Burning Smell Uphill/Strain

[Goatcruiser]

Recently noticed a hot/burning smell, close to that of rubber really, but only on uphill/downshifts after the vehicle has been running for a while. I'm a total newbie to auto trans problems, but this kind of came out of nowhere as I drive the vehicle daily. Also just threw the lovely EGR flow code - coincidence maybe?
Fluid change needed? Trans cooler issue?
Opinions gladly accepted.

 

[jcardona1]

I've had the same mystery smell for a few years. To me it almost smells like when you cook the brakes coming downhill too fast. But it can't be the brakes because it only happens when I'm going uphill and the brakes are fine. Haven't been able to pinpoint where it's coming from.

 

[Goatcruiser]

It has to be transmission related I would think. And something has to be heating up. I drive very frequently through the mountains on interstate and this is the first time I’ve had this happen, and it hasn’t gone away. I hate to push the limits and just keep an eye on it though.

 

[Goatcruiser]

Anyone?
Maybe it's the cat, but it's really not a sulfur-y smell, plus it's a relatively new cat.

 

[Corbet]

Most likely its exhaust related or something heating up directly around the exhaust. I can smell the ceramic coating burning off my EMS system on long uphill pulls. Check the area round your cats first. Are the heat shields in place and in good condition? Cats in good shape?

Or do you have any fluid leaks blowing back on the exhaust and burning off under load?

 

[Goatcruiser]

Everything appears to be fine and in good order. The only leak I currently have is a slow one from the steering box, which would have nothing to do with the exhaust. I'm about to make a long drive this weekend, and I'll try to make a stop when I smell it again to try and isolate it.

 

[nukegoat]

My exhaust burns my carpet

 

[duggy]

My exhaust burns my carpet

That's signs of a head gasket on it's way out.

 

[Red Merle]

Does the tranny fluid smell burned?

 

[nukegoat]

That's signs of a head gasket on it's way out.

I know. I'm going to put 2 gaskets in there next time

 

[Goatcruiser]

My best guess is the cat frying some sort of rubber under the carpet. It just doesn't make much sense to me since I've had this cat (brand new) for several months and it's just now happening. Unless the cat is already clogged? Unfortunately my welder had some issues getting the exhaust over the frame and had to cut/weld the whole thing together instead of using the coupler, so it's too late to gut the thing. I'll put some extra heat shielding up and see what happens.

 

[Corbet]

Try wrapping it if you can.

Maybe something like this? Heatshield Products Armor Exhaust Heat Shields 177201

 

[SmokingRocks]

this happens to my rig too. I've traced it back to U Joint grease that has flug off and is now stuck on the body with a bunch of mud intertwined.

I really need to spend a full day under my rig with a case of degreaser and a hotsy.

 

[Tedward]

The process of dropping and installing a fuel tank will get much of that slung grease off. Ends up on hands and arms. Just saying that's one way to get it.

 

[Goatcruiser]

figured it out.
Duh.
I recently had my exhaust done over-the-frame, and hadn't driven it an extended time since. I realized where it crosses it's merely 1-2" from the floorboard under the passenger seat.
Duh.
Griddle mystery solved.