Any ideas as to why there is a smell like burning rubber coming from the engine area of my 2001 nissan sentra?

Question

the smell only occurs about every other time i drive

Answer 1

you probably have a small oil leak from the valve cover dripping on the exhaust manifold. burning motor oil and burning rubber smell similar. look over the exhaust system to make sure no hoses or wiring has fallen down and made contact with it just in case, but i think you will find the oil leak is the culprit. when the engine is cold, spray some gunk engine cleaner on the exhaust manifold, rinse it with a hose, and see if it goes away for a while,

Answer 2

Your gear 4 must be our gear 1. Like the First gear you put the car into in order to move from a still position. because there is no way you can keep the engine running in our 4th gear at 10Km (it would sound and feel like you were riding a percussion hammer that they use to break up the roads or rocks.(we call it a Jackhammer) Just so we understand each other and are talking about the same thing. 10km is no worry. My own Honda gets 15-25 Km before I shift to the second gear. ( In some cars I have been to 60Km before shifting from first gear to the next) 60 is high, but car lives through it. If it is rubber, it might be because your heater is working. You are protected from the engine by sheets of steel (a firewall, and hood and a windscreen of solid glass). Basically the engine is in a capsule of metal, and you are in a capsule of metal & glass. Show me where "stink" is stronger. Don't worry about the revs. You "can under drive" the car...and by your description of your driving style, that is exactly what you are doing. That makes your car "worse" than that of a young Hotrodder who races down the road. There is "too high a rev" don't get me wrong... but there is "too low as well" Getting a car from a granny type driver is the worst thing. That engine needs to be overhauled as the engine bearings have been "pounded" oval from lugging the car. Drive an automatic as it will shift for you and keep the engine healthy. Rubber smells and a host of other odors are normal for the engine compartment.. And the engine sound you want to hear is similar to a sewing machine at high speed. Then you know you are in the right gear.

Answer 3

Hi Jillian:
This is just a guess but there is probably something getting against the manifold on your car.I would check the wires and hoses around the manifold,that area gets very hot.The manifold is located on the side of the engine where the exhaust comes out...Hope you find the problem....

Tony

Answer 4

u shld check n c whether u hv sufficient water... cos i once used up the water while reving the engine on sandy ground and i smelt the burning rubber smell then the day after, the engine died...

Answer 5

have you checked the belt, it could be rubbing on something or slipping on a pulley. also look around the battery to make sure there isnt anything shorting out and melting the plastic or rubber around it.

Answer 6

there could be some thing on your engine exhaust or you could be in need of a new belt or you could have a pulley bearing going bad causing drag on the belt.

Answer 7

You have some wires that are being burned or melting due to heat or short in your wiring harness. Please get that checked before something really does go wrong like an engine fire.

Answer 8

I ALSO HAVE A NISSAN THEY ARE GOOD CAR CHECK YOUR FAN BELT THEY MADE NEED TO BE CHANGE

Answer 9

you need belts-FAST! Or worse, your pulleys and tensioner is/are frozen.

Answer 10

Have you had your belts checked?