It snowed today and i took my 2004 4wd sr5 4runner out today. I had it in 4wd High and drove it around down for a while in High. I did a little bit of playing in a church where i was just testing out the 4wd did one spin around in the snow. I came back to my hill turned around and noticed a burn smell. It almost smelled like a burnt electronic smell not so much fluid. I didn't see any smoke but i could smell it. It seem like it came on the left side of the engine bay. Would could be the smell? Could i have gotten something electronic wet? I really wasn't that hard on it i just did normal driving minus that one spin around in the parking lot.
Burning Smell on left side of engine
- Thread starter Smitsyoda
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Is this true?
New guy here with this stanky issue has been digging thru old posts.
Ive noticed this type of smell after climbing hills in cold (well below zero to the low 30s) weather. Seems to happen in icy conditions and I was thinking that maybe it was tires rubbing on wheel well ice buildup, but today conditions were dry packed ice with no ice buildup in the wheel wells at all. The approach to my house is a twisty 500 foot climb in about a mile. My question is this: If Acidmeld is correct and my front diff is overheating, why? Too much slip on icy corners? Seems like dry hot corners pulling a 2800 lb trailer up a 11,000 foot pass in July would produce excessive heat in a differential before cold slippery conditions would to me.
I've driven this vehicle (2004 Sport V8) year-round in these conditions for three years and never experienced this before this winter.
Brakes, hubs, and wheels are all running cool. I removed the wheels to check the brakes (no dust and even wear). I'm running valvoline 70-90 w with less than 10,000 miles in all three cases. Valve covers are tight. it's pretty messy here right for looking but I can't find anything that looks to be leaking elsewhere on the exhaust system.
Any thoughts?
Acidmeld
New member
The diff isn't overheating, just heating up. The op has a v6 which doesn't use the front diff and tcase unless in 4wd. Your v8 is always in 4wd. When he puts his in 4hi the front diff actually is engaged and starts building heat. Since yours is always engaged it's always venting and doesn't smell as strong as one that doesn't get used often. Especially if you have new fluids.
If yours is producing the smell in icy conditions then perhaps the traction control is engaging and you are smelling the abs actuator solenoids producing heat. Keep in mind that producing heat does not necessarily mean overheating.
If yours is producing the smell in icy conditions then perhaps the traction control is engaging and you are smelling the abs actuator solenoids producing heat. Keep in mind that producing heat does not necessarily mean overheating.
