Rubber burning smell in cabin

[nhromyak]

Hi all,

My '85 sometimes gets a rubber burning smell in the cabin...

Suggestions?

At first I thought my alternator went out again, then I smelled again and it is definately rubber as opposed to acrid (battery smell). I had the battery smell before when the regulator went out about 5K miles ago.

I have 7 & 9 fuchs, but have had these for a while. Maybe it is the new-ish RE730s? I have put about 1K miles on these.

I removed the cat... can the test pipe be burning the 245/45-16 Re730s AND getting in the cabin?

When I smell the burning, I have no fans, only the radio. I do have an amp and two 8" woofers. I have had this setup for some time and it sounds just as good as when I put it in.

I have R&R's the passenger door lock mechanism. Pretty straight forward, it has it's own definative connector (i.e. you can't put in incorrectly.
I marked the power window wires (passenger side) when I disconnected them. The power windows work well.

Actually, EVERYTHING works. So what is causing the rubber burning smell?

Anyone have come across this one?

TIA


------------------
Nick Hromyak
'85 Carrera 7 & 9 Fuchs
Havin' Fun in Sacramento

[john walker's workshop]

you're sure the tires are not rubbing on something? spring plate adjusting nuts, strut tops, fender?

[RarlyL8]

How's your fan belt?

[nhromyak]

I do not see anything.

The only thing that has really changed is the tires. I had Yoko AVS (same size, although I know that doesn't mean they are EXACTLY the same size) before and no burning rubber smell.

My alignment is close, although not exactly correct. I know my toe is set for 1/16 - 1/8" toe in.


I have tried lowering the front. Then reset it to 1/4" below "OEM" settings (measured at the fender lip).

TIA
Nick

[nhromyak]

The fan belt is glossed a bit.

Could this be it?

I will replace it just to find out.

Anything else???

Thanks


[This message has been edited by nhromyak (edited 09-24-2001).]

[davis911s]

Could it be the clutch? Have you been doing any Burn outs or quick starts? Or the E-brake jammed on?

Smells (sounds) like clutch or brakes to me.

Shawn

[Doug Zielke]

Nick,
Don't trust the wiring, just 'cause "everthing is working". Are you sure you're not smelling burning wiring?

------------------
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
The Blue Bomber's Website
"If it ain't broke...we'll help you fix it 'til it is!"

[don911]

You may have done this already but...have you pulled your wheels off and checked the inside side walls? I also just put on the RE730's, tho on 7's and 8's. I know they have a wheel protector built into the tire. It sticks out quite a bit and maybe rubbing on a suspension part. Just a guess.

Don
87 coupe

[jabb]

Make sure you have a fire extingusiher
Just in case .....

------------------

• Joe A.
• 84 911 Targa
• 75 914/6 3.0

[Zendalar]

U sure it ain't burning oil smell? Personally I don't know how these exchangers go bad (I don't have), but I have the heatpipes still open and sometimes it drips little oil on exhaust and I can smell the burning oil, smells little like burning rubber.

//Zen

[nhromyak]

I haven't double-checked the inside tire sidewall yet.

I do carry a fire-extinguisher (doesn't everyone?)

I am a little (very little) leary of the wiring to the amp.

I do know what burning oil smells like, I had a 73 with a 2.7 before this '85. It leaked all the time
)
This smell certainly is not oil. Unless Kendall has done something to the oil in my last batch that makes it smell this way.

I have not been doing fast starts or burn-outs. Hence, I don't think my clutch with 10k miles will be doing this.
I have done 90 degree slides at the auto-cross, and it does smell something like that, but not quite so acid-icky (maybe acrid, is that a word?

I am leaning to the fan belt. The tension is good, I can deflect the belt ~1/4" - 3/8" with one finger.

One other diagnosis, I do NOT get the smell when the heater is ON.

Thanks to all.

I am open to other suggestions...

Nick

[Gary F]

I'm following this with curiosity as my '85 is doing the same thing. I also have 7 & 9 Fuchs, with AVS Sports. Nothing is rubbing the tires as far as I can tell. The fan belt is showing a little wear. I only notice the smell when I drive to work (30 miles) on the freeway, and only when I get out of the car. I've also got an amp powering the sound system, including two 8-inch subwoofers (great minds think a like?).

My conclusion is that the fan belt is getting toasty, as the smell is not real strong, but has started only in the last few months. The AC belt is OK, but I would love a good reason to pitch that system off the car as it makes any kind of work a real pain in...

[nhromyak]

Hi Gary, have you noticed if it happens when the lights are on?

Just wondering if it might be an extra load on the alternator = slipping belt = burning smell.

I never really took notice of it, until I decided to post here. I didn't notice if it happens on short trips, or long, lights on or not.

It rained today, so I did not change the belt, or drive the car today. I am a Porsche fair weather driver.

email me nhromyak@yahoo.com

[This message has been edited by nhromyak (edited 09-25-2001).]

[cim]

i always have a small 8.5 sec. extinguisher in my car...

[nhromyak]

I believe my A/C is out of R-12. So I have removed the belt. I would like to get it repaired ($500+, needs a hose or two and a recharge and checked for leaks) someday.

That leaves the fan belt. I will TRY to replace it tonight.

Thanks RARLY8!

Nick

[john70t]

Make sure the cat shield is there, the under coating can catch on fire.

[nhromyak]

I have no cat... Testpipe.

When I do put the Cat back, I will keep the shield.
Thanks
Nick

[carrera]

Wonderful; it must be a virus.
I just got home after driving my carrera and what do I hear ?
Hissss.... only to find a roofing nail in my rear tire.
So I am removing the nail and what do I smell?
Burning rubber, faint but it is there.
It is raining and I have been driving hard.
I will be watching this post for updates.
Could it just be a wet fan belt?
The belt is adjusted properly.
I did not have any oil leaks last week when I had the car on a hoist.
P.S. S02's work very well in the wet.