Burning Smell from Driver Side Wheel Well

[The Insomnimaniac]

If you have a sticking brake caliper, the car won't roll forward or backwards on a small incline or decline. It's really obvious.

Either the OP was riding the brake pedal, or the valve cover is leaking.

I’ll try a small incline later. Of note, I haven’t really noticed it since. I was on the brakes a lot that morning because the roads were soaked, so yea I may have been riding them.

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[The Insomnimaniac]

A sticky or frozen caliper would likely cause the car to pull to one side. Maybe just slightly, but still it should be noticeable if you pay attention.

Also, has the smell repeated itself? Or was it a one off thing?
I wouldn't be too concerned unless it starts repeating itself.

One time thing so far.

 

[The Insomnimaniac]

I just had to replace my driver side valve cover, could be that as well. Leaking gasket onto the exhaust

But in that case, would the smell be isolated to only 1 wheel well? I popped the hood and couldn’t find any trace of it.

 

[JCF204]

yeah, I was convinced I had a belt issue, smelled more like burning rubber to me. But took in and they fixed it and problem is gone.
I actually saw smoke come out of the front grill one night too so it was very hard to pinpoint without getting really looked at.

 

[CrackedHorn]

But in that case, would the smell be isolated to only 1 wheel well? I popped the hood and couldn’t find any trace of it.

I know when it happened to me I couldn't see anything under the hood. I could only smell a faintnoil burning smell.

I let it go on for several weeks because it was such a minor smell at first. Within a few weeks I could see small puffs of smoke.

I replaced the valve cover and gasket on mine. I have been told these plastic valve covers are prone to leak/ crack and just replacing the gasket won't always fix the leak.

 

[The Insomnimaniac]

I know when it happened to me I couldn't see anything under the hood. I could only smell a faintnoil burning smell.

I let it go on for several weeks because it was such a minor smell at first. Within a few weeks I could see small puffs of smoke.

I replaced the valve cover and gasket on mine. I have been told these plastic valve covers are prone to leak/ crack and just replacing the gasket won't always fix the leak.

Ah I see. I’ll give it a few more days to see what’s what. Thanks for the input!

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