Help me identify this phantom smell

[1985taylor1925]

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!

 

[Singtoe]

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.

 

[Baja Runner]

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

 

[1985taylor1925]

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!

 

[Nelsonmd]

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.

 

[Singtoe]

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?

 

[JonCor2577]

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

 

[ALBPM]

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...:toilet:

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!!!!


:happens:

 

[Baja Runner]

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

 

[1985taylor1925]

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?

 

[BigFishAllDay]

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

 

[1985taylor1925]

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

View attachment 62479

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

 

[shadow247]

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

View attachment 62479

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?

 

[athlon450]

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$#!

 

[Qyota]

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.

 

[1985taylor1925]

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$#!

How could you tell it was slipping, just by looking at the belt as the engine is reved?

 

[T4RWILL]

Ya my '97 runner actually smoked and smelled a bit right when I bought it but only when pulling into the drive way and coming to a stop. I assume the smoke was just being blown away while driving, and I was never stopped for long enough for it to accumulate. But a trip to the service center and some valve cover gaskets and the smoke and the smell was gone. I skimmed the post but did you ever get the valve cover checked? Good luck

 

[1985taylor1925]

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.

Ya my '97 runner actually smoked and smelled a bit right when I bought it but only when pulling into the drive way and coming to a stop. I assume the smoke was just being blown away while driving, and I was never stopped for long enough for it to accumulate. But a trip to the service center and some valve cover gaskets and the smoke and the smell was gone. I skimmed the post but did you ever get the valve cover checked? Good luck

I'll have to check again I guess. That would be kinda ridiculous as they were changed like 40k ago.

 

[808Runna]

I just got my '02 and the smell is annoying? I see no oil leaks since i have a very clean motor, but i guess i'll check the back bolts and those under the intake manifold. Is that hard to remove? or is there a simpler solution?

 

[Idahosr5]

Same deal here. Valve cover leaks, drivers side, right on the exhaust manifold. Smells like rubber sometimes. But....far far worse is the entire half gallon of milk my kid spilled in the back seat. Had to take the back seat apart and rinse out the foam.