# Smell a burning smell but not all the time **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** spectra, kia\ **Created:** [November 16, 2017, 2:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/smell-a-burning-smell-but-not-all-the-time/109431 "2017-11-16T02:39:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sisaac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sisaac](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sisaac)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 2:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/smell-a-burning-smell-but-not-all-the-time/109431/1 "2017-11-16T02:39:32Z")
Recently I have started to notice a burning smell while driving my car. It could be while I am driving or stopped at a drive through. It doesn’t last the whole drive and it is not every time I drive. I haven’t noticed any leaks, car is not over heating and there is no engine light on. Sometimes it smells like burning rubber but sometimes it just smells like a burning smell. When I get a chance I get out to smell near the hood but don’t smell anything. Thoughts? Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 2:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/smell-a-burning-smell-but-not-all-the-time/109431/2 "2017-11-16T02:55:03Z")
Have the exhaust system inspected. Sometimes you’ll pick up some kind of road debris (plastic bag) that sticks to the exhaust system, and doesn’t smell until the exhaust reaches a certain temperature. Tester ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 3:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/smell-a-burning-smell-but-not-all-the-time/109431/3 "2017-11-16T03:49:49Z")
And the exhaust system might be faulty & heating up the floor from the underside and burning the carpet. Missing cat heat shield, etc. Did you ever hear something metal-like sound like it dropped off from the underside of the vehicle as you were driving? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/smell-a-burning-smell-but-not-all-the-time/109431/4 "2017-11-16T04:11:07Z")
Definitely agree with the exhaust system. Also have the brakes checked. If you have a slightly dragging brake you’ll also get a burning smell, often intermittently as you use your brakes repeatedly during normal driving. ---
**Author:** ![Sisaac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sisaac](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sisaac)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/smell-a-burning-smell-but-not-all-the-time/109431/5 "2017-11-16T04:21:08Z")
No, I never heard anything that sounded like something metal dropping off thankfully. Thanks for the input. It is appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/smell-a-burning-smell-but-not-all-the-time/109431/6 "2017-11-16T04:44:54Z")
Oil dripping onto a hot part like the exhaust manifold can do this. It doesn’t take much oil to make a noticeable smell, so you won’t necessarily notice the level going down. Pop the hood and look for any hints of smoke when this happens, possibly using a flashlight at different angles. ---
**Author:** ![COROLLAGUY1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/corollaguy1/32/7575_2.png) [@COROLLAGUY1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLAGUY1)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 10:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/smell-a-burning-smell-but-not-all-the-time/109431/7 "2017-11-16T10:19:31Z")
Was the engine bay cleaned recently? I had a strong burning smell lasting over 2 weeks after getting my engine cleaned.