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Burning smell

51K views 25 replies 9 participants last post by  demarpaint 
#1 ·
This past weekend I was riding around with the top and doors off as the daytime highs were unseasonably warm. As the sun went down and if cooled off, I got cold fast and cranked the heater while I was finishing my errands, probably about 45 minutes at full blast, which did a nice job of keeping me comfortable. When I got home and got out of the Jeep there was a strong burning smell coming from the engine, almost a burning clutch kind of smell (mine is an automatic). A quick inspection under the hood and I could not see anything smoking or anything sitting on or near hot stuff that did not belong. I wasn't doing anything fancy with the Jeep prior, not towing or offroading, just running errands around town. Anybody have any insight what was burning or where the smell was coming from? The only cause and effect I can imagine is the heater being on full blast for a while, but there was no smell inside the cabin. BTW, '08 JKU.

Thanks
 
#8 ·
Dirty cabin filter?

Just one other thought, does the Jeep have a cabin filter that is now dirty after a few years of use? That happened on a car of mine, and it was a "burning" smell.

Disclaimer: The car wasn't a jeep, and I'm not a bright mechanic. Just throwin' the idea out there. :hide:
 
#10 ·
carrotzilla said:
Mines new and has the same problem. Hopefully it will fix itself. After 1200 miles maybe something has to burn off. I've been driving for 30 years and work around armour so I know this isnt normal. If not Im going back to Toyota.
Op is a different situation plus his jeep is used.

In your case, there is a few threads concerning an exhaust smell like your describing.
 
#11 ·
No cabin filter on a 08 JK, besides, I only smelled it coming out from the engine bay, not actually in the cabin. I will try to duplicate the conditions and see if I can find a fluid leak that may be burning off one of the exhaust components.
 
#13 ·
I would relate it best to a burning clutch kind of smell. Metallic-earthy kind of funk. Certainly something burning. Not plastic and not really electric. No visible smoke, which was odd to me based on the strength of the odor.
 
#21 ·
I did it, 1000 miles ago. Again, the smell was only present after running the heater on high for an extended period of time. If the roof and doors were on the dashboard would likely have melted based on the strength of the heater.
 
#24 ·
If there are no leaks etc. which has already been mentioned check the brakes. If it smells like "burning clutch" and you have an automatic it might be a calpier starting to hang up, and you have "burning brakes". Sometimes a caliper might start to hang up and release driving you nuts. JMO
 
#25 ·
My jku has the same smell it started about 1000 mi. It now has 1650 mi. Now. 1 time you drive it you can smell clutch or brake smell and the next time you drive it nothing,mines a auto. I have checked the brake rotors & e-brake drums and are cool to the touch. I change oil at 800 mi. No leaks ,no puddles, no other signs.i hve not used the e-brake since the smell started thinking it was what was hanging up butt it still smells butt no smoke!!
 
#26 ·
I've had it happen to other vehicles, sometimes it's dragging slightly, not enough to smoke just enough to smell. Finding the problem can be a PITA. I pulled both front wheels, and properly greased all caliper and sliding areas that call for grease. Just be sure to use a ceramic grease for calipers. HTH
 
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