Burn smell coming from rear

BJsBuds · 04:00 AM

Just purchased my first Porsche, a 2003 Boxster S. I had a PPI inspection, Leakdown test, and oil change before I flew down to South Carolina to finalize the purchase. Everything checked out except a comment that there was evidence of a water pump leak; however, it wasn't leaking now.

Since driving home, I have driven her three times, and each time there is a strong smell coming from the back, almost like a burning smell. Cannot smell it from the side vents, but can smell it from the rear tires.

I thought I would drive it today and then open the engine compartment to see if I could identify the origination of the smell.

Has anyone else had this type of issue, and if so, can you give me some ideas?

jcb986 · 10-05-2013, 04:43 PM

AOS leak, spark plug tube leak, axle seal leak, valve cover or plug leak. You going to have to get under it. Oil is getting on your exhaust and it does no take a lot to get the smell. Mine has a Tip and the axle seal was leaking on the final drive side, passenger side.

BJsBuds · 10-06-2013, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcb986

AOS leak, spark plug tube leak, axle seal leak, valve cover or plug leak. You going to have to get under it. Oil is getting on your exhaust and it does no take a lot to get the smell. Mine has a Tip and the axle seal was leaking on the final drive side, passenger side.

Can you please tell me what an AOS leak is?

I am pretty sure you are right, in that I am going to have to get under the car to find it, as I opened the engine compartment yesterday and ran the engine for 30 minutes. No smell anywhere. So it must be occurring when the engine is not in idle.

When I shut it off, there was quite a bit of liquid under the right side of the car. I touched and smelt the liquid and it sure seemed like water.

patkeefe · 10-06-2013, 08:23 AM

Mine did that once. I did my best to ignore it, because I couldn't find it. Eventually, I determined it was overflow from the cooling system (because it overflowed at the track!)
Some long period of time passed, and it happened again. Tank in the rear trunk had cracked, which I replaced. Have not smelled it again.

UNYboater · UNYboater's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJsBuds

Can you please tell me what an AOS leak is?

I am pretty sure you are right, in that I am going to have to get under the car to find it, as I opened the engine compartment yesterday and ran the engine for 30 minutes. No smell anywhere. So it must be occurring when the engine is not in idle.

When I shut it off, there was quite a bit of liquid under the right side of the car. I touched and smelt the liquid and it sure seemed like water.

AOS = Air/oil separator: see this where I just went through it.

The other post also mentioned other possible issues to do a search here & read up on. Good luck!

Oh, the water? Was your A/C on (don't know where you life)? It may just be the condensing moisture pulled out of the air by the A/C system.

dghii · 10-09-2013, 08:45 PM

Get under your car and look at your CV ale boots. If one is torn it will throw grease all over your exhaust and cause a pretty good stink. The S is more prone to the tear than base cars.

You don't need new axles, just get new boots and pack them.