Jolie7

After I boost my FD for a while (10 min), I smell strong burning scent under the hood. My friend with a FB has told me that it's just smell of the rotary engine. Is this normal, or should I be worried? Btw, my baby is 100% stock. Also, the gauge doesn't indicate that it's hot when this happens.

TT_Rex_7

If you could go more into detail on what the smell is like that might help. Example, does it smell like burning oil or what?! A burning scent could be many things without going into more detail.

-Alex

RipOff

Does this burning smell happen to be similar to burnt fuel? If so then you should make sure you include more lavendar oils other fragrences in your petrol. This is the best fix for the petrol burning smell... Though I hear the best solution to this is "blowing an apex seal" or something like that... well anyway!! I hear in some cases people who "blow their apex seals" have been able to completely eliminate this burning smell and at the same time reduce wear on drive components to zero with their special not driving technique.

Well does it smell like burning rubber? Like maybe your vacuum hoses? or is it more of a sweet smell? I have been told burning coolent smells like buring sugar or something but the person who told me was a dumass so I dunno maybe he was having me on LOL!!

Need more info... how you were driving... what star sign the car is under this month, etc... general FD things.

Consider maybe its a dead animal? that would explain the burning smell... its quite cosy up in an fd's engine bay... a perfect place for an animal to go and die... or get burnt to death!!

pugg57

thats kinda interesting... seriously, if it smells like burning hair, or steak being overcooked... you might have yourself a mouse or chipmunk in your rats nest that would be hilarious. if that does turn out to be the case, be sure to post pictures in the lounge.

otherwise, yes, you need to kinda discribe that maliforous odor a little better or we'll never be able to help you.

SDRacer87

I've had a similar problem (as well as others) with my stock RX-8.

it went away after I put about a 1,000 miles on it though, the smell comes back every now and then though, usually after extended drives in the car.

apneablue

No, it's not normal just to get that sorted out. Burning smell from the exhaust, yes, but not the hood. Could be a couple of things. Oil or coolant..You say it happens when you boost alot? I remember when I was sequential I had an oil leak on my secondary turbo. I would only get that burning oil smell when I would boost alot (like you said, 10 mins or so) and would happen past 4500rpm..When the secondary kicks in. Occasionally I would have a big puff of smoke out the exhaust when I passed 4500. I never got mine fixed. I just went single. First thing to do would be to start peeking under the hood with a flashlight for signs of dripped oil or coolant. You will have to get under the car (passenger side) to check for leaks around the turbo. Once you figure out where it's coming form then you can get it fixed.

Gadd

LOL What exactly does a Rotary engine smell like??? (sorry for being a smart ***)

Jolie7

That's the tricky part. I can tell that it's not a pleasant smell for sure. It kinda does smell like rubber burning, but then one time after I boosted for a while, I saw a little smoke coming under the hood. I pulled over and checked and the smoke was gone. By this, I assumed it may have been some oil.

Jolie7

"best solution to this is "blowing an apex seal" or something like that... well anyway!! I hear in some cases people who "blow their apex seals" have been able to completely eliminate this burning smell and at the same time reduce wear on drive components to zero with their special not driving technique. "

What is an apex seal?


"Well does it smell like burning rubber? Like maybe your vacuum hoses? or is it more of a sweet smell? I have been told burning coolent smells like buring sugar or something but the person who told me was a dumass so I dunno maybe he was having me on LOL!!"


And why would my vacuum hoses be burning?

Gadd

Ok first thing stop talking to the person your quoting in your posts. Take you car to a shop that knows rotorys. This is nothing to mess with a coolant and /or oil leak could cause a fire.

pugg57

please tell me you are kidding... you are kidding right?

apneablue

What's there to kid about? I didn't know what an Apex Seal was when I first got my car. From asking what seems to be dumb **** questions all over the net I learned...I am no pro but I am a lot more educated on this whole thing just by being on this forum than when I started..

Here's something for you to read if you still don't know what an Apex Seal is...Will probably answer other questions too.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/rotary-engine.htm

pugg57

i guess i take it for granted that anyone who buys an FD or other rotary powered car should know at least the BASIC principles of how it works... i know i'm not a pro either but again i assumed (which i shouldn't do) that maybe he was trying to make a joke.

i appologize to all as i'm really out of it today and didn't think that comment through. i REALLY doubt that that kinda smell is the result of a blown apex seal though.

alberto_mg

No offense, but if you don't know one of the most basic elements of a rotary engine like what an apex seal is don't waste your time trying to figure this out by posting on forums. Whatever people will tell you, you won't understand.

Go to the Regional forums and locate a Rotary specialist in your area and take the car in. Don't take it to the dealer as you will get raped on prices.

FYI - these cars are known to catch fire due to fuel and coolant leaks so get your car looked at ASAP unless you want to risk something more serious.

Jolie7

thanks for the info.
I know how rotary engines work, but I'm still not familiar with the terminology. I just got the car 6 months ago, and still getting used to the term.
Btw, no offense taken.

I do have a rotary mechanic I go to. Maybe I should take the car to him.