Jun 15, 2015, 04:32 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
Browse all: Engine Diagnostics
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Why is there Burning smell Coming out of My Car?
Guide to diagnose trouble and recommended solutions
Browse all: Engine Diagnostics
Smells like something burning
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
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.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
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.
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 165
Likes: 4
2005 CLK 320
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.
This most often happens after brake pads are replaced, though.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: ATX
2004 CLK 320, 07 Yukon SLT, 05 R6raven
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.
This most often happens after brake pads are replaced, though.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 165
Likes: 4
2005 CLK 320
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.
Perhaps after a few miles the high spots on the rotor are enough to push the caliper back in ??? Just a guess.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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!
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!
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; May 18, 2012 at 08:52 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
06 C320
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
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
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
500CLK 2005
Oil leak burning smell
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
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
Banned
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 285
Likes: 2
From: \
/
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'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.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
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.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 576
Likes: 28
From: chicago
Firemist O5 CLK55 Cab Silver 05 CLK55 Coupe Tanzanite 06 CLK500 Coupe
smells after going up hill
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...
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...
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 576
Likes: 28
From: chicago
Firemist O5 CLK55 Cab Silver 05 CLK55 Coupe Tanzanite 06 CLK500 Coupe
i considered a leak
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
my naive guess would be where the exhaust pipe bolts up and I can try tightening the collar
