Burning rubber!

[AndrewT]

The last couple of times that I've driven my 2.9 Gen 2 Cayman I've noticed, after switching off and standing at the back of the car, a fairly strong smell of burning rubber. There have been no signs of any smoke, and the performance before switching off seems unaffected.

Any ideas, before I send it to the garage for investigation?

 

[Motorhead]

Andrew,

If the rear tyres aren't fouling something (highly unlikely I would imagine) then the only thing I can think is that you check the integrity of the polybelt.

Jeff

 

[flat6]

Porsches do give off a 'nice' smell around the rear after a hard run. Some say it smells like rubber, others say it smells like clutch, but seriously, if you don't smell it from inside the car it may be that 'normal' smell that they exhibit.

Hopefully someone can elaborate further...

 

[s999sws]

Mine has always done this after a spirited drive, nothing to worry about.

sws

 

[John Maddox]

So has mine.

 

[keiththo]

My 2008 Boxster did this but nothing like as strong a smell as a Cayman driven by a salesman on a test drive ! My new Cayman also does it to an extent, so as others have said it seems to be 'normal'.

 

[AndrewT]

If the rear tyres aren't fouling something (highly unlikely I would imagine) then the only thing I can think is that you check the integrity of the polybelt.

Jeff,

I too can't imagine that the rear tyres are fouling anything, they have not been changed. I wondered if it may be the polybelt although if that was failing I'd expect to hear it squealing as it slips.

I know the hot engine smell that others have mentioned but on my car that doesn't have the smell of burning rubber.

I'll check again next time I use the car and will report back.

Andrew.

 

[GMGreenwayGTS]

My Cayman has always had an 'interesting' smell after a run, a cross between oil and rubber. As it only has 2000 miles on the clock I thought it was just general settling in. But I am quite enjoying the bouquet as part of the enjoyment of owning a Porsche.

 

[kasspa]

I panicked when I first noticed this on my 4S but it is only deposits on exhaust Heatshields & perfectly normal.....

You must be driving it as Porsche designed it for....[]

 

[crxvtec]

I get this smell, particularly noticeable after a spirited drive.

 

[geoff lane]

Any tread left on the tyres !!!!

 

[kasspa]

Believe it or not, my Continentals have done + 18k miles.......

I just think it's how N rated tyres wear or it's rubber that's picked up on the road & gets deposited onto heatshields.....

Either way it makes me think I've been driving faster than i probably have []

 

[AndrewT]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

I've had the car up on the ramps to have a good look around the engine, I've removed the underfloor cover to inspect the alternator drive belt, and I've had the engine cover off too, but I haven't seen anything which might be causing the burning/hot rubber smell so I think I'll have to accept that the smell is normal, though I'm surprised that I hadn't noticed it during the first 6 months of ownership.