What's up guys great forum you have here. I have a 2001 SR5 w/ 186K miles. Car is in excellent condition and has been taken care of since I got her new.

Noticed a burnt rubber (almost like smell of freshly laid asphalt) smell around same time CEL, VSC TRAC, and TRAC OFF indicators lit up. Took to mechanic and code P0303 and also random misfire code popped up. Did a compression test and found low (80ish) compression in 3rd cylinder.

The mechanic switched the coils and gave me a chemical to run through engine to break up the carbon. CEL lit up again in a day or so. Mechanic said likely needs a valve job, but do you guys think it could be something else?

The smell has gotten a bit better and the car drives perfect so I'm wondering if I should just keep driving it and not worry about it. What are your guys thoughts?

Thanks!

 

Do a leakdown test, see where the compression is going.

Could be a number of things, a leakdown would narrow the list down considerably.