Burning Smell After Flooring it for the First Time

[pableaux]

Yesterday, driving on the highway, I floored my '19 SR5 for the first time since I bought it in September with 6k miles; It's currently at just under 12k. Afterward, there was a burning smell that maybe lasted a minute or so.

Is this something to be worried about? I'm assuming maybe it was just burning some buildup in the engine. I checked under the hood and didn't notice any oil anywhere. Maybe it was the clutch?

Either way, just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this or could shed any light.

 

[epjfsa]

You're probably just driving it "too easy." A few things can happen, like harmless carbon buildup that comes out under heavy load (do a google search for "italian tune-up"). There's also catalyst poisoning from sulfur and other compounds in gasoline. This decreases the effectiveness of the catalyst which can lead to both a burning and a rotten egg smell. High engine load can burn up and expel those compounds and restore its effectiveness.

I've always found that my vehicles run better when the engine is ran out on the regular. It's what on-ramps are for :shrug: Regardless, the engine is almost definitely fine.

 

[keph13]

There's no clutch in an automatic - but it might have been the torque converter heating up. My mom lives up on a mountain, and every car I've ever owned, including my 2010 4runner, has smelled a little burn-y when I get there. Doesn't seem to have ever caused problems.

 

[pableaux]

There's no clutch in an automatic - but it might have been the torque converter heating up. My mom lives up on a mountain, and every car I've ever owned, including my 2010 4runner, has smelled a little burn-y when I get there. Doesn't seem to have ever caused problems.

My bad, you're right. I meant torque converter. Thanks for the info!

 

[catrains]

driving at high speed and full throttle the exhaust gets hot.. then what I had happen was the rubber exhaust mounts caused the smell..when new..

 

[Mudballz]

Your truck is Shyte I will give you a hundred dollars to ease your burden :gun4:
Lol drive it more like you stole it and use top tier gas
Mike

 

[Charlievee]

i say It's the cats, my god four power robbing cats that heat up and smell like... Catalytic converters.

 

[epjfsa]

i say It's the cats, my god four power robbing cats that heat up and smell like... Catalytic converters.

My man, it's no longer 1982. Time is long past where cats affect power.

 

[Charlievee]

My man, it's no longer 1982. Time is long past where cats affect power.

Best to cut them out, just to be sure.

 

[Drillzzz]

Ah yes that smell is the scent of your balls dropping. Welcome to the club

 

[Space King]

Ah yes that smell is the scent of your balls dropping. Welcome to the club

I was going to say it was the smell of victory... but I guess yours will work too.

 

[epjfsa]

Best to cut them out, just to be sure.

Just park in a bad part of town and someone will do it for you.

 

[JAXJeremy]

completely normal..

 

[Charlievee]

Just park in a bad part of town and someone will do it for you.

Park in town, thats crazy talk.

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

Yesterday, driving on the highway, I floored my '19 SR5 for the first time since I bought it in September with 6k miles; It's currently at just under 12k. Afterward, there was a burning smell that maybe lasted a minute or so.

Is this something to be worried about? I'm assuming maybe it was just burning some buildup in the engine. I checked under the hood and didn't notice any oil anywhere. Maybe it was the clutch?

Either way, just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this or could shed any light.

You went TWELVE THOUSAND miles without flooring it??? :rofl: come on man, you gotta have some more fun!

 

[5thToy]

Sulfur compounds build up on the washcoat during the low temp warm up cycle. Heavy acceleration and high loads elevate exhaust temperature to help burn them off. A healthy dose of the right pedal on occasion keeps catalytic converters happy.

 

[pableaux]

You went TWELVE THOUSAND miles without flooring it??? :rofl: come on man, you gotta have some more fun!

Hahaha more like 6k since I bought it used but still. Yeah, I know what you mean.

 

[tflux]

There's also catalyst poisoning from sulfur and other compounds in gasoline. This decreases the effectiveness of the catalyst which can lead to both a burning and a rotten egg smell. High engine load can burn up and expel those compounds and restore its effectiveness.

Sulfur compounds build up on the washcoat during the low temp warm up cycle. Heavy acceleration and high loads elevate exhaust temperature to help burn them off. A healthy dose of the right pedal on occasion keeps catalytic converters happy.

Is this true? Is this common knowledge? I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about cars, but I've never heard this. In fact, I've noticed this smell from other cars and assumed it was "bad", so I kind of try to drive like a gradpa to avoid the rotten egg "bad" smell.

 

[epjfsa]

Is this true? Is this common knowledge? I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about cars, but I've never heard this. In fact, I've noticed this smell from other cars and assumed it was "bad", so I kind of try to drive like a gradpa to avoid the rotten egg "bad" smell.

Yes it is! This is why the Tier 3 fuel sulfur standard reduces other criteria emissions even for existing vehicles. I'm not confident on the exact processes that cause the rotten egg smell, it may also be a byproduct of normal combustion now-a-days?