Burning Smell

89ToyotaTruck · 11-28-2007, 05:56 PM

I have an 89 Toyota Xcab V6 4X4. Occasionally I smell something burning when I'm at a stop. Could it be an exhaust leak? Or oil leak burning on the hot engine or exhaust?? I examined the engine and the underside but didn't see any smoke. Thanks for any advice.

75K30 · 11-28-2007, 08:06 PM

Probably not an exhaust leak, this would be pretty noticeable. Those can get pretty noisy, and small ones sound like a "tap", or "tick", but no real burning smells.
On the subject of burning, valve covers can often leak just enough to cause a smell and never really smoke. Might look at your oil consumption to verify.
May also climb under the truck to see if anything is stuck to the exhaust somewhere. I ran over a plastic bag once and it melted to the converter. Man that thing smelled for weeks.
Anyway, what does the smell actually smell like?

crabtruck · 11-29-2007, 05:23 AM

Does this happen when you have the heater or defroster on?
Can you smell it at the exhaust pipe?
Can you smell it more with your nose near the engine ?
Is the smell stronger near your wheels ?
Won't ask if you have any pictures of the smell...

scottie · 11-29-2007, 12:11 PM

i woud say that 75k30 has the most likely suggestion with the leaky valve cover, especially with a truck that is 18 years old. parts loosen up and oil can seep out... the valve covers being right above the exhaust manifold.

89ToyotaTruck · 11-30-2007, 02:05 PM

Thanks for all of your reponses.

I did check under the truck and didn't see any obvious melting/burning debri. After driving the truck, I do hear the a ticking noise coming from the hot exhaust system. Not sure if it's the actual exhaust system contracting as it cools, or if its small drops of oil hitting the hot pipes. I do also smell the buring smell inside the cab once in a while.

It must be the valve gaskets.......again. I have owned this truck for almost 19 years (175K) and have replaced the valve gaskets two times. Not a cheap job. I do have an oil leak and have to top it off with 1/2 to one quart every 2 to 3 months. Would one of those "stop oil Leak" bottles work?? Any way to power wash the oil build up and live with the minor leak?? If I do replace the gaskets............is ther a better after market one to prevent this from happening. I'm hoping to keep this guy for another 175K

Thanks again.

Graderman · 11-30-2007, 04:25 PM

I have tried those bottles of stop leak a couple of times in the past but I never had any luck with them. They never stopped a leak under the hood but did cause a small leak in my wallet. Also I was worried about what they would plug up inside.

01Cummins · 12-14-2007, 04:04 PM

lucas oil is good stuff, dont know if its gonna stop your oil leak but its good stuff to put in there anyway, i got friends and mechanics i know that really like the stuff alot because it really stays on your bearings and what not and keeps it all lubed up good.

11-28-2007, 05:56 PM	#1
89ToyotaTruck Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 4	Burning Smell I have an 89 Toyota Xcab V6 4X4. Occasionally I smell something burning when I'm at a stop. Could it be an exhaust leak? Or oil leak burning on the hot engine or exhaust?? I examined the engine and the underside but didn't see any smoke. Thanks for any advice.

11-29-2007, 12:11 PM	#4
scottie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Florida (Palm Beach), originally from south of BOSTON Posts: 644	i woud say that 75k30 has the most likely suggestion with the leaky valve cover, especially with a truck that is 18 years old. parts loosen up and oil can seep out... the valve covers being right above the exhaust manifold. __________________ im a straight shooter with upper management written all over me

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11-28-2007, 08:06 PM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,554	Probably not an exhaust leak, this would be pretty noticeable. Those can get pretty noisy, and small ones sound like a "tap", or "tick", but no real burning smells. On the subject of burning, valve covers can often leak just enough to cause a smell and never really smoke. Might look at your oil consumption to verify. May also climb under the truck to see if anything is stuck to the exhaust somewhere. I ran over a plastic bag once and it melted to the converter. Man that thing smelled for weeks. Anyway, what does the smell actually smell like?

11-29-2007, 05:23 AM	#3
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,464	Does this happen when you have the heater or defroster on? Can you smell it at the exhaust pipe? Can you smell it more with your nose near the engine ? Is the smell stronger near your wheels ? Won't ask if you have any pictures of the smell...

11-30-2007, 02:05 PM	#5
89ToyotaTruck Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 4	Thanks for all of your reponses. I did check under the truck and didn't see any obvious melting/burning debri. After driving the truck, I do hear the a ticking noise coming from the hot exhaust system. Not sure if it's the actual exhaust system contracting as it cools, or if its small drops of oil hitting the hot pipes. I do also smell the buring smell inside the cab once in a while. It must be the valve gaskets.......again. I have owned this truck for almost 19 years (175K) and have replaced the valve gaskets two times. Not a cheap job. I do have an oil leak and have to top it off with 1/2 to one quart every 2 to 3 months. Would one of those "stop oil Leak" bottles work?? Any way to power wash the oil build up and live with the minor leak?? If I do replace the gaskets............is ther a better after market one to prevent this from happening. I'm hoping to keep this guy for another 175K Thanks again.

11-30-2007, 04:25 PM	#6
Graderman Full Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nanaimo BC Canada Posts: 25	I have tried those bottles of stop leak a couple of times in the past but I never had any luck with them. They never stopped a leak under the hood but did cause a small leak in my wallet. Also I was worried about what they would plug up inside.

12-14-2007, 04:04 PM	#7
01Cummins Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Texas Posts: 77	lucas oil is good stuff, dont know if its gonna stop your oil leak but its good stuff to put in there anyway, i got friends and mechanics i know that really like the stuff alot because it really stays on your bearings and what not and keeps it all lubed up good.