I am a first time 911 owner- alright it is technically a 997.

Anyway, I was surprized to note an incredibly irritating pungent oder during the first 1000 miles. I was informed by my great salesman , Jeff Coleman at Isringhausen Motors that this was some sort of coating on the p-car to protect while shipping, and that it will burn off. It seemed to. However, I have 2800 miles on her and I note a not so subtle oil burning smell after a typical drive. I have no oil drip. The engine is clean, and I have replaced about .5 qt. of oil since I have had the car. I have never noted this on any other car prior, is this one of those things that a p-car newbie would be clueless about or what?

Curious, interested in similar observations.

Thanks ahead of time for your response.

 

I purchased my 997 new and have about 3k miles on it. I do not notice now or in the past any ordor that you're describing.

 

I am not (yet?) an owner, but I did recently take a 997 for a test drive. After a nice drive, I pulled back into the dealer's lot, got out and thought uh-oh - - what have I done. I clearly smelled something like burning oil. I mentioned this to the sales rep, and he said it is normal at first and would decrease as the car got more miles. 2800 miles sounds like it should be enough, but who knows. (FYI - I am blessed with a "larger" rhinus myself, and have been accused of having hype-sensitive smell. If you're a member of this club, and are now tuned-in to this oil smell maybe you're picking up something that has in fact abated. Take the car for a good spin with a neutral passenger and see what another nose senses/says.)

 

The only thing I have smelled burning after a spirited ride are the tires (literally).

 

Johnza, is the odor inside the car or noticeable when you stop and step outside the car?

I ask because if its inside it could be coming from the aircon unit. I had this with my Audi TT.

 

I'm with Boolala - only thing I smell after driving is the hot rubber of the tires

 

I smell the "hot Rubber" which to me smells like clutch. Dealer said "Tires"at 7000 miles. I now have 10,000 miles, the interior had a slight odor which faded into mild leather scent.

 

I think the odor your salesman is talking about is the cosmoline (SP?) coating that is supposed to protect the car and then burns off with a rather stinky smell. It should be gone by 2800 miles I would think. It may be your clutch? You may want to check for some premature wear on the clutch and if it has some premature wear, my guess is that would be your answer...if not then take a spirited drive to your dealer and park it in the service bay and let them smell what you are smelling. Good luck!

BK

 

Sounds normal to me. I had with my first engine and with my second ( now done 2000 miles). 1st was replaced under warranty but nothing to do with the smell!
Mark

 

No smell except for the new car smell.

 

Could also be the brakes. There's a distinct smell after EVERY drive I take in the 997 (3100 miles on the odo); it smells like a mix of burning oil, cosmoline, tires, and brakes. I chalk it up to an idiosyncrasy of the car.

 

I actually get an slight buring oil smell after a drive myself. There does not appear to be any leaks etc. anyplace. At 5K I took it to my local Porsche shop for an oil change. I mentioned this smell and when he was changing the oil he gave the motor a good going over and said it was nice and dry. I'm planning on getting the car to the dealership so they can have a look at it (and a record of the issue).

I'll post their findings...

Thanks

Matt

 

i'd second the cosmoline hypothesis

 

Cosmoline. They all have it and if you drive it hard enough (but only to 4200 of course!) it will smell of burning that's like hot brakes and a slipped clutch. It's normal and will go away.

 

Have you ever noticed quite a few shots of the underside of a "P" car? Notice a brown coloring on the oil pan area? That's the Cosmoline. If it's removed, dealers re-treat the area. This is to protect the aluminum from pitting due to salts and other natural effects.

Clutch smell is unique. New car break-in you smell all the solvents used in mfg exhaust, aluminum casting release waxes and all sorts of odd smells, some close to an oil odor. Buring Mobil-1 has a very hard smell. No blue smoke from th pipes? No leak? I would not worry yet.

Regards,
Deanski