Smell of Burnt Rubber Hose

[loystock]

Looks like my engine is running hotter than normal. It's a 97Q with 101K miles in it and better than average maintenance. Except for that smell of burnt rubber hose, everything about the car is normal - no CEL/SES, acceleration and shifting are smooth - no misfiring, coolant temp starts low and gradually rises to normal temp and stays there(less than half of full scale), coolant level is normal, coolant recovery tank level remains unchanged, and coolant hoses looks and feels good. I flushed the coolant from the radiator last weekend then ran the engine for an extended period but can't find anything that's overheating. Today, when I got home from work, I can smell it again - it's more like the rubber hose with a whiff of coolant.

I'm going to buy parts from Joe (IoS) - radiator caps, thermostat and rubber hoses. I'm open to any suggestion before I place the order.

Regards,Rod

[maxnix]

Valve cover gaskets (and all other IAC, TB and EGR and maybe upper and lower plenum gaskets).

I bet if you look below the intake plumbing on the driver's side your valve cover is leaking. Good time for plugs also. Joe has a killer deal on M1 oil filters and OEM cabin filters.

[loystock]

Thanks, Brian. Plugs were changed 10,00 miles ago. I still have a bunch of Mobil and Nissan oil filters, Nissan air filters, fuel filters and cabin filters sitting in the garage.

I checked the undercarriage before I flushed the coolant. Maybe I missed it so I'll check again.

Rod

[maxnix]

Reach down or check under the palstic intake that leads to the TB. If you have grease, chances are good it's the VC.