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Smoke, Odor, Oh Oh

DGonz

Full Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2002
Messages
3,178
Location
NY
I have been getting a burning oder (like plastic or electrical) for about a week or so, can't figure it out, so tonight I get to my garage after driving for about 10 minutes and I turn off the AV as I'm getting out of the AV me and my wife notice smoke coming out of the tailpipe with the engine off but no burning odor, keep in mind I installed a Volant kit and a magnaflow but it's been months since the install. I opened the lid on the Volant and all looks ok if I take it to the dealer to go on the safe side should I install the stock intake.
Thanks Guys
Heavy D
 
HeavyD said:
I have been getting a burning oder (like plastic or electrical) for about a week or so, can't figure it out, so tonight I get to my garage after driving for about 10 minutes and I turn off the AV as I'm getting out of the AV me and my wife notice smoke coming out of the tailpipe with the engine off but no burning odor, keep in mind I installed a Volant kit and a magnaflow but it's been months since the install. I opened the lid on the Volant and all looks ok if I take it to the dealer to go on the safe side should I install the stock intake.
You may have simply been observing exhaust. Mine sometimes vents exhaust for a couple minutes after I turn off the truck.

Regarding the electrical smell, the only thing I could suggest, and this is because of my limited experience in the past, is your alternator might be dying. I am sure many things may cause this smell that could cause concern, but the only time I have smelled that was before my alternator packed it in.

Maybe see what your dealership has to say before it becomes more serious.
 
Thanks Boar, do you know how I can check the alternator.
Heavy D
 
Hey D.

I remember you having a lot mods done with your truck. I hope it isn't anything sizzling. Eletrical problems on these new cars are a nightmare. I'd have someone look at it.

Surge
 
Check the area of cladding where tailpipes come out.I had a plastic burn only when truck was fully loaded(pay-load)
 
Yo Power:
? I'm taking it in Tomorrow, lets hope it's not a mod thing even though I haven't modded in a while, also now I noticed it smoking when I accelerate it.
 
HeavyD said:
Yo Power:
? I'm taking it in Tomorrow, lets hope it's not a mod thing even though I haven't modded in a while, also now I noticed it smoking when I accelerate it.

Hey D, I wouldn't be driving it. If by chance one of your mods is getting cooked you don't want it shorting out your computer. And I don't mean your laptop either.

Good Luck and keep us informed. (y)
 
Yeah but know we are looking at the smoke issue.
BTW the guy at the dealer told me that some times if you go into 4x4 you will get a burning smell, he said you shouldn't be on 4x4 unless you have to.
 
I have had the same burning smell for about a month or more. I have had it to two dealers, as well as checking it out in my own shop. We checked the heated seat, blower motor, alternator, disconnected the trailer wiring harness, checked all fuses for getting hot, changed the filter in the HVAC, unhooked the radio, and disconnected the DRL's with no success. The dealers duplicated just about what we did but couldn't find anything. The only thing we didn't check is the tiny fan that draws air from above your head for the climate control....that's next.
 
Hey Joe:
That does not sound good, it sounds like one of those cases where you just have to wait till whatever gives. I'm planning on taking a trip to Florida and I don't want to take a chance.
 
I'm heading for Florida and leaving today pulling my 11,000 lb camper with two of my Harley's in it. Good luck to me too.
 
Thats cool Joe good luck
I went to the dealer today you won't believe what the problem was, a plastic bag on the exhaust I had checked for that, I guess I missed it, the smoke was nothing really, so now I guess I'm ready for that trip. I have A great Idea Joe give me a real good price on one of those harley's so you won't have to pull that muchh weight, you got to take it eazy on the AV.
 
HeavyD said:
Thanks Boar, do you know how I can check the alternator.
I am not a mechanic by any means. But would think that if your dealership connected your alternator to a meter that they would be able to look for power fluctuations or other signs that your alternator is about to crater. Just visit them and see what they say. :)
 
UPDATE!!!!!
I made the trip from NJ to FL pulling my 11,000 trailer at 70 plus mph and had intermitent burning smell many times BUT nothing ever stopped working. Now I talked with the local dealer here and they told me it has something with the coating on the muffler. After a period of time the coating starts to desinegrate and as there is a temperature change, it gives off an odor. I'm not buying that excuse. I'm asking for a new muffler. They have to check with the zone rep. SURE!!!!
 
I had a burning smell too. Mostly after a longer ride...say around 50 miles. Had a burnong rubber flavour too I thought though I was sure it was an oil leak Dealer found it right away. Bad vent on the front differential was pumping diff lube out onto block. Caught it just in time. I should have been able to pinpoint this smell myself as overheated diif lubricant usually has a more acrid smell than regular engine oil. Could explain the "electrical" smell.

Mine was caught just in timebefore all the fluid was pumped out.
 
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