Burning Smell from Engine

[luke_vs]

G'Day,

I have recently encountered a burning smell coming from the engine area of my vs commodore. Have checked the oil and it is good. Having lifted the engine cover I have noticed they are pretty greasy around the top sides of the engine. Have been told a while ago from my mechanic that the rocker gaskets will need replacing soon and was wondering if that is the cause of the smell. Another mechanic told me it could be a leaking manifold and another told me it could be a leaking thermostat.

Basically, wondering if anybody knows what is the most likely problem here. Thanks in advance.

 

[hako]

It will usually be something either touching or leaking onto the exhaust manifolds as they are the only bit of the engine hot enough to smoke anything. My guess would be the rocker cover gaskets leaking and reaching the exhaust manifolds and then smoking.

 

[manual crazy]

does this only happen when you thrash you vs ?

 

[mking]

haha got the same problem when i give it a bit then come to a stop bit of smoke aswell?

 

[Benboy]

Guess you really need to be able to identify what type of smell it is. Rubber, oil, plastic, electrical or perhaps insulation. Once you've figured that out then you can probably track down the source.

 

[greenacc]

Probably oil from the rocker covers running down onto the exhaust. Have a look at the exhaust manifolds and rocker covers for oil leaks. It could also be underneath if your tranny leaks fluid onto the exhaust like mine has done..

 

[luke_vs]

The smell comes usually after I drive it for more than 20 minutes, irrespective of whether I thrash it or not. I haven't noticed smoke, although if I do tramp it get a bit of extra smoke out of exhaust.

Regarding the smell, I initially thought it was coolant smell because my mechanic recently mentioned that the thermostat housing was leaking as there are coolant stains on the outside of it. Could be oil too, I'm no professional. Smells like hot engine X 10.

I was getting the smell in the cabin too, until i closed the air condition vents, now the smell is just outside/around the bonnet.

I took the car to another mechanic today and he asked me to come back tomorrow where he will hoist it and have a look under the car (suspecting - "tranny leaks fluid onto the exhaust"). Will let you know how it goes.

Alot of the problem described here are, "common problems", I guess what I am after is what is the most likely common problem here (216,000km on the clock), as I would really like to tell the mechanic, fix/repair this rather than letting them decide to take me round the long way like they have in the past.

 

[luke_vs]

FYI - had the car hoisted today at the mechanics, the transmission housing and transmission oil cooler hoses were leaking down to the exhaust. Mechanic was adamant that was the problem. Had it fixed for $250. Will see how it goes.

Thanks for your responses, much appreciated.

 

[pnk_rck]

mate i had the same thing with my VR ..it was just a leak in the tappet cover gaskets spraying back onto the manifold. upper gasket kit = $50 ..problem solved.

 

[Emackulation]

FYI - had the car hoisted today at the mechanics, the transmission housing and transmission oil cooler hoses were leaking down to the exhaust. Mechanic was adamant that was the problem. Had it fixed for $250. Will see how it goes.

Thanks for your responses, much appreciated.

I know that smell, not plesent. Good thing u got it fixed because tranny fluid is flamable.