So a little over a month ago I had my tranny fluid flushed, and as far as I can remember it was the next day that I smelled the phantom smell. It only happens when I am coming to a stop after going down the highway. Anything 60 or over. I never smell it in town driving around. Nor do I smell it AS Im driving down the highway. I know this sounds like brakes, but Im almost 100% positive its not the brakes. Though there is that 1% chance than Im completely wrong. But I start to smell it as Im slowing down, even when Im not touching the brakes. Its like its being caused by something turning at such high speeds. And then when I start to slow down the smell permeates the cabin.

So the best way I can describe it - its kinda like the smell of burning rubber, with maybe a hint of some type of burning oil in the mix. As I said, the first time I came across the smell was the day after I had the tranny fluid flushed. I smelled it after I came to a stop off of a highway. Its somewhat sparatic. But seems to have gotten worse over the past month. Today it was really strong as I got off the highway. I originally thought it was the new tranny fluid. That maybe it had a break in period where it produced a smell. I would think if that were the case it would have faded away over time. But like I said its gotten worse. I sure hope Toyota didnt make a mistake when they did the flush. Anyways, I havent had any performance issues, cel light, anything like that. At least not yet. This is an odd issue, I know.

So, calling on the experts on this one. Or anyone who might have the slightest clue what this could be. Thanks in advance for the help guys!

I am going to say " valve cover leak". It drips a drop or two of oil on the exhaust manifold and there is your smell.

I am also going to say valve cover leak...

After you've done some driving and you get out of your car, take a whiff from the gap between your hood and your front fenders. See if it smells burning rubbery smelling.

I get the same thing, and my drivers side valve cover is leaking. I have been puttting it off, as I am too lazy. Hope the passenger side is leaking on yours, as it only takes about an hour to replace ;)

Hmm. Thats not what I had expected at all. I know both valve covers were changed like 3 years ago. Seems strange that they would already or suddenly be leaking. But I will definately check that out tomorrow!

My 4runner smells like bacon bits. The bottle burst while I was moving and bacon bits went all over the back. Need to vacuum them out.

FYI, the artificial bacon bits don't really smell like bacon. It's just... weird smelling.

Like wet smoked cardboard?

Did you figure this out? I noticed a similar smell this morning on the driver side. Need to go smell the hood.

I'll never forget the time a friend bought a used 95' Runner. he called me the next day since he was so excited. When I got over there he said he loved everything except that the Driver's seat smelled like A$$....LOL!!!!

He tried all kinds of carpet cleaners and other stuff to get rid of the A$$ smell. He finally had it steam cleaned twice to no avail...... All I could think of is the previous owner must of **** his pants bad or something...

We finally found a seat in a wrecked 94 that matched and replaced the funky seat...LOL!!!!!

I wouldn't let him drive on our fishiing trips until he got the A$$ smell out of his Runner...ROFLMAO!!!!

Another stinky source is the burning of diff oil on the brake shoes on the rear end.

So its been a while since I started this thread. Im reviving it because as the weather has warmed up this smell is coming back. In fact it seems to be getting stronger. I know the conditions under which I smell it are strange, but as I mentioned in the first post, I smell it . . .

- Only when coming to a stop after driving at speeds of 60 or over
- It goes away within seconds once Ive stopped
- Didnt smell it one single time throughout the winter. Only when it warms up
- It started when I had my tranny fluid changed last summer in August (to the best of my knowledge)
- My oil level never goes down which would indicated to me that Im not loosing engine oil
- It smells like a combination of burning rubber and that pungent smell that comes off of hot sand at an ocean beach (if you dont know what Im referring to, just disregard that)

I dont even know where to start in diagnosing this smell. Its just odd, not like anything Ive smelled from any vehicle before. And it has me concerned as its getting stronger.

Any advice?

My guess is that the source of the smell lies here....

Between my lip and nose? I mean shouldnt the arrow be pointing to the nose??

My dad used to always get me with that one when I complained about a bad smell!

On topic..... if you aren't losing any fluids (tranny, brake, oil, power steering) then you need to get under the truck and look for any rubbing. You said it smells like burning rubber? Are your tires rubbing anything? Brake caliper locked up?

Slipping belts? My wife's alternator belt was not loose enough to squeal, but I noticed it slipping when reving the engine in park. Glazed rubber smells like burnt a$#!

So you have for sure checked out the valve cover gaskets? Totally dry all the way around? It can be hard to see the very back of the head, where the camshafts and covers meet...this is a likely area for leakage. And a few drops here and there won't show up on the dipstick, but would definitely produce a stink.