Burning rubber/plastic smell

[Qyota]

It's friggin cold now (0 F right now, heading to -10), and my runner is starting to act up a bit. I'm going to have the transmission replaced in a few weeks, but until then I need to drive this thing.

I'm getting a weird hot/burning smell (not oil) coming from the engine area. I can smell it after I pull the truck into the garage, but it quickly dissipates and I can't find the source. I have noticed that there is a little extra "ticking" coming from somewhere around the brake booster as well. Not sure if they are related.

Lastly, I've noticed the front driver side wheel pretty heavily coated in brake dust, while the other side seems pretty normal. Could I have a slightly sticky caliper causing the stink? I've smelled hot brakes before, though...and it's different.

I've been meaning to source parts for the Tundra brake upgrade, so maybe I need to work faster on that project.

Anyway, if you have any ideas for me, shoot!

Thanks

P.S. - when it rains, it pours...our VW Passat is also experiencing some issues. It be just my luck to have both cars crap out at the same time! :wow:

 

[JohnsD90]

It's friggin cold now (0 F right now, heading to -10), and my runner is starting to act up a bit. I'm going to have the transmission replaced in a few weeks, but until then I need to drive this thing.

I'm getting a weird hot/burning smell (not oil) coming from the engine area. I can smell it after I pull the truck into the garage, but it quickly dissipates and I can't find the source. I have noticed that there is a little extra "ticking" coming from somewhere around the brake booster as well. Not sure if they are related.

Lastly, I've noticed the front driver side wheel pretty heavily coated in brake dust, while the other side seems pretty normal. Could I have a slightly sticky caliper causing the stink? I've smelled hot brakes before, though...and it's different.

I've been meaning to source parts for the Tundra brake upgrade, so maybe I need to work faster on that project.

Anyway, if you have any ideas for me, shoot!

Thanks

P.S. - when it rains, it pours...our VW Passat is also experiencing some issues. It be just my luck to have both cars crap out at the same time! :wow:

Switch to a 5 speed, whats wrong with the passat?

 

[KellyJ]

It sounds like you might have a leg up on the situation, seeing that you've noticed the excessive brake dust buildup on your front left wheel. I suggest jacking the front up off the ground and seeing how difficult or easy it is to spin each front wheel. If the front driver side wheel is difficult to turn, remove the tire and inspect the caliper/rotor. That's probably the best place to start

 

[Qyota]

Thanks for the tip, Kelly! I'll do that today.

John, one more 5-speed quip outta you, and I'll...I'll...;-)

 

[AF808fighter]

What's wrong with your tranny? Last night it was about 10 degrees and after warming up my 4runner for 5 minutes I went to put it in reverse, it hesitated and clunked, pretty much dropped extremely hard into gear. It did it again after it sat outside the grocery store for 15 minutes. I put it into reverse several more times after the tranny warmed up and it was fine. That gear clunk is freaking me out.

 

[Qyota]

Just spun the front tires, and no excessive friction was noted. Hmmm...I guess I'll keep driving it until something catches fire!

 

[gimpey03]

It's friggin cold now (0 F right now, heading to -10), and my runner is starting to act up a bit. I'm going to have the transmission replaced in a few weeks, but until then I need to drive this thing.

I'm getting a weird hot/burning smell (not oil) coming from the engine area. I can smell it after I pull the truck into the garage, but it quickly dissipates and I can't find the source. I have noticed that there is a little extra "ticking" coming from somewhere around the brake booster as well. Not sure if they are related.

Lastly, I've noticed the front driver side wheel pretty heavily coated in brake dust, while the other side seems pretty normal. Could I have a slightly sticky caliper causing the stink? I've smelled hot brakes before, though...and it's different.

I've been meaning to source parts for the Tundra brake upgrade, so maybe I need to work faster on that project.

Anyway, if you have any ideas for me, shoot!

Thanks

P.S. - when it rains, it pours...our VW Passat is also experiencing some issues. It be just my luck to have both cars crap out at the same time! :wow:

Im getting the same problem with my 4runner.I cant find where the smell is coming from and making it. It smell like burn something. I was thinking it was the differential oil because my rear axle seal was leaking before but its fixed now and still making that foul smell inside the truck . I checked underneath the vehicle and cant find anything leaking.Did you found out where or what is making that smell on your truck? Can any 4runner owners give your two cents on this?

 

[Patrick4R]

For what it's worth, I have a similar smell coming from my 96 SR5 automatic. However, I've seen what has been causing it. There is a small amount of oil (only a couple of drops) that drips off the valve covers onto the exhaust manifold causing that smell. As soon as the weather gets better I have a feeling that I need new gaskets. Check the rear corner of the right side of the motor for an oil drip.

 

[alp]

I noticed the same smell two days ago after driving just a few miles and then parking the truck in 6" deep snow on the parking lot in ski resort. The smell was coming from underneath and stayed for few minutes. It smells like burning wire insulation. Next day after I drove the truck home for 5 hours and parked it in a dry place there was no any smell at all. I am guessing and I hope that the smeel was coming from the melting snow on the hot surfaces of exhaust components.

 

[JohnsD90]

Make sure your exhaust system is connected up, before i replaced my tailpipe the exhaust would let out under the rear seats and they would heat up and leave a wierd smell.

 

[Qyota]

I'm pretty sure it IS oil now. Probably a leaky valve cover gasket on the driver side back of the engine. Bummer! I can't actually see anything leaking, and it's not enough to drip on the ground...but that's gotta be what it is.

So, I guess when it warms up a little higher than -2F, I'll have to look into replacing those. And here I thought I was done messing with this thing for a few thousand miles.

 

[topdown4runner]

I had the same smell / drip on all of my 3.4's
95 T100
96 4Runner
97 4Runner

Havn't changed any of the gaskets as of yet. Just putting a piece of old carpet underneath to catch the drips.

Valve cover gasket leaks are very common on these engines. No biggie, just a mess.

 

[Qyota]

Yeah, that's true. But getting out of the truck and getting a big whiff of burning oil isn't very pleasant, and is a constant reminder that there's a slight leak. Before tearing into it, I'm going to see if I can slightly snug up the valve cover bolts on that side. Worth a shot.

 

[Izanewman]

I had burning oil smell on my 99 SR5. It was a leaky wheel bearing seal that was leaking into the rear brake drum and burning off. Not sure if any of the front bearing or pinion seals would cause the problem in the front.

 

[3G_runner]

thats weird that u have a leaking valve cover dripping onto your manifold too. i have that exact smell coming from the rear engine on the driver side. i see some smoke rising very lightly when the engine is hot but cant pin point exactly cause of the heat shield blocking. hopefully it is just a little oil dripping from the valve that needs a new gasket and not a crack in the manifold or anything else.
mines 264k miles and hope it will hang tuff.

 

[MrBunnyRunner]

I'm adding myself to this fantastic discussion because I also have a burning sensation when I... uh... drive.

I'll try to troubleshoot this next week but I did notice it the "Service Logs" (that you can get for free from the Toyota Owners - Official Toyota Owners Website) that the dealer tried to trouble shoot in the past and was unsuccessful (shocked I know).

 

[CitadelBlue]

Count me in on this thread as well. I have the burning smell ..... I don't see any oil drips or lower oil levels on the dipstick. No hoses on hot surfaces .... brakes are ok .....