SohcIt2me Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 Could use some help. - Running 2008 subaru legacy 2.5i limited sohc - I seem to always get weird problems, but I had a problem with the radiator fan recently and it was always on. As soon as I put my key to the on position (engine off) the main fan would kick on at high. I was going to replace the coolant temp sensor but the dealership was not close by and always closed when I had the time. Then one day it magically just stopped turning on and worked like it was supposed to (maybe there was a clog in the radiator and it got unclogged). Probably the next day I start smelling a burning rubber smell when idle with the heater on while I was driving. I assumed it was other cars next to me and it was just getting sucked in and blowing into my car (usually the case). Then it just kept happening every time I was stopped. Finally I decide to pop the hood and I definitely smell a distinct burning rubber smell coming from the drivers side of the engine bay. A lot of people said that the cv boots leak on the exhaust and it smells like burning rubber, but its also on the passenger side of the car (did check the cv boots still). I've done a basic visual inspection above and below the engine but can't find anything obvious. There's no smoking, so I can't see where the burning rubber smell is coming from. If anyone has a clue to what it is I'd appreciate it. I'm probably not looking carefully enough and if I'm pointed in the right direction I might be able to find it (not a plastic bag caught on the exhaust either). Appreciate the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobaru Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 I would have gone with cv joint boot first thing followed by weeping head gasket, then disc brake drag. I have had all 3 of these problems and would describe the smell in the burning rubber category; each with its own flavor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02603sec Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 the 2006 GT Turbo had that, It was oil leak from the valve cover. It took me months to find it, it was intermittent and the oil didn't drip straight down. That is an 8 beer job, requires magnets, pick tools, mirror, cleanliness, downpipe removal (passenger side). Only Subaru dealer will have the parts. If you go in, it is a great time to inspect the turbo wheel, sensors and for other leaks. take your time. If you have a way to pull the engine quickly, that would be better, then you could do both sides drop the pan, and inspect for metal shavings. Next time, I am going to pull the motor instead of crawling around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SohcIt2me Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 Thanks, I'm assuming it's the same thing for me because it's intermittent for me as well and I know I have a bit of an oil leak. I seem not to get the burning oil smell when I'm on an incline i assume because the oil is traveling and dripping somewhere else than the exhaust pipe I think. Mine's N/A but the logic I believe still applies to my car too. I'm wondering if I always had it but just didn't notice the smell because I used Mobil full synthetic before, but tried out the Mobil high mileage full synthetic this oil change (maybe has rubber additives lol). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwfoster Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I had that recently (197k miles) turned out to be bad idler pully on AC compressor belt, hence the intermittant. Located right under AC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SohcIt2me Posted January 20, 2015 Author Share Posted January 20, 2015 How would I identify that I have a bad idler pulley? Is it basically that the belt was burning up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merc6 Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I had that recently (197k miles) turned out to be bad idler pully on AC compressor belt, hence the intermittant. Located right under AC. Anyone know when the parts changed for that idler pulley? When I replaced my metal one years back, it was now composite. The parts guy said the all metal pulley had a higher fail rate. 2005 Satin White Pearl Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Unlimited 5EAT (Project Car) 2019 Agate Black Ford Explorer XLT 4WD (DD) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxman Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Don't know, but I pulled an OE composite one off of my '05 and replaced it with a Gates metal one just a couple of months ago. The composite is what came on the car in '04 when I bought the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R15 Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 My bad smell from the passenger side is also a weirdly leaking right-side valve cover gasket, for what that's worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbone Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 What a timely thread. I've got a leaky passenger side valve cover gasket as well I know this because the cross member right under the uppipe is stained with oil. When it drips on the UP, I get a faint burning oil smell in the cabin. Twice now it was really intense, and now I've got residue on the dashboard around where the top vents are. No bueno. Any DIY guides around for replacing the valve cover gasket? Is it a total pain in the ass? It looks like it, because it's cramped LE: found it http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/valve-cover-and-plug-tube-seal-guide-206386.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apexi Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Your LGT will be different than what Otto posted there. Not a DIY thread, but there's an attachment with where to apply liquid gasket. http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/valve-cover-gasket-replacement-questions-235421.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asianrage Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I have the same burnt rubber smell on my 3.0R. Is this not exclusive to the Boxer4? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbone Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 False alarm. My smell was coming from my skidplate having been stuck and melted just a bit to my oil pan. I must have once parked over the curb and did not realize it. My Legacy keeps doing that. Smells and noises that seem like something expensive/time consuming to fix, only to turn out to be minor issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SohcIt2me Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 Found the burning rubber/oil smell. Turns out it was the Mobil 1 synthetic high mileage oil dripping from a bad Mobil 1 oil filter. I have the usual Subaru little oil leak, but not a big oil leak that is constantly leaking onto the exhaust making that smell. Must have been all the extra "additives" in the high mileage synthetic oil that made it smell more like rubber than oil. For everyone that has that smell on the drivers side, def check the oil filter. Switched over to Rotella oil and pure 1 filters, and much happier and cheaper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike07LGT Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Found the burning rubber/oil smell. Turns out it was the Mobil 1 synthetic high mileage oil dripping from a bad Mobil 1 oil filter. I have the usual Subaru little oil leak, but not a big oil leak that is constantly leaking onto the exhaust making that smell. Must have been all the extra "additives" in the high mileage synthetic oil that made it smell more like rubber than oil. For everyone that has that smell on the drivers side, def check the oil filter. Switched over to Rotella oil and pure 1 filters, and much happier and cheaper! Yea not using Mobil 1 oil is the first thing you gotta learn with these cars. They just don't like it! Now that you have the right oil in there you have to keep an eye on it every gas fill up! 03 WRB WRX (RIP) 04 JBP STI (sold) 07 DGM Legacy GT (RIP) 12 OBP STI (DD) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asianrage Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 I have the same burnt rubber smell on my 3.0R. Is this not exclusive to the Boxer4? Looks like my passenger side CV boot is ripped. I'm not sure I can do this.. How much should it cost to replace the whole axle? Has anyone done this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbone Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Yea not using Mobil 1 oil is the first thing you gotta learn with these cars. They just don't like it! Now that you have the right oil in there you have to keep an eye on it every gas fill up! I concur. Based on oil analyses on M1, there are better alternatives especially when it comes to maintaining viscosity and protecting against fuel dillution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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