WI Girl

Background: 97 4runner LTD 160k owned for 13yrs 75%hwy use avg 19mpg


For quite a while I have had this burning rubber smell which seems to emanate from the drivers side engine area. Of course it smells like a belt so had those checked and its not that (had the belts proactively back in 2012). Shop couldn't really detect it but you smell it after it runs for a bit. You turn off the car and exit that side and you smell it.


I have it in the shop now and they are going to clean the engine and then run some colored something through to see if the can spot a leak in oil, which they feel is leaking and then catching on a pan and heating, causing the smell. Not real sure about that but will see. Anyone have this issue?


Additionally I have been getting the P0303 codes occasionally a couple times in the last year. Changed out plugs, wires, moved packs, etc. Not sure if its bad gas or what but throw some injector cleaner through and it seems to go away. Not sure if that is the issue or if I just have an issue that is progressively getting worse.


I really am trying to hold on to the truck since I have had it so long and haven't found anything I am willing to make a payment on. Would be nice to go over 200k and willing to do any reasonable efforts to get more life out of it. I recently test drove a new car and though I liked all the features, I think I can just update some things on this one and make it last. Thinking of adding a new radio, maybe black Plasti-dip the rims and gold emblems, and change out the console for the newer gen with the cup holders (broke one back and one front one already).


Any help would be soooo appreciated!!

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

I have found if it is indeed burning rubber .

The rubber exhaust hangers make that smell on my 4Runner.

The hangers get hot and start to burn.

The heat flows from the exhaust pipe to the bar stock going through the hanger.

WI Girl

Thanks will look into that. I got my car back and they degreased the engine and added the dye so will see in a week.

Thinking I have another rear axl seal leak as well. More $$. But also got it detailed and looks so good

rworegon

It's likely a oil leak that is burning off on the block, exhaust manifold, etc.

Valve cover gasket possibly.

Welcome to YT!

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

To me burning oil and burning rubber have completely different smells .

WI Girl

Well I guess we will see after a week if it is an oil leak.

I would agree that I really insisted it was a rubber smell. To me that's a totally different smell. So if it is rubber and definitely coming from drivers side of engine, what are possible things? They said the belts are in fine.