burnt Smell

datguydeni · 10-12-2008, 01:57 AM

Hey Hey,

5sfe 93, all stock, Almost 94k miles

The problem
Whenever i start up the car, i get this burnt smell. from the engine bay. Like i just lit a match.

If you need more details ask. Should i be concerned? or this normal

thanks
-Dennis

CyFi · 10-12-2008, 03:40 AM

I need more details, is there any smoke? where is the smell coming from specifically? Take a look at the starter wires and follow them/make sure they are all in good shape. Make sure all your grounds are clean and in place also.

datguydeni · 10-12-2008, 10:29 AM

theres no smoke that i know of other than white smoke at cold start from the muffler. could it be because of water????? it's been about 15-20k miles since i last changed the spark plugs.

Ben · 10-12-2008, 10:38 PM

Its probably a leaking valve cover gasket. Oil from the gasket leaks down on the exhaust manifold and burns off.

datguydeni · 10-13-2008, 02:12 AM

so i sniffed till i found the smoke smell, and it actually comes from the muffler. burnt smell from exhaust + white smoke from exhuast = water burning???? maybe?? just a theory

fuzor · 10-13-2008, 05:06 AM

DISLAMER: IM NOT A CERTIFIED MACHANIC.

burning oil, coolant, electric wires,or a dead chipmunk.they have diferent smell.
can't u more or less make the difference.? burning water has no smell.
burning coolant from the exhaust (white smoke) has a sweet smell!
hop this helps
.

Gairloch · 10-13-2008, 06:31 AM

Is the smoke only coming out for a short time after you start the car?

5sfe's are infamous for having leaky valve seals which results in some blue/whitish smoke coming from the exhaust for a few minutes when it's been started after sitting for a while. This isn't a major problem, just an annoyance. Make sure you check your oil every time you fuel up just to be safe.

Does it smell like burning oil? Perhaps rotten eggs?(plugged or missing catalytic converter.)

mr2greasemonkey · 10-13-2008, 12:40 PM

It's prob burning oil on start up.

Ben · 10-13-2008, 10:30 PM

If there is white smoke coming out of the exhaust and it smells sweet, I would go with a headgasket. If there is smoke/smell coming from the top of an exhaust pipe it could be oil or coolant.

datguydeni · 10-14-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gairloch

Is the smoke only coming out for a short time after you start the car?

5sfe's are infamous for having leaky valve seals which results in some blue/whitish smoke coming from the exhaust for a few minutes when it's been started after sitting for a while. This isn't a major problem, just an annoyance. Make sure you check your oil every time you fuel up just to be safe.

Does it smell like burning oil? Perhaps rotten eggs?(plugged or missing catalytic converter.)

^pretty much that lol. Goes away after a min min. always happens when i start it up in the morning

thanks to everyone who are helping me out with this

honda_bar · 10-14-2008, 08:19 PM

i have the same problem, as do most, no worries danny!

10-12-2008, 01:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
datguydeni Turquoise not Teal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 1,492 Thanks: 3 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	burnt Smell Hey Hey, 5sfe 93, all stock, Almost 94k miles The problem Whenever i start up the car, i get this burnt smell. from the engine bay. Like i just lit a match. If you need more details ask. Should i be concerned? or this normal thanks -Dennis

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10-12-2008, 03:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
CyFi Moved on Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,401 Thanks: 12 Thanked 38 Times in 35 Posts iTrader Rating: (11/100% )	I need more details, is there any smoke? where is the smell coming from specifically? Take a look at the starter wires and follow them/make sure they are all in good shape. Make sure all your grounds are clean and in place also.

10-12-2008, 10:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
datguydeni Turquoise not Teal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 1,492 Thanks: 3 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	theres no smoke that i know of other than white smoke at cold start from the muffler. could it be because of water????? it's been about 15-20k miles since i last changed the spark plugs.

10-12-2008, 10:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ben Same In The End Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oceanside, CA / Reno, NV Posts: 4,274 Thanks: 20 Thanked 309 Times in 284 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (16/100% )	Its probably a leaking valve cover gasket. Oil from the gasket leaks down on the exhaust manifold and burns off.

10-13-2008, 02:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
datguydeni Turquoise not Teal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 1,492 Thanks: 3 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	so i sniffed till i found the smoke smell, and it actually comes from the muffler. burnt smell from exhaust + white smoke from exhuast = water burning???? maybe?? just a theory

10-13-2008, 05:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
fuzor NO SKILLS??(check my car) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SOME WHERE Posts: 38 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	DISLAMER: IM NOT A CERTIFIED MACHANIC. burning oil, coolant, electric wires,or a dead chipmunk.they have diferent smell. can't u more or less make the difference.? burning water has no smell. burning coolant from the exhaust (white smoke) has a sweet smell! hop this helps .

10-13-2008, 06:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,313 Thanks: 139 Thanked 296 Times in 264 Posts Blog Entries: 4 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	Is the smoke only coming out for a short time after you start the car? 5sfe's are infamous for having leaky valve seals which results in some blue/whitish smoke coming from the exhaust for a few minutes when it's been started after sitting for a while. This isn't a major problem, just an annoyance. Make sure you check your oil every time you fuel up just to be safe. Does it smell like burning oil? Perhaps rotten eggs?(plugged or missing catalytic converter.)

10-13-2008, 12:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
mr2greasemonkey Once again....yups Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,658 Thanks: 4 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	It's prob burning oil on start up.

10-13-2008, 10:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ben Same In The End Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oceanside, CA / Reno, NV Posts: 4,274 Thanks: 20 Thanked 309 Times in 284 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (16/100% )	If there is white smoke coming out of the exhaust and it smells sweet, I would go with a headgasket. If there is smoke/smell coming from the top of an exhaust pipe it could be oil or coolant.

10-14-2008, 08:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
honda_bar aka Hardtop Colin Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 1,510 Thanks: 37 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	i have the same problem, as do most, no worries danny!