Burning smell from underneath?

[Kanndykisses]

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this type of thing, because it's new to my Cav. I've got a 96 2.2L with 158,000 kms and had the entire exhaust replaced from front to back last summer including catalytic converter, but that seems to be where the burning smell is coming from. It doesn't have to run for too long before I can smell it, usually starts about 2 minutes after startup. It's definitely not coming from the engine, but I can't find any exhaust leaks, either...the smell is right under the driver's door. Anyone have any ideas? It's driving me nuts, and it only started about two weeks ago.

[noshun]

Originally Posted by Kanndykisses

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this type of thing, because it's new to my Cav. I've got a 96 2.2L with 158,000 kms and had the entire exhaust replaced from front to back last summer including catalytic converter, but that seems to be where the burning smell is coming from. It doesn't have to run for too long before I can smell it, usually starts about 2 minutes after startup. It's definitely not coming from the engine, but I can't find any exhaust leaks, either...the smell is right under the driver's door. Anyone have any ideas? It's driving me nuts, and it only started about two weeks ago.

If your CAT was replaced then sometimes they are shipped sprayed with oil and this takes a little while to burn off!

[Kanndykisses]

Should it take that long, though? It was replaced last April, almost a year ago, and I just started noticing it lately. I'm hoping you're right, that it's only that simple!

[noshun]

Originally Posted by Kanndykisses

Should it take that long, though? It was replaced last April, almost a year ago, and I just started noticing it lately. I'm hoping you're right, that it's only that simple!

Oh if it's a year old then it may be melting something. Have you looked underneath to see if anything may have been picked up from the road surface and wrapped around your exhaust at all?

[Knifeblade]

One other slight possible, is if ya don't run it much, or only short-hop it, the converter can "build-up" deposits which burn off. I would strongly suggest a visual inspect of exhaust, though. Your symptom isn't being smelled from the tailpipe, though, right? If that is case, most likely some debris, or even a small leak from a power-steering hose or other fluid line spraying on to it. Also, 2 check your fuel line, they run rather close to exhaust, just for safety sake. In any case, get it on a hoist, and have a visual inspect done, for your safety!!!!!!!!!!

[Classicrocjunkie]

I'm going to go with noshun on this one. Its probably somthing on your exhuast pipe somewhere. I had that smell in early winter thinking it was some kind of smell comming from my heater. While in fact i found a piece of tape or somthing stuck onto the exhaust pipe just beind the flex pipe. Very strange and it looked like hockey players tape. Once removed the smell was gone.

[deadBird]

To check for leaking fluids, I'd suggest leaving it in a garage and placing cardboard/paper so you can see where it is coming from. Leave it sit for a while, and also run it so you have a better chance of finding it.

[noshun]

Except is whatever is burning is giving off noxious gasses! Then you can do it outside!