. This would require moving two cars that don’t see winter if at all possible. Hoosiers don’t work well in wet, ice or snow!
