Burning Smell

[THW_TJ]

Hi everyone. I’m new to TJs and just purchased a 2000 TJ Sport. When driving it, temperature remains fine, but I notice a burning smell when I park it after every drive. Nothing is smoking, I see no leaks of any kind and I can’t identify where it is coming from.

The previous owner recently replaced the radiator. I don’t have the best nose, but it mildly smells like it may be burnt fluids. Once again, I see no leaks or smoke and can’t identify exactly where it’s coming from.

1. That isn’t normal for the 4.0 liter, is it?
2. Could this have been spilled coolant burning off? Wouldn’t it smoke, if so?
3. I have the automatic and the traditional transmission whine at low speeds. Could it be worn down ATF? How would I know if the transmission is heating up too much?

Thanks in advance.

Best,

Tommy

 

[TLT1964]

Do you smell it from inside the cab? The reason I ask is that's what I started smelling when my heater core was starting to leak. Almost smells like hot coolant and even like a wire getting hot?

Also, my 97 has the automatic trans and it does the whine in lower gears, I think it's just a Jeep thing, it shifts fine?

 

[Camdenst]

What kind of burning… fluids burning or more like leaves? I had issues with the blower motor resistor getting full of debris and burning.

 

[Link]

Bet you have some oil leaks.

Coolant smell reminds me of maple syrup.

 

[TLT1964]

Bet you have some oil leaks.

Coolant smell reminds me of maple syrup.

Exactly, it smells "sweet". The tell tale sign for me was green "oil" dripping from the AC drain on the outside firewall. Also check passenger floorboard for drips.

 

[THW_TJ]

Do you smell it from inside the cab? The reason I ask is that's what I started smelling when my heater core was starting to leak. Almost smells like hot coolant and even like a wire getting hot?

Also, my 97 has the automatic trans and it does the whine in lower gears, I think it's just a Jeep thing, it shifts fine?

TLT,

I don’t typically smell it in the cab. More so once I park the vehicle after a drive of 10 or more miles. I typically drive a mix of highway and city. Daily drives to work are 10-12 miles, one-way.

 

[THW_TJ]

What kind of burning… fluids burning or more like leaves? I had issues with the blower motor resistor getting full of debris and burning.

I’m not having any issues there, I don’t think. I haven’t run the AC the past couple of days and still end up with the smell.

 

[THW_TJ]

Bet you have some oil leaks.

Coolant smell reminds me of maple syrup.

I’m not seeing anything anywhere and no spots on the ground in the drive way or in work parking spots. I’ll try to get underneath it this weekend, but I’m not seeing anything.

 

[Link]

If you have a small amount of oil dripping onto the exhaust it might not be enough to form spots on the ground but still be enough for you to smell a burning odor. It could be several things but oil leaks are just the most likely.

 

[THW_TJ]

If you have a small amount of oil dripping onto the exhaust it might not be enough to form spots on the ground but still be enough for you to smell a burning odor. It could be several things but oil leaks are just the most likely.

So oil leaks are common on the 4.0 liter? If it is leaking onto the exhaust, what is the likely culprit?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TLT1964]

Valve cover gasket.

 

[Link]

Oil leaks are extremely common on like our Jeeps. If it’s not leaking now….give it time and it will. It’s just part of owning a TJ. I’d suspect your valve cover gasket first and oil pan second.

 

[MikekiM]

Bet you have some oil leaks.

Coolant smell reminds me of maple syrup.

Smells like cotton candy to me...

 

[THW_TJ]

Oil leaks are extremely common on like our Jeeps. If it’s not leaking now….give it time and it will. It’s just part of owning a TJ. I’d suspect your valve cover gasket first and oil pan second.

How often do these require replacement?

 

[Link]

How often do these require replacement?

There’s no hard answer on that. If you want to pin me down to an answer, I’d guess 30-50k on the valve cover gasket. Oil pan gasket….who knows.

You are eventually going to get a rear main seal leak. It’ll likely start slow and gradually get worse. High mileage oil will likely help it last longer but won’t fix it.

It’s a Jeep. It’s going to leak. As long as it’s leaking, it’s good. That means it has fluids in it. When it stops leaking, you’re empty!