Burning smell after driving up steep hill.

[peter]

In the last couple weeks Iv given a friend rides while his car is broke down, and had to drive up a really steep hill to get to his relatives house. The first time I noticed this burning smell only after I was on my way down and assumed it was the brakes, even though I wasnt using them that much and the hill isnt very long. But tonight I was driving up there again and noticed this smell once I reached the top of the hill. Any ideas what it could be?

[98outbackpdx]

In the last couple weeks Iv given a friend rides while his car is broke down, and had to drive up a really steep hill to get to his relatives house. The first time I noticed this burning smell only after I was on my way down and assumed it was the brakes, even though I wasnt using them that much and the hill isnt very long. But tonight I was driving up there again and noticed this smell once I reached the top of the hill. Any ideas what it could be?
what street do you go down? if i down gear and use my brakes going down jefferson (between scenic and 14th) i will get that smell sometimes depending on my speed. you have to remember that the dalles is almost all up hill and almost all down hill. and using your brakes cause them to heat up going down a steep hill, and will cause that smell. don't quote me on that but i believe that might be your problem. when i upgraded to ceramic front pads the smell has just about gone away.

[peter]

It's not the brakes. Iv gone down jefferson alot and not had a problem. This only happens going up the super steep driveway. By the time I reach the top I can smell it

[mike-tracy]

My guess is a minor oil leak that only drips on the exhaust manifold when the nose of your car is in the air. Try putting cardboard under the front of the car and check for any drips in the morning.

[peter]

I'll have to try that. I have been noticing some oil spots on the road where I park but it could also be my brothers truck doing that.

[BG5guy]

Check your cam seal, those tend to puke which could be running down and burning off on the exhaust/headers

[ouch1011]

Because of the location of the stock exhaust, running right under the rear of the oil pan, whenever you have an oil leak (especially from the oil separator plate on the rear of the engine, very common) oil will drip right on the exhaust and stink. Another possibility, if it only really stinks once you hit the top of a very steep hill, the cat could be heating up and stinking (usually a rotten egg type smell, sulpher dioxide specifically) or could be causing oil to burn off the exhaust more rapidly.

If you have to drive up the hill again anytime soon, bring a flashlight with you, and once you get to the top, look under the car and shine the flash light on the exhaust near the engine and look for smoke. If you see smoke, you found your smell.

[STIll inspired]

check your drive belts for wear they may be slipping.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Do you drive a manual transmission or automatic? Could be the clutch slipping if it's time is almost up.

You'd probably notice any major slippage, but if it was doing it ever so slightly, you might not notice the extra revs up a hill.

Of course you could have an automatic...

[peter]

Yeah I'm stuck with a pos auto. I'm pretty sure its just an oil leak hitting the exhaust or something just haven't located it yet