Burning smell coming from engine compartment

P2 · Jun 27, 2017

I drive a 2015 GT Premium with less than 30K miles on it. I just noticed this a few days ago. There is a burning smell coming from the engine compartment. Almost smells like burning rubber. At first, I thought it was coming from the front left wheel well/brakes, but now I'm thinking it is coming from the engine compartment. You notice it when the windows are down and you come to a stop light. All the gauges are fine and the engine temp gauge is in the normal range. No other indicators and the car's performance has not been impacted. Should I be concerned? Any ideas on what the issue is before I take it in to the dealer?

jasonstang · Jun 27, 2017

It's possible that you might have a leaky valve cover gasket or the bolts are not torqued down properly causing engine oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold.

P2 · Jun 27, 2017

Possible I suppose, But I'm not seeing any smoke...

Rambl3r · Jun 27, 2017

Plastic bag caught on some part of the exhaust?

jasonstang · Jun 27, 2017

P2 said:
Possible I suppose, But I'm not seeing any smoke...

It's not smoking but could be just slight drip.
Wait till engine is cool and feel around the gasket with your finger see if it's wet.

Souldriver · Jun 27, 2017

Check around the battery if you havent already

cbrookre · Jun 27, 2017

Mine was doing the same thing then started to smoke after a while. Look at the exhaust manifolds on either side of the engine, you should be able to see if something is dripping on one of them. Mine was a faulty PVC valve that was dripping oil at the back of the passenger side manifold and was a quick warranty fix.

EcoBoostang · Jun 28, 2017

Mine ended up being a leaking front cover that had creeped around to the turbo side and started to stink. Crap would get stuck in the residue and burn off. Warranty fix.

Tron · Jun 28, 2017

Check the driverside valve cover bolts. Mine had a burning smell with no smoke. Valve cover was leaking, 6 bolts were literally loose. Tightened them, cleaned away oil, seems to be good now.

Louieg58 · Jun 27, 2018

I am having the same issue. I don't notice the smell until I almost come to a stop and then it lasts for 10 seconds or so. I have noticed smoke coming from my front left wheel area when stopped too. I originally thought it was the hose that feeds the clutch from the brake reservoir as the hose was almost off the nipple and had some fluid when I moved it. I changed the hose to the steeda upgraded hose but am still having the smell/smoke issue from the front left of the car. I even took to the dealer and they told me it was the clutch feed line after I told them about it. I'm assuming the didn't look at the car much and just took my suggestion. I am starting to think it may be the valve cover. Any advise would be helpful.

jasonstang · Jun 27, 2018

Louieg58 said:
I am having the same issue. I don't notice the smell until I almost come to a stop and then it lasts for 10 seconds or so. I have noticed smoke coming from my front left wheel area when stopped too. I originally thought it was the hose that feeds the clutch from the brake reservoir as the hose was almost off the nipple and had some fluid when I moved it. I changed the hose to the steeda upgraded hose but am still having the smell/smoke issue from the front left of the car. I even took to the dealer and they told me it was the clutch feed line after I told them about it. I'm assuming the didn't look at the car much and just took my suggestion. I am starting to think it may be the valve cover. Any advise would be helpful.

I don't see how the clutch feed line can cause smoke because it's nowhere near the exhaust manifold.

P2 · Jun 29, 2018

Mine turned out to be the valve cover bolts (4 of them) had come loose. One was slightly leaking oil. They tightened them up and the problem went away.

Jukehz · Sep 3, 2021

Bumping a really old thread but my issue is very similar on my 2018. I only was able to get to like 5 or 6 of the 8-10 bolts on the driver side valve cover but I tightened them, not very loose. Still smelling it though. Hoping it's just some road debris or a bug on the header. Smells like plastic though.

Burning smell coming from engine compartment

P2

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jasonstang

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P2

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Rambl3r

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jasonstang

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Souldriver

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cbrookre

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EcoBoostang

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Tron

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Louieg58

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jasonstang

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P2

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Jukehz

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