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Engine Weird smell when hot

  • Thread starter Thread starter ggradtech
  • Start date Start date Jul 12, 2019
G

ggradtech

Active Member
Jun 17, 2016
179
18
28
Jul 12, 2019
#1
  • Jul 12, 2019
  • #1
When I park my car after it's warmed up to 200+ degrees, I notice this strange smell for a few minutes until it cools down. It's not a sweet coolant smell or a burnt/smokey oil smell. Not a clutch smell either. It almost smells like permatex that has been heated up. The engine is relatively new. I wasn't "rebuilt" per se. It was "gone over", whatever that means. It`s a 95 Lightning 351W motor. All of the gaskets are still pretty new since it onlt has around 300 miles on it since being put back together. I dont have any leaks, and I'm not seeing any drop in oil or coolant levels. I swear I've smelled this smell before on other cars I've owned. Maybe it's a "heated" oil smell? Car doesnt overheat. My electric fans kick on at around 190-200 or so and drop the engine temp within less than a minute. On a side-note, I'm using a push-pin type sensor in the upper radiator to kick the fans on. I would like to swap that for a sensor that threads into the thermostat housing area. Just not sure how to do that. I have a temperature sender threaded into the upper intake currently, so I don't think I can use that occupied location for a new temp sensor.
 

Steel1

Mustang Master
Aug 18, 2017
1,419
639
143
Connecticut
Jul 12, 2019
#2
  • Jul 12, 2019
  • #2
Have any brake work done lately, could be that lovely burning brake material smell.
You can get a water neck for 302/351w that's tapped on the top, thread temp sensor in there.
I got one from Pep Boys years ago, I'm sure you can find one on-line.
 
G

ggradtech

Active Member
Jun 17, 2016
179
18
28
Jul 12, 2019
#3
  • Jul 12, 2019
  • #3
I don't "think" it's the brakes. Usually, they have a more asbestos (burning paper) type smell similar to a burnt clutch, correct?
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,851
10,530
203
polk county florida
Jul 12, 2019
#4
  • Jul 12, 2019
  • #4
Fresh engine paranoia. Run it and if the smell does not go away after another few hundred miles then start worrying.
 

Steel1

Mustang Master
Aug 18, 2017
1,419
639
143
Connecticut
Jul 12, 2019
#5
  • Jul 12, 2019
  • #5
ggradtech said:
I don't "think" it's the brakes. Usually, they have a more asbestos (burning paper) type smell similar to a burnt clutch, correct?
Click to expand...
Yes
 

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
Apr 3, 2009
2,975
1,620
153
nevada
Jul 12, 2019
#6
  • Jul 12, 2019
  • #6
Gotta agree with karthief,could be paint or anything else just baking off.get her good and hot for a good long while and she'll be happy.p.s. This works with the ladies too.
 
T

trebor3170

mine usually gets hard with the car on
May 31, 2019
83
26
28
Salisbury, MD
Jul 12, 2019
#7
  • Jul 12, 2019
  • #7
Brake pads haven't been made with asbestos for years, so that wouldn't be it, I agree with karthief
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,184
17,888
224
Massachusetts
Jul 13, 2019
#8
  • Jul 13, 2019
  • #8
Mine gets a "smell" when I drive it on hot days. Been years since I cracked open the engine. I just chalk it up to the smell of awesomeness
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,851
10,530
203
polk county florida
Jul 13, 2019
#9
  • Jul 13, 2019
  • #9
Mustang5L5 said:
Mine gets a "smell" when I drive it on hot days. Been years since I cracked open the engine. I just chalk it up to the smell of awesomeness
Click to expand...
deodorant
 
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