Notice today when parked I can smell like something getting too hot/burn smell. Normal ?? Almost like warm tire smell

 

I never smell anything burning unless it is - like an oil leak dripped from the valve covers onto the exhaust manifold, or a plastic bag under the car stuck to the tail pipe. If you smell it again, you need to find the source. It's not normal.

 

Hmmmm. I'll have to double check the valve covers and looking underneath

 

I now I have P0456 evaporative emission system leak detected. Could be it ?

 

Let's hope not - burning smell + gas leak = KABOOM! That error is often due to a loose gas cap, but it can also be due to a leak anywhere in the fuel system, including the filler hose, or the charcoal canister.

 

a seized brake caliper will give off a great burning smell. After taking the car for a decent run (with braking) feel each wheel in turn (or better yet use an IR detector). If one is hotter that the others, there's your problem.

This most often happens after brake pads are replaced, though.

 

Hmmm would this give me any vibes ?? I notice I get real bad vibes first thing in morning when crusing up too 50mph then seems too fade away over driving time. I notice the prevous owner thru some pads on.

 

Pure speculation here, but if one or more calipers were stuck enough to heat up pads and rotors, then your rotor(s) could be warped. The last thing you do when you park is push on the brakes. So if your caliper is stuck/sticking, the pad will stay tight against the warped rotor when you drive off, and you will feel the pulses.

Perhaps after a few miles the high spots on the rotor are enough to push the caliper back in ??? Just a guess.

 

Sort out that EECS warning. Cracked filler pipes were common around 2005.

Common sources of smells on M112/722.6 combo.

- Power steering banjo joint leak at rack getting fluid on exhaust or flexible pipe leak.
- Captive engine breather covers on camboxes leaking oil onto exhaust.
- Transmission Electrohydraulic pilot bush leaking fluid onto exhaust.
- Transmission cooler line Banjo joints leaking fluid onto the exhaust.
- Exhaust shield detached somewhere exposing underbody sealant.
- Fitment of any new exhaust component.
- Tyres touching fender linings.

Good luck!

 

Hi; There are plenty of causes of a burning smell but I recently had one that might be experienced by others. It fell into one of those hard to describe smells that is both burning oil and electrical. It went through all the usual causes with no success; mold, leaking exhaust, leaking oil, plastic bag on manifold etc... Mechanics couldn't find a problem. Some couldn't see a problem, but it made driving the car (06 C230) an unpleasant experience.
One day my dash alternator light came on, a replacement alternator was installed, and the smell vanished! It turns out, the bearing was over heating and the burning smell made its way into the cabin.
Hope this helps someone on the same hunt I went through.
Curiosity

 

I removed the engine cover and found the source of the burning smell.
I have an oil leak on what appears to be a valve cover. It is a small cover on top right side of the engine. It is a small leak that has been going into the exhaust manifold.
I guess I need a new gasket

 

Older thread, but why not breathe life back into it!
I've had the valve cover gaskets replaced twice and still get a few small drips of oil seeping out and dripping onto the exhaust heat shield, now only on the left side. Happens within the first several miles of starting the car, then it either stops or maybe another drop. I can tell when it happens if the wind is right and I'm stopped at a light...the smell gets sucked into the cabin air intake. It's an unusual smell, so I heated up a piece of metal and put a drop of Mobil 1 on it...that's the smell. Also, when I get home I pop the hood and check with a flashlight and sometimes I see a little wet spot on the heat shield.
My indy mechanic says he occasionally sees warped valve covers (not as many as on BMWs). He installs the gaskets dry. I asked about using a gasket compound but he doesn't like to do that... says he's seen issues with it. The guy is meticulous.
So, I get an occasional whiff of it, and someday I'll have him check it again. I don't do work like that myself because I am a klutz.

 

I had this problem on the kid's C240. I replaced the valve cover gaskets with the Victor Reinz aftermarket seals. I only used them because I was ordering some other stuff from autohausaz and it was convenient as that's the brand they carried. They aren't much less expensive - just a few dollars less - than OEM MBZ gaskets. Well, it still leaked! I heard lots of complaints about Victor Reinz gaskets on the forums, so I ordered genuine MBZ gaskets and replaced them. I compared the Reinz to MBZ and found they are smaller in cross-section diameter and that's that problem. With the MBZ gaskets, I've had no more leaks. They are installed "dry" - no sealant needed or recommended. Oh, and when you do this job, you need to remove and thoroughly clean the breather covers. A clogged breather can cause pressure to build up and then any gasket will leak. The breather covers uses black RTV as a sealant - no gaskets.

 

I'll have to check the breather covers. Thanks!

 

This is a strange one maybe someone has some insight into.
I get an awful something burning kind of smell, but pretty much only when I drive up a hill.
I replaced the filters, and there are no indications of any kind of leak.
It is my impression that is on the passenger side, and other than an impending alternator bearing failure I am pretty much at a loss on this one...

 

It could be an exhaust leak that only happens under load.

 

of course, but how exactly to diagnose?
my naive guess would be where the exhaust pipe bolts up and I can try tightening the collar

 

There are sniffers you can use, or, start the engine (cold) on a cold, humid morning and try to find it visually. Another thing is to look for the tell-tale signs of soot.