rob-2 Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 When I run the car in stage 1 (cobb) for a bit, drive the car hard and than slow down I get a burning smell in the cabin. Not overly powerful a smell, but it's there. It's not brakes or rubber. It smells almost plastic like, with a tad oil smell. I initially thought my engine bay was dirty, so I washed it down but no luck. I've checked for oil leaks and nothing. I suspect my turbo is getting very hot and throwing off a smell, yet as a closed system that doesn't seem reasonable. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doobaruGT Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 CV boot throwing grease on the DP? just a guess. I have a similar issue and need to take a look under the car. Updated parts list since original part-out here. Original Full part-out of my LGT HERE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob-2 Posted December 3, 2012 Author Share Posted December 3, 2012 CV boot throwing grease on the DP? just a guess. I have a similar issue and need to take a look under the car. I don't see any grease. I had that CV boot/axle replaced in August for this very issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doobaruGT Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 How many miles? I'm really curious to see what your issue is. Updated parts list since original part-out here. Original Full part-out of my LGT HERE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burba88 Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 i too just experienced this smell today after i was running it hard on highway then got home... KMT Tuned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 May be your finally driving the car hard enough to get all the crap burned off the pipes and out of the cylinders. How often did the engine see redline before ? Mine see it every few day's. If not a few times a day. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob-2 Posted December 3, 2012 Author Share Posted December 3, 2012 How many miles? I'm really curious to see what your issue is. 87K May be your finally driving the car hard enough to get all the crap burned off the pipes and out of the cylinders. How often did the engine see redline before ? Mine see it every few day's. If not a few times a day. Not sure. The x-wife drove it for the first 26K we had the car. Bought at 60k now at 87K. About 1 k ago I cobb'd it. Toasted the stock brakes two weekends ago in the mountain. I'm used to driving a better car. Between cobbing it and the smoking of the brakes the smell has stayed. It's directly linked to teh stage 1. On eco mode I cannot get the car to smell. Driving it lighter this last week and no smell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMLegacy Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Check near the turbo if the breather hose is leaking any oil. Did you do an oil change recently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJ25subie05 Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 its normal at least it was for my old lgt at stage 2 and both of my buddies wrx. ones a 2006 and the other a 2012 they both get a smell inside after running it hard. if you would drive behind them and they get on it, its only a matter of seconds before that subie smell enters your cab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMLegacy Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 So what exactly is that smell? Cause I'm smelling it too. lol. It's only noticeable when you pop the hood or inside the car. The exhaust pipe doesn't smell that way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I'm still thinking it's all the crap getting hot. My wagon doesn't have any smells when I drive it hard, because it's used to it. Engine saw redline 3 times yesterday on the drive home from work. Drove it to VT and back over the weekend again, no smells. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJ25subie05 Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 i agree, its just stuff that doesn't get burned out because you or previous owner drove car to lightly or it sat for a while. my spec b doesn't smell any more and i run it hard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burba88 Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Must just be the scooby smell KMT Tuned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob-2 Posted December 5, 2012 Author Share Posted December 5, 2012 its normal at least it was for my old lgt at stage 2 and both of my buddies wrx. ones a 2006 and the other a 2012 they both get a smell inside after running it hard. if you would drive behind them and they get on it, its only a matter of seconds before that subie smell enters your cab What is the smell coming from though? It's concerning, nothing should be 'burning' while driven. So what exactly is that smell? Cause I'm smelling it too. lol. It's only noticeable when you pop the hood or inside the car. The exhaust pipe doesn't smell that way I'm trying to figure this out. I am almost suspecting something plastic is cheap and not safe for the heat. Debating removing the engine cover. Remember Subaru is a tractor company first. I'm still thinking it's all the crap getting hot. My wagon doesn't have any smells when I drive it hard, because it's used to it. Engine saw redline 3 times yesterday on the drive home from work. Drove it to VT and back over the weekend again, no smells. I guess it's important to note 3 redlines wouldn't be considered hard for me. When I mean hard. I mean sitting above 4K, in and out of boost, high g load (limit of suspension & tires) on some of the twistiest back roads. Heavy braking, and driving it 4-5th/10ths. Cutting the proper line, not just following the road. 2-3 times the posted limit. And before every one gets pissed, if you were out here you'd go 3-5 hours before you saw another car. These are 'those' deserted Southern Nevada roads you see on all the TV shows. On the track in the sports car I'd drive as hard is 8/10ths. So at 4-5/10ths it shouldn't be anywhere near enough 'heat' to cause problems. Keep in mind I'll have the Honda sitting between 6-8k all day. Not a single smell beyond toasty brakes and rubber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
700watts Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 If it's not the cv boot, it's the “half shaft” meaning the part that connects the rear drive shaft to the tranny leaking trans fluid on to the exhaust if you have manual. Not sure about the auto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
O.C.D. Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 All of my Subarus smell like that, lol. Hell even my '80 Brat smells like that. I thought that was a factory option - the "I had fun with you Subie" smell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob-2 Posted December 5, 2012 Author Share Posted December 5, 2012 All of my Subarus smell like that, lol. Hell even my '80 Brat smells like that. I thought that was a factory option - the "I had fun with you Subie" smell. If there is nothing to worry about, I'm fine with it. However I suspect something is burning or a grease is underspec'd for temps. Both would be bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 FWIW, neither of my cars have the engine cover. So it sounds like you know your way around the car. If you've checked it over and under and don't see anything that looks like its burning. Just drive it. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FJuan Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 Leaking Valve cover, leaky intercooler would also cause this. My wife's balls are delicious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doobaruGT Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 FWIW, I was just as concerned as you and very skeptical of the "subie smell", thinking cars shouldn't smell like they're burning regardless. However, I ran my car reasonably hard (no red lines but heavy load accel, corner g's and braking) two days ago on a long drive home and whaduyaknow....the burning smell is gone. I can't explain it but it is no more. maybe these guys are right. I have to do IM gaskets and an oil change this Saturday so I'll let you know if I come across anything suspicious. Updated parts list since original part-out here. Original Full part-out of my LGT HERE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMLegacy Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 For my leak it was the valve body and cam angle sensor gasket.. I got that repaired on thursday last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzy_ Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 I know you say burning smell but still, check also steering pump for leaks. Friend of mine has an 05 gt and it turned out to be that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob-2 Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 FWIW, I was just as concerned as you and very skeptical of the "subie smell", thinking cars shouldn't smell like they're burning regardless. However, I ran my car reasonably hard (no red lines but heavy load accel, corner g's and braking) two days ago on a long drive home and whaduyaknow....the burning smell is gone. I can't explain it but it is no more. maybe these guys are right. I have to do IM gaskets and an oil change this Saturday so I'll let you know if I come across anything suspicious. Did you come across anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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