I usually drive with my windows/sunroof open but occasionally the heat forces me to use the A/C. On the rare occasion when I'm on the highway and the road clears out in front of me (windows closed, A/C on) and I give it gas, I seem to get a slight smell of something burning for a second or two.

I've got 120k kms and I did a service about 15k ago. Fluids look good - antifreeze full, oil full and still looks clean, and I'm not losing any (knock on wood).

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Can you describe more what the burning smell is? Does it smell like a burning rubber, coolant, oil, etc?.. Maybe just take a peak under the hood and see if you can visually see anything out of the ordinary. Get under the car too.

 

Sorry I can't be more specific. Maybe rubber but very faint. I looked under the hood and didn't see anything. Also didn't smell anything when I first opened the hood. I have no way of getting under the car.

It doesn't happen under normal driving, nor when I gradually get up to speed - 110-120 kms. Only when I "stomp" on it. (Sometimes I just can't help myself ).

I'm almost due for another service but was hoping to wait for the full 20k kms (economics...).

 

I would guess the Crank Pulley...

Motor on!

 

haha stomping on it is the normal thing to do with these cars. They love it!

When you go in for your service I'd definitely get it checked out. That being said, JABowders made a great suggestion. Seems that a smell of burning rubber would probably be your crank pulley. This thread on NAM has some great info that may be of assistance. If you're inclined to check and replace before the service, here is a great crank pulley DIY replacement. The ATI super damper would be the best thing to replace it with as well. Let us know what you find and good luck!

 

Crank pulley on a non-s would be rare....
Guessing the crank position sensor might be leaking a bit of OIL...blowing back...making a stink..but not a rubber smell...

You don't need s lift to look under your car....
If you find a curb cut...just drive up on the curb, using the cut like a ramp...
Leaves an extra 5 inches to stick your head under the car and look....just use a side road or perking lot!!

 

And what should I look for? Oil leaks? I only park my car in two places and I always check both for stains when I park.

About 5 months ago I noticed stains in my parking spot (plus I was adding a small amount of oil every month) got me to the garage for service. But since then, as I wrote before, the oil looks clean and I haven't had to add a drop since.

I know diagnostics on a forum are pretty near impossible but thanks for the help.

 

I would look at 2 general areas...
Look around the oilpan...the cps is actually hidden, and above it, but it drips down...oil can be blown back...
Often mistaken for a leaking oilpan gasket....if money is tight, they are both "monitor" add oil as needed, and maybe someday fix if it gets too bad...
Other one is back by the PS COOLING fan area... Behind the pan...not cause it leaks there, but it tends to get blown or drip down there if the other common item, the oil filter housing gasket is leaking....
Do check your PS FLUID level, it is oily too...and the drips can be mistaken for motor oil.

Good luck...oil leaks on most cars are a fact of life...the old joke was "when the leaks stop, you are out", and was used on many airplanes years ago too!!
We have generally gotten spoiled with many Asian cars that tend to be dry and leakfree for most of their life....but much less (IMO) fun.