The "Smell"!!

[Guest]

As a new and in-experienced 996 C4 owner each time I get out of the car (without too much right foot - honest) I get a strong rubber/hot engine smell!

All the engine temp and pressure indicators are in the normal range according to the owners manual, and all the fluid levels are correct and I am not loosing fluids as far as I can tell - can anyone reassure me that all is well and that this is "normal"?

Many thanks

 

[ianbanneville]

I get that too. Could never decide whether it is hot engine or brakes....

 

[garyandjanet]

me too

 

[Hugh Ross]

and me

Hugh

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Likewise

 

[Guest]

Ditto.

How new is the car though? The engine is apparently coated at the factory with some kind of protectant which takes a good while to 'burn off'. Wonder if that's what we are all smelling?

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys - I am much reassured, and now feel a wimp for ever doubting the car!

 

[tim court]

Just one other thing, if you lift the engine lid and take a good sniff you may also mix in the waft of hot anti-freeze/coolant as they do have a bit of an issue with reservoir seal leaks.

As your coolant levels are fine it doesn't sound like you have this issue, yours sounds just like the normal gentle waft of a nice hot babe.... Mmmmmmm[] enjoy!

 

[Michael Downing]

Some people enjoy the aroma of a fine wine.

Some people prefer the scent of an expensive perfume.

Personally, I'll have the smell of a hot 911 engine every time! []

 

[topgearuk]

Yep! mine always smells like it's been "Ragged" []

 

[Ian W]

Mine too.

 

[Guest]

Hmmm.... not me. No smells from my car except that gorgious smell of quality leather

 

[Guest]

Mine smells like that too and nearly six years old so not an engine sealant I think. Hot oil it smells like to me - it does it even if you've hardly been using the brakes...

 

[Guest]

Mine always smells when I stop.
Usually it is a mixture of hot oil, hot metal and hot rubber.
The hot metal is obvious since the cats get above 700 deg C I think, also the if the exhaust tips are too hot to touch, the rest has to be really hot.
The hot rubber comes from the hoses, and in my case I think particularly the hoses from the turbos to the intercoolers.
The hot oil smell I am not sure about. I suppose there must be a breather on it somewhere and I occaisionally spill a couple of drops when filling it up. I don't notice any leaks, but then I don't look.

The C4S smellt similar even after 25K miles.

Hot brakes and hot clutch smell different and are not quite so pleasant.

 

[philippe]

Mine smells as well, when i first got it i thought it was odd, but was told by OPC that they do wiff a bit, getting to like the smell now, no wonder my friends think i'm strange.

Phil

 

[grant_goulding]

It may be oil. Check the nearside exhaust manifold and look for oil drops from the cam covers!

 

[Michael Downing]

Quick vote:

How many of us have, at one time or another, gone back into the garage later for a quick sniff?

[]

 

[Guest]

Oh dear [8|]

[][]

 

[Melv]

Mmmm -cooking Porsche....

 

[philippe]

I confess to that!

From - Sado.