What’s that smelly smell my truck makes?

[Chapap]

I have a smell and can’t determine where it’s coming from. I’ve smelled it before around other old cars. It’s seems exhausty but doesn’t smell like any kind of exhaust I’ve smelt. Kinda similarish to burning oil or rubber… but not. It’s almost a rancid, burning flesh smell. I can’t find where it’s coming from either. It’s like there are little pockets of the smell hanging all around the truck.

If you haven’t noticed, it’s hard to describe smells.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Smell kinda like rotten eggs?

 

[Chapap]

Smell kinda like rotten eggs?

No not like rotten eggs. If I smelled this in a kitchen I’d be more worried about some industrial cleaning chemicals mixing and killing everyone.

Note I don’t have a cat and supposedly have an intermittent rich problem so could be related

 

[RobbieD]

If you don't have a cat; then the mice die of old age, and smell?

 

[fastpakr]

Kind of an odd/sickly sweet smell?

 

[Chapap]

Kind of an odd/sickly sweet smell?

Nope. Closer to tire fire with rancid insulation smell. I keep wanting to say NOx, but I don’t know what that smells like.

 

[Dirtman]

I vote clam chowdah...

 

[vagabond80]

brakes? tires? belts?

 

[Chapap]

brakes? tires? belts?

hmmm. I have one drum brake that’s not replaced yet (drum is super STUCK). Could be a rusty brake pad smell? Power steering pump pulley had some play. Maybe burned, old PS fluid? Acc and timing Belt are new and still look fine.

 

[Dirt Squirt]

Trans. fluid, gear oil, clutch?

 

[Uncle Gump]

If you have no cats and a rich condition... they smell pretty bad. You would be surprised how much they clean up the emissions.

 

[sgtsandman]

hmmm. I have one drum brake that’s not replaced yet (drum is super STUCK). Could be a rusty brake pad smell? Power steering pump pulley had some play. Maybe burned, old PS fluid? Acc and timing Belt are new and still look fine.

To check the brake, try putting you hand on the wheel. If it’s hot, that’s the source. Do a quick touch at first to keep from getting burned.

 

[fastpakr]

To check the brake, try putting you hand on the wheel. If it’s hot, that’s the source. Do a quick touch at first to keep from getting burned.

Or a long touch if you want to imprint the lesson on your brain (and hand).

 

[onequerl]

Where did the smell come from?

 

[RangerNumber3]

It's called OLD Truck smell.