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Weird burning smell

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Old May 20, 2008 | 12:59 AM
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rockin_cj's Avatar
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From: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Weird burning smell

Ok so ever since I got the car its had some weird aroma to it. No I'm not talking the lovely burning oil smell of a brand new engine breaking in. After that wore off this one became a lot more apparent... I can only smell it when I have a window open, so it is coming from the engine, or something on the exterior of the car. Its not like a burning clutch, electronics, oil or engine smell or anything like that, its more of a sweeter smelling burning and I cannot figgure out what the hell it is. I took it to the dealership and they said its perfectly normal as all the coatings burn off but, the car has about 3500KM on it now, these odd funny smells should be gone by now right?

Just wondering if anyone had this same thing or has the faintest idea of what could be wrong.
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Old May 20, 2008 | 01:02 AM
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i had a weird smell under the car i couldnt identify.thought i ran over some roadkill or something like that.put the car on a hoist ...i found a plastic bag a drove over had wrapped itself and baked itself to my exhuast just after the resonator. was a bitch to remove to.good luck
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Old May 20, 2008 | 01:03 AM
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From: englewood ohio (not california)
how strong is the smell?
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Old May 20, 2008 | 08:59 AM
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From: Imlay City, Michigan
Coolant has that kind of sweet smell
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Old May 20, 2008 | 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted by 455rocket
Coolant has that kind of sweet smell
yep, sweet burning can be coolant. keep an eye on your coolant levels. or, it can be nothing. if anything, the car is under warranty so either way nothing to worry about.
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Old May 20, 2008 | 09:04 AM
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some times i have a rotten egg smell wtf is that
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Old May 20, 2008 | 09:05 AM
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From: North Jersey
Originally Posted by Chevy Cobalt 08
some times i have a rotten egg smell wtf is that
your cat. or, you farted
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Old May 20, 2008 | 09:43 AM
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hahaha

Originally Posted by D4u2s0t
your cat. or, you farted


I think that is just the catalytic converter doing what its supposed to do burning unused gas in the exhaust. It stinks like hell for some reason.
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Old May 20, 2008 | 09:59 AM
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Coblasts's Avatar
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From: Ontario,Canada
Coolant steam is the only thing that could smell that way that I know of.
Are you smelling it while your driving with the window down or parked and idling ?

Maybe its the wax from the car wash your smelling.
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Old May 20, 2008 | 11:15 PM
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From: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
The smell happens all the time, car parked or moving. It becomes more evident once I start moving, it gets bad on acceleration and then is about the same as idle while moving. I can tell you its not me wrecking the clutch because I had my dad who has driven stick for countless years try it and we still had the smell.

As for how strong, its strongish, its evident thats for sure, but bad once I accelerate.
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Old May 20, 2008 | 11:17 PM
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i will agree on this. burning coolant smells sweet
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Old May 21, 2008 | 09:15 AM
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From: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Excellent, glad to know chevy is maintaning a high standard when it comes to assembling their vehicles...
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Old May 21, 2008 | 10:09 AM
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For the first 5000 miles of my SS's life I had to go to the dealer once every 2 or 3 months because my coolant level was always low. They could not find the reason and they always topped me off. The car never ran bad, had a smell, or overheated and the problem is gone now. 22K miles and going stronger than ever.

Might be something that works itelf out as the car breaks in. If it gets worse I would def. have it looked at though.
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Old May 21, 2008 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 455rocket
Coolant has that kind of sweet smell
bump
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Old May 21, 2008 | 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Chevy Cobalt 08
some times i have a rotten egg smell wtf is that
your gf quiffed and didnt tell u...
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Old May 21, 2008 | 09:29 PM
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From: Minnesota
most likely coolant...someone or you didnt spill any anywhere right? also does it become more apparent when the car gets hotter (like idling)...and the smell becomes more apparent when you get on her? this all happens to my monte (totally different car but still GM made...lol) because of the fact my upper intake is fucked and i dont want to replace (waiting for it to blow up and then get a cobalt..)
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Old May 21, 2008 | 11:50 PM
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Originally Posted by D4u2s0t
your cat. or, you farted
no it wasn't me farting trust me

Originally Posted by kingg5
your gf quiffed and didnt tell u...
no lol i was by my self it happens occasionally thats not a burning clutch smell is it? (btw queefs don't smell it's just air that entered from the outside and being expelled back out it's not internal gas it's just air)
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Old May 22, 2008 | 12:27 PM
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It could also be that during certain rpm levels (during rough driving) your cylinder fuel/air mixture is too lean or too rich which could cause the cylinder to get too hot. This could cause your wires and coils to get warmer than usual and could give off and electrical smell, or it could even be coming from just the cylinders that are running hotter....early smells of possible engine failure if not recalibrated......been there done that. Also could be that you stock pressure plate is getting too hot and causing your clutch material to produce the odor as well. Hopefully this is not your issue but hope it can lead a different light on your subject
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