smells like burning rubber - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

keithy · 02-07-2006, 03:35 PM

I am asking for a friend. Here's his situation. Whenever he turns on his air conditioning or heater, he smells burning rubber. He also mentioned that he has to add coolant every 2 weeks. Could that be related in some way? What could be the problem? His car is stock. 1995 with 105k miles.

Mike Gerber · 02-07-2006, 03:48 PM

Yes the 2 can be related. He may have a leaky heater core. The smell could be the antifreeze fumes being blown in to the car by the fan. Is it more of a sweet smell than a burning rubber smell? Have him check the carpet on the passenger side for being damp; a sure sign of a leaky heater core. Have him pull the carpet up if it is not wet on top.

Mike

Gary_602Z · 02-07-2006, 06:20 PM

Another thing to look for is a light oily film on the windshield/windows. The right thing to do would be to pressure check the system to find the leak.

Gary

keithy · 02-08-2006, 10:16 AM

Mike,
I have checked with my friend, but he told me that he could not smell any sweet fumes. Just burning rubber. He said that he could not find any wet spot at the passenger side as well.

Gary,
No oily film on windsheild/window as well.

I will take a test drive on his car later this weekend and report back with you guys on the problem. Thanks for the quick response guys.

jpbear · 04-05-2006, 09:53 PM

So what did the problem turn out to be?