Anyboby notice a burning smell when they walk around the rear of their E? I have about 2 grand on the clock and when I walk by the back of my E after going up a hill near work I smell what smells like a similar problem I had with my ex-Forrester (i.e. burning grease because of a leaking half shaft boot.)

I am really BURNING UP about the burning smell in the rear of my six month old E....smells like paper burning. I am so disappointed to be having any trouble with this car, after owning a 95 wrangler that only had a few little gliches in 10 years..and 210 k miles..and before that a Raider with little trouble for 107k miles....it is also getting very bad gas mileage also. Drove from here to Santa Monica first week I bought it and got average of 27-28 MPS even over mountain passes that went on for a thousand miles it seemed. Now getting only 15-20 MPG and I have only 9k on it. The dealer said no problem when I brought it in. But I will take it in again....and INSIST on they FIXING the smell.....problem....and mileage problem...or I will leave it there forever...How dare they have problems with a car that is NEW....gads!

I am really BURNING UP about the burning smell in the rear of my six month old E....smells like paper burning. I am so disappointed to be having any trouble with this car, after owning a 95 wrangler that only had a few little gliches in 10 years..and 210 k miles..and before that a Raider with little trouble for 107k miles....it is also getting very bad gas mileage also. Drove from here to Santa Monica first week I bought it and got average of 27-28 MPS even over mountain passes that went on for a thousand miles it seemed. Now getting only 15-20 MPG and I have only 9k on it. The dealer said no problem when I brought it in. But I will take it in again....and INSIST on they FIXING the smell.....problem....and mileage problem...or I will leave it there forever...How dare they have problems with a car that is NEW....gads!
You left out the part where it gets real dirty inside when you drive on a dirt road with the tail gate open!

You left out the part where it gets real dirty inside when you drive on a dirt road with the tail gate open!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

good memory;)

totomojo, i have smelled this smell before but a couple of the times i wasn't sure if it was my E because i went walking around it and couldn't pinpoint the smell.

I have also noticed the smell in my 05. I have 34k on it and just today (12 /20/06) had a leaking seal in the rear diff. replaced. it was covered under the warrantee, thankfully! I don't know if that was the problem, but it may be a step in the right direction.

Hmmmm. . . anyone ever get definite diagnosis for their burning smells. My 2008 SC (4,500 miles) is doing this since I drove it off the lot - Stink comes in the vents while at stop lights and sometimes right when I turn on the vent just after starting the car. Its not of recirculate and I never use AC (SF Fog) and BTW it's not exhaust smell its more like sweet oil, or as some have described it as paper burning smell. Actually my interior kinda has a perma stink in it now. I use the fresh air vents instead of windows down to save MPG, adding a little aero dynamic's to the box. So the work around is rolll down windows but I shouldn't have to do that...

Any one else out there with new E's with the stink? :twisted:

I have a new E and have no problems with smells other than the lovely new-car smell! Even did an 11 hour drive through the mountains to the coast at about 2,000 kms and no issues. I am happy with 4500 kms on the clock now.

Is is possible one of you drove over a plastic bag and it melted to the exhaust? Even after they burn off it smells for weeks!

I have a new E and have no problems with smells other than the lovely new-car smell! Even did an 11 hour drive through the mountains to the coast at about 2,000 kms and no issues. I am happy with 4500 kms on the clock now.

One question- how often do you drive with your windows down?

Anybody thought of changing your brand of gas?

Some brands have a higher sulphur content, the cat may not be able to handle it.

There is a plastic cover on the trailing arms... My passenger side one has partially melted over the years as it sits just above the exhaust .... I covered it with Aircraft Aluminum tape... Maybe this is the smell?

EDIT: It's not the Trailing arm, but the "cross member thing" ( Technical Term :) ) ... someone chime in with the correct name !