carbonLORD

Over the last week or so, I have noticed a burning rubber smell when I park the car after a drive. On my way to work last week, I noticed a steam like vapor comming from between the cracks on the hood, closest towards me, not at the grille and thought it was earlly morning dew comming off the hood in the sun.

Again, yesterday, I noticed a steam like color vapor comming from the drivers side under the hood. It is not a black smoke, but looks like a cigarette was sitting under the engine burning under the hood.

Here is an image which shows the locaton from where the steam/smoke is originating. (Its not great, I apologize):

<Img src="http://www.carbonLORD.com/Audi/42enginejpg">

Like I said, it appears to be comming from in between the engine, and the heat shields on that side but is originating from somewhere on the underside to the engine bay. I stopped by my mechanics and of course the steam/smoke went away, but he could smell the burnt rubber smell as well.

He first asked "This isnt the side with the bad CV boot is it?" I said, "No, thats on the other side." He then asked, "Did you have the car detailed reciently?" to which I responded, "No, but I did have the cam adjusters serviced 2 weeks ago." He poked and prodded with a flash light briefly and said "Carbon, theres not really anything major that stands out." He said he would drop the belly pan when he services my split CV Boot this weekend while I am in Philli.

It did not smoke today, and the rubber smell was not noticable but there is definetly something going on there.

<b>Are there any rubber hoses or anything that could be out of place to the underside of this area, causing a rubber burning like smell?

Would it be wise to have the engine steam cleaned and detailed which might clean out whatever gunk/junk might be in there?

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what burns white vapor like smoke and makes a rubber like smell? I'd assume oil burns black, but what about all of the other fluids, on this side of the engine?</b>

Thankfully, it is not comming through the vents with both AC or heat turned on, or that would smell like hell.

My oil temprature has always been around the 200° mark and the engine temp remains dead center as usuall, so no overheating is present.

I love a mystery, but I also love to solve them.

Thanks in Advance for any suggestions, (specifically any answers to my questions in <b>bold print</b>

cL

QCRAZY

Transmission output flage seal is leaking.

What do I win??

02a62.7t6spd_madman

In think our engine mounts are filled with fluid, maybe some leaked.

PaulW

I don't know if you've ever smelt gear lube before, but it has a very distinct smell.

It doesn't smell like engine oil, but more like a burnt rubber type smell....and if it is, it's the transmission output seal as qcrazy states.

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/auto_transmission/transeal3.JPG"><ul><li><a href="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/auto_transmission/transealreplacement.html">Read all about it here</a></li></ul>

schnellmb

I am noticing this myself...more after driving in sport. My oil temp at 225. It smells "hot."

carbonLORD

...The mechanic now has a place to look. PaulW's pages and the explanation seem to match my description exactly. Thanks guys.

My mechanic also said something about this in conjunction wth the inner CV boot?

Outer CV boot on passenger side is being fixed as well, seems to make sense, I guess?

carbonLORD

Yes, yes it does.

JAA 4.2

Check the coolant reservoir as well. You could have a crack or loose hose.

6ULDV8

to create the kind of smoke your seeing. It usually leaks most at rest and drips in between the 2 cats and onto the garage floor. Any spots on the floor? The area is well behind the belly pan, so if its the rear seal (as some speculate)you should be seeing it on the ground. Never seen one smoke out from the hood myelf.

QCRAZY

All I see is bashing.

You can "debate" the possiblity of it all you want. I've seen one leak at the output shaft and smoke...MINE!