Burnt fluid smell

[kevinkay]

I have 140k on my 04. I notice a burnt fluid smell especially after a short trip, a smell like fluid being cooked on the hot engine. I don't see any evidence of leaks, and no more than usual oil consumption. I almost think it smells like transmission fluid more than oil as its a little more pungent/sweeter smell then when I spill oil on the engine durring a change and it gets cooked off. I dont see any smoke when i pop the hood after a drive and never smell it in the car. Anyone else have this issue and might know what to look for. THANKS!

[e30mpower]

Coolant leak? Check expansion tank and bleed screw. I can't tell you how many bleed screws my car has destroyed.

[kevinkay]

Thanks, I will check it out. I do top off the coolent every couple of months, just about a couple of oz. - was figuring I was overfilling and it steamed off.
since my post i has learned we can't even check the transmission fluid level and that we will get a light if there is an issue.

I have to look up were the bleed screw is, I am assuming it would have an O ring that might need replacement, maybe a leak there that steams away before I see it..thanks

[zeit00]

Leaking valve covers? Just enough to smell funky. Longer trips would cook off more of a residue. Wild guess.

[zeit00]

Coolant would have a sweet smell... even when hitting hot engine, or exhaust.

[jc1surf]

Originally Posted by zeit00

Leaking valve covers? Just enough to smell funky. Longer trips would cook off more of a residue. Wild guess.

i have been experiencing that burnt smell for a while now. it was oil leaking from the VCG and oil filter housing. aprox 6 months to present, that's when I noticed the burnt smell after every trip.

It can be the oil leaking into the valve cover gasket burning off onto manifold and burnt off before you catch an eye on it. No oil residue on the catch pan?
mine was burnt smell like rubber/plastic.

I'd recommend checking it out asap. i ignored mine for 6 months, now it causes smoke after i parked due to the oil leaking and burnt off.
The X is getting worked on now, so hope no more leaks and spotted driveway.