Open heater smells like burnt rubber

[JGsc]

I recently had the cables replaced for the heater box flaps on my '78 sc, now whenever the flaps are open, it smells like burnt rubber in the cockpit. I could understand smelling burnt oil if a drop or two had contact. Any ideas what this may be?

[DRACO A5OG]

Hey Welcome aboard!

Well, is the offensive odor getting stronger or disapating?

Check under the car to see how the repair was done, maybe something is disconnected or lodged. Take a pic, it may help others get a reference for your year.

[wwest]

Your clutch disk rubber center is in the process of failing, coming apart bit by bit.

[Bob Kontak]

wwest - not understanding how this would get burnt rubber smell into the cabin through the heater ducts. Would the odor travel towards the back and get sucked into the engine fan? Wouldn't that smell be there without the heater blowing as well - just not as pronounced in the cabin? Not arguing - just trying to understand.

Perhaps a piece of rubber fell into the heat exchangers through the (engine side) heater hose ports when they were off. But as DRACO says it should dissipate over time. Bummer is you can't really get a good look inside them even when off.

[euro911sc]

Welcome to the board and lets see a pic of the car!

There are rubber seals that go between the heater flappers and the body. Perhaps one of yours is dead or out of place. the flappers them selves have a plastic blade tip on the valves inside. One of those may be dead. Get under the car and start at the flappers. Trace the system back to the engine tin. Look for disconnected hoses and holes.

then go into the engine bay and look at the hoses in there. also check your heater blower connections.

Remember that the air for the heating system goes through the engine fan so anything burning in the engine compartment will smell into the cabin.

It is unlikely that the clutch is causing the issue, but possible. Most SC's have had their faulty rubber centered clutches replaced sometime in the last 30 odd years.

There is a rubber seal that prevents air from moving from under the engine to the top of the engine so the smell is likely a culprit in the engine bay area. Unless your seal is shot.

-Michael

[JGsc]

Very helpful replies, thank you. the odor is dissipating; must have been a spot of oil.

[DRACO A5OG]

Oh Good to Hear!

Hey Targa, Nice Looking Ride :-)