Burning Rubber smell from vents at idle

[19Glendale]

In my '98 Avalon XLS I'm getting a burning rubber smell in the morning from my vents only at idle, when the car is not moving. It seems to completely go away when moving, not just diluted. Any ideas?

[Jack Deth]

check for a plastic shopping bag melted to your exhaust.

[pmesfun]

possible oil (valve cover gasket) leak, I had that smell when my front valve cover gasket was leaking

[gt1209]

Originally Posted by Jack Deth

check for a plastic shopping bag melted to your exhaust.

+1

That happened to my 95 Avalon 2 years ago.

[TedL]

When you smell it, get out and walk around the car. If that doesn't do it, lift the hood. The seal should keep underhood from being drawn in, but they fail.

[robcam13]

possibly valve cover gaskets. it happened to my car. i just ran the vent in recirculate instead of fresh air until i fixed the valve cover gaskets.