My diesel car's exhaust smells like burning rubber!

Flyer · 19th July 2018, 22:44

Hi Bhpians,

I am experiencing this with my car recently. The exhaust of my A3 TDI smells like burning rubber. The smell starts from few minutes after I start the car and is present throughout till I switch off the engine. The smell is present even if the engine is hot or cold. I'm sure the smell is coming from the exhaust itself and not from any other parts of the car.

Does anyone face similar issue in your diesel car? What could be the reason for this? Please give your expert opinions.

Note to Mods: I couldn't find any thread on this issue. Please merge if any thread exists already. Thank you.

Chethan B G · 19th July 2018, 23:31

If you are sure that the exhaust is smelling, please check oil level. Synthetic oil when burnt can smell like rubber. Has the oil level dipped?

Get all fluid levels checked. Preferably get an inspection service done. All the best!

Flyer · 19th July 2018, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

If you are sure that the exhaust is smelling, please check oil level. Synthetic oil when burnt can smell like rubber. Has the oil level dipped?

Get all fluid levels checked. Preferably get an inspection service done. All the best!

Thanks. The oil level is looking good. Oil change is due in another 2000 kms. But I'm anyway taking the car for service next week. I wanted to know what could be the issue before I visit the service station.

Jaggu · 20th July 2018, 10:57

Hope there are no changes in the fuel you are using in the car?

Get it checked, smell at exhaust can be oil or coolant burning. Another reason can be a bad cat con or similar getting blocked.

Flyer · 20th July 2018, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Another reason can be a bad cat con or similar getting blocked.

Ok.. So recently my car had to do some water wading, thanks to heavy monsoons in Kerala. And I think water might have got into the exhaust pipes. Could this be the reason?

Chethan B G · 20th July 2018, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyer

Ok.. So recently my car had to do some water wading, thanks to heavy monsoons in Kerala. And I think water might have got into the exhaust pipes. Could this be the reason?

Was the level of water too high, over 3/4 feet? Water entry through exhaust can happen if the engine stalls in a pool of water submerging the exhaust and if the engine is cranked. Otherwise, due to positive pressure in the exhaust line, the chances are less.

IMO, it can be more due to oil or the coolant. Is the coolant level alright?

Flyer · 20th July 2018, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

Was the level of water too high, over 3/4 feet? Water entry through exhaust can happen if the engine stalls in a pool of water submerging the exhaust and if the engine is cranked. Otherwise, due to positive pressure in the exhaust line, the chances are less.

IMO, it can be more due to oil or the coolant. Is the coolant level alright?

Water level was like about 3 feet. But the engine was not cranked or stalled in water. I checked all fluids. Everything looks fine including coolant.

Chethan B G · 20th July 2018, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyer

Water level was like about 3 feet. But the engine was not cranked or stalled in water. I checked all fluids. Everything looks fine including coolant.

3 feet!!!

At that height, water can enter through the air-intake; very dangerous. Most sedans should not be driven through water level higher than 10-11 inches.

Better take it to the service centre immediately. Please don't drive the car if you feel anything abnormal.

All the best!

Jaggu · 20th July 2018, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyer

Ok.. So recently my car had to do some water wading, thanks to heavy monsoons in Kerala. And I think water might have got into the exhaust pipes. Could this be the reason?

You caught your culprit. I guess its the water that has gotten inside the exhaust. Did water get inside the car?

Flyer · 20th July 2018, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

3 feet!!!

Sorry! Typo. I meant 3/4 ft. Water didn't enter the car. Water level wasn't as high to enter through air intake. Half of the tyre was under water. It was about that high.

But that height is good enough for water to enter through exhaust pipe.

Flyer · 1st August 2018, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

Get all fluid levels checked. Preferably get an inspection service done. All the best!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Hope there are no changes in the fuel you are using in the car?

Checked the car at the dealership. The service advisor said there are no particular issues with the car. The burning smell was very mild while the car was at the service station. So they claimed this smell is normal. The SA suggested that the burning smell might have occurred due to contaminated fuel. Could this be the problem?

I always make sure to refuel from good and trustworthy fuel pumps. Anyway I will check for changes after my next refuel.

Jaggu · 1st August 2018, 15:34

If it is minor do not bother too much, especially since any other symptoms are ruled out. For fuel stick to COCO pumps and located at higher places where chances of water loging is minimal, especially since its raining cats and dogs out there.

StarrySky · 1st August 2018, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyer

I am experiencing this with my car recently. The exhaust of my A3 TDI smells like burning rubber.

Does your car have a DPF? If yes, the burning rubber smell could be due to DPF regeneration.

Flyer · 1st August 2018, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarrySky

Does your car have a DPF? If yes, the burning rubber smell could be due to DPF regeneration.

There is no DPF in my car.

a4anurag · 1st August 2018, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyer

There is no DPF in my car.

Have you checked underneath the car?

May be the exhaust system holder (rubber mount) is damaged?

19th July 2018, 22:44	#1
Flyer BHPian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: KL 02 Posts: 557 Thanked: 1,388 Times View My Garage	My diesel car's exhaust smells like burning rubber! Hi Bhpians, I am experiencing this with my car recently. The exhaust of my A3 TDI smells like burning rubber. The smell starts from few minutes after I start the car and is present throughout till I switch off the engine. The smell is present even if the engine is hot or cold. I'm sure the smell is coming from the exhaust itself and not from any other parts of the car. Does anyone face similar issue in your diesel car? What could be the reason for this? Please give your expert opinions. Note to Mods: I couldn't find any thread on this issue. Please merge if any thread exists already. Thank you.
	() Thanks

19th July 2018, 23:31	#2
Chethan B G Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,657 Thanked: 2,057 Times View My Garage	Re: My diesel car's exhaust smells like burning rubber! If you are sure that the exhaust is smelling, please check oil level. Synthetic oil when burnt can smell like rubber. Has the oil level dipped? Get all fluid levels checked. Preferably get an inspection service done. All the best!
	(1) Thanks

20th July 2018, 10:57	#4
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Re: My diesel car's exhaust smells like burning rubber! Hope there are no changes in the fuel you are using in the car? Get it checked, smell at exhaust can be oil or coolant burning. Another reason can be a bad cat con or similar getting blocked.
	(1) Thanks

1st August 2018, 15:34	#12
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Re: My diesel car's exhaust smells like burning rubber! If it is minor do not bother too much, especially since any other symptoms are ruled out. For fuel stick to COCO pumps and located at higher places where chances of water loging is minimal, especially since its raining cats and dogs out there.
	(1) Thanks