Hmmmmm, burning smell from Air Vents.

[gloa2000]

Anyone experienced it? so far all my dealer repair was,

1. Fuel pump2. Steering column

I am not sensitive person but i could definately smell it as soon as i turn on a/c or heat. I assume it is not from engine bay burning leakin engine oil since it does not smell bad when a/c is off and air vent is open to circulate.

anyone experienced this? Trip to dealer is the best thing to do?

[AWGD8]

Smell like a break dust? Or the typical break smell when the car is new?

[dividedhighw]

As you pointed out, the most common reason for this symptom is fluid leakage that's burning as the engine heats up. AFAIK, no other member has complained about this, nor have I experienced it.

I'd definitely have the dealer put it up on a hoist to check for fluid leaks.

Cheers,David

[gloa2000]

ty for fast reply guys, will definately help me find the problems, AWDG8, i dont think its a new car smell, i started to smell after 5 mos of ownership, never before... I guess its time to visit dealer again, anyways was planning to visit for weak hatch struts. its funny i cant smell nothing under the hood even though engine is warmed, but i can still smell it from ac vents and it gets worse if i turn on defrost. Is it me? or the AC? LoL!

[EXcitement]

I experienced a similiar smell in late November. Eventually, after no smoke and no obvious problems, I attributed it to the fact it was probably the first time I utilized the defrost setting while warming up my car and maybe this was some "off-gassing" caused by the application of heat to the previously unused duct work. Since then, it has not reoccurred.

[gloa2000]

I experienced a similiar smell in late November. Eventually, after no smoke and no obvious problems, I attributed it to the fact it was probably the first time I utilized the defrost setting while warming up my car and maybe this was some "off-gassing" caused by the application of heat to the previously unused duct work. Since then, it has not reoccurred.

thank you for sharing your experience with me EXcitement. I think i am getting used to the smell, I think the smell went away but my passengers smells it, they told me i should seriously go to dealer since the smell seems toxic. I have appointment with dealer next week so i will update.

[Riker2k]

Hi folks,

Wanted to chime in here as well since I too have noticed the smell. I find it most apparent when I first start the car in the morning. Didn't notice it until around late October, early November when it starts to get cold here (Ottawa, Canada).

I had my car in to the dealer yesterday for some CRAZY engine issue and mentioned the smell. The service manager and tech both said that they have had a lot of folks mention the smell since the 2007 models of pretty much the entire line came out. Their explanation was they said they are having to scrape large chunks of calcified salt off the exhaust systems when people bring cars in for service. They mentioned they felt it was because the city has been adding something to the road salt they've been using. They attribute the smell to the exhaust system heating the salt stuck to it... Hmmmm.

Have no idea whether that is true or not (and it sounds a little "special") but I will say that the 2007 G35 loaner that I have right now had exactly the same smell this morning when I started it. It smells more like heated plastic or electrical to me.

Obviously if people from warmer climates where there is no salted road possibility are having this issue then their story is bunk.

Anyone?

Riker2k

[dividedhighw]

I'm in Ottawa too but have had no funny smells.

I thought playing in a rock band for years was degrading my hearing but maybe my sense of smell is gone too!!!

Cheers,David

[gloa2000]

I thought playing in a rock band for years was degrading my hearing but maybe my sense of smell is gone too!!!

Cheers,David

what have you been sniffin? j/k

[AWGD8]

Guys, I also noticed that burning smell after driving my car for 20 mins. and

idle for 1 min. or 2 in the parking lot. Yes, there are lots of road salt here

too...

[gloa2000]

Yes, there are lots of road salt here

too...

Thing is It Does Not snow here where i live, and i smell it.

[cjre1]

Sounds like either you have a fluid leak or the belt is burning on something.