A decade ago, during a family vacation, we were driving along when my younger brother suddenly said he smelled something burning. At first, everyone ignored him, but then I caught the same scent and started to worry. My mind raced with thoughts of what could be wrong with the car, so we pulled over, fearing the worst.
We got out and checked around but couldn’t see anything obvious that might be causing the smell. Our holiday spirit took a hit, and we decided to head to the nearest auto repair shop our GPS suggested. When we got there, the repair guy took a quick look under the hood and found the issue: a rubber hose had come loose and was touching the hot engine, causing the burning rubber smell.
Common Causes Of Burning Rubber Smell In Car
When your car starts smelling like burning rubber, chances are it’s not due to a leaky exhaust. Here are some common reasons behind that troubling odor:
Leaking Coolant:
Your car’s cooling system is filled with hoses that can sometimes develop leaks. When coolant leaks onto hot engine components, it can create a burning rubber smell, especially noticeable after long trips. Additionally, if coolant leaks inside the engine, you might see white smoke from the exhaust. It’s crucial to top up your coolant and drive to a garage as soon as possible because a leaking radiator can lead to engine overheating and severe damage.
Leaking Engine Oil:
When engine oil leaks onto the hot exhaust pipe, it can emit a smell similar to burning rubber. Oil leaks can stem from worn seals or may occur after an oil change if there’s an overflow or the plug isn’t fitted correctly. Fixing oil leaks promptly is vital because driving with low oil can cause extensive engine damage.
Damaged Drive Belt:
The drive belt, also known as the serpentine or fan belt, is made of durable rubber and operates multiple parts of the car simultaneously. Under high tension, if it gets damaged or slips out of place, it can rub against other components, producing heat and a burning rubber smell. This belt drives many under-hood systems, like the water pump, alternator, and power steering pump. If any pulley becomes immovable, the belt might get tossed from the engine or worn down. Besides the smell, you might notice smoke and signs like overheating or a low battery. Drive belts typically need replacing every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
Slipping or Loose Serpentine Belt:
A loose serpentine belt can slip, generating heat and friction, which causes a burning rubber smell. If the belt is loose or misaligned, it can deteriorate quickly, creating that unpleasant odor. The belt tensioner, which keeps the serpentine belt at the correct tension, can also fail. When this happens, the extra friction and heat from the loose belt can cause the burning smell.
Out of Place Rubber Hoses:
Numerous rubber hoses in your engine can escape their fittings and come into contact with hot engine parts. When this happens, it can produce a burning smell. Overheating internal components can further break down these hoses and belts, releasing a strong, unpleasant odor.
Electrical Faults:
Electrical wiring in your car is coated in plastic, which emits a noxious smell when it burns. If there’s a short circuit or the wires get too hot, you might notice a scent similar to burning rubber. Electrical issues can also cause your car’s lights to flicker or appear overly dim or bright, indicating a problem.
Debris in the Engine:
Sometimes, debris from the road can get into the engine bay. Car engines run at high temperatures, so anything that doesn’t belong there is likely to burn and cause an unpleasant smell. If you can’t spot anything unusual under the hood, the burning smell might be due to one of the other issues mentioned.
Tyres:
If you accelerate quickly from a standstill, you might notice a burning rubber smell from your tires. However, during normal driving, tires shouldn’t produce any smell. If they do, they could be damaged, overloaded, misaligned, or overinflated. Bent suspension components can also cause misalignment and increased friction, leading to tire deterioration and that burning smell.
Air Conditioner Compressor Clutch:
The air conditioner compressor clutch, along with other components like brake pads and clutch discs, has friction surfaces that wear down over time. When these parts wear out, they can cause a burning smell. This odor is common and indicates that these sacrificial parts may need replacement.
Understanding these potential causes can help you identify the issue when your car smells like burning rubber and address it promptly to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
