Funny smell coming from ? on a COLD mtn trip (1 Viewer)

[RickyRacer]

Recently, some buddies of mine wanted to take the cruiser to Beech Mountain, NC for a weekend ski trip. I said sure - off we went.
She ran great to and from but while we were there I noticed a "clutch" smell coming from the truck. I check the AT fluid...it looked fine (level and color), oil...fine. I noticed the smell while ascending and descending Beech Mountain, regardless of the distance we traveled. I really think it was tranny related but what caused the smell? Since coming home (not so mountainous in Birmingham, AL) I haven't noticed it.
BTW, my friends and I were amazed at the cruiser's abilities in the snow! We cruised through 8" of fresh snow with no problem. The worst part was finding and staying on the tarmac. Hell, it was more fun than the skiing.

 

[RickyRacer]

Oops, forgot to mention how freak'en cold it was....-4 F at night, 15 during the day.

 

[Gauge]

What did you guys eat for lunch?

 

[RickyRacer]

just a couple dozen deviled eggs... ya think?

 

[treerootCO]

Your exhaust will heat up more than normal on a road trip. Maybe it was just burning off all the city that was stuck on it.

 

[mabrodis]

I often have gotten smells similar to what you describe when stuff (dirt/water/mud) gets onto the catalytic converters. It burns off and you'd think it would smell like something you're useto smelling (like burned mud for example, I've smelled that tons of times) but it doesn't, maybe different mud makeup or maybe some other crap on there, but I'd have wierd smells like that. I don't think it has anything to do with the cold, but has to do with you going slow and therefore can smell what's burning off the exhaust.

Good Luck...

 

[Trapper]

I know the smell. My parents own a place outside of Maggie Valley about 4000 ft. up the mountain. Every time I make it up there, I smell a peculiar odor coming from the truck. It smells similar to when I used to ride the clutch hard in my Tacoma. I'm pretty sure its coming from the tranny. My dad seems to think it’s the tranny just getting an extra workout on the steep hills coming up. I'll admit that it’s a chore moving this bus up the mountain with 35's and stock gears. He says his Dakota does the same thing. It never happens in the flat lands of Charleston. I know this doesn't help you solve the problem but at least you know it happens to someone else and I'm still running strong a year and a half later.

Mike

 

[Hltoppr]

Same here....kinda like burning rubber.... can't figure it out!

Most of the time it happens when I'm fully loaded going up the ski hill....

-H-

 

[Koffer]

The worst part was finding and staying on the tarmac.

Hey don't the planes get pissed a little when your on the runway. I would think the FAA would be all over you like white on rice

 

[RickyRacer]

Hey don't the planes get pissed a little when your on the runway. I would think the FAA would be all over you like white on rice

Naaww, more like a bumb on a ham sandwich...

 

[Hltoppr]

Seriously, does anyone have a clue what this is?

-H-

 

[RickyRacer]

Hltoppr,
It has to be the tranny. There were times when we would go down the street a couple of miles - engine just really getting warmed up...smelled it - stop for an hour - didn't smell it - drive for another mile and smelled it.
My point is, it's the only thing that was working the hardest...right? Not the diff's, the wheel bearings, the breaks (cause it would do it going up the hill), or even the engine.

 

[Pyro-boy]

I was wondering if you could be smelling your brakes? I live at 5500' and work at 7100'(Los Alamos NM). I go up and down and mostly smell brakes.

Vince

 

[Trapper]

The brakes could definitely be playing a role, but I know in my case the smell is prominent at the top of the mountain climb. At that point the brakes have been used very little.

Mike

 

[Pyro-boy]

Trapper that is one nice avatar. When I drive up in the morning I will check for a smell.

Vince

 

[Trapper]

I must say that I admire your avatar as well. We must have the same admiration for things that go boom. I wasn't even paying attention when I posted mine up today. Do you think there is room for two nuclear explosions on the same board?

Let us know what your nose finds out. I won't be making it to any hills/mountains for at least another 3 weeks.

Mike

 

[turbocruiser]

Could be couple things:

Grease getting thrown off of driveshaft and onto exhaust pipes.

Oily greasy crappy water or whatever getting splashed up onto cat as someone mentioned.

Does it smell more smoky like oil or sweet like coolant? Have you ever stopped just to see what might be making the smell? If not these things, then yea, go with blaming the deviled eggs!!! HTH

 

[RickyRacer]

turbocruiser,
I'm familiar with the sweet coolant smell and this is not coolant. It's more like the mentioned burning rubber smell.
I did stop to look under the truck, actually that's when you can smell it (when you get out).
I didn't see any type of leak or excess mud, just the usual road grime.
I'm glad (I think) that other folks have had similiar smells.
It could be the inclin-o-meter...?

 

[Hltoppr]

Mine's definitely not coolant. More like burning rubber, most of the time it seems like it's coming from the rear of the engine compartment on the USDS.

Pyro....

I grew up in LA....spent some time at 53 and 54 before grad school.

-H-
(Hence the name...)

 

[patpend2000]

I woiuld guess grease comming from the driveshaft, the cold temp causes the grease to harden w/in the joint, therefore compressing less, and forcing grease out of the joint which then slings it onto your cat. Look for streaks on the cat from the grease contacting the hot surface.

Also, w/the added weight of additional people in the car, the driveshaft will compress more, forcing grease from the joint.

Kelly