Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

Smell when approaching 100mph.

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 23, 2006 | 11:18 AM
  #1  
Rhythmic's Avatar
Thread Starter
Laid back in the pocket
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Blacksburg, VA
Odor when approaching 100mph.

I was noticing this weekend that when I accelerate hard through 4th or 5th, and reach approx. 100mph, I start smelling something. Seems like a slight burning odor. I don't know if its the clutch or what.

I'm not a rookie with a man. trans, and I don't slip the clutch much, especially at high rpms. I just noticed this for the first time this weekend, and it happened both times I accelerated hard up to 100, but I don't notice it when I accelerate up to say 80-85mph. It really seems to only happen once I reach 100??

Whats the deal?

Last edited by Rhythmic; Oct 23, 2006 at 02:32 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2006 | 11:40 AM
  #2  
staticlag's Avatar
The Professor
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 7
From: Omaha, NE
have you checked coolant/ oil levels?
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2006 | 12:30 PM
  #3  
Rhythmic's Avatar
Thread Starter
Laid back in the pocket
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Blacksburg, VA
Oil level is good, but haven't checked coolant is a while.

How could those cause the odor in question?
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2006 | 05:05 PM
  #4  
Razz1's Avatar
Mu ha.. ha...
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,361
Likes: 3
From: Cali
Plastic bag on exhaust. Fumes from trucks. Could be several things.

If you have a problem it will occur regardless of speed. you smell it when the car is hot on a hot day.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2006 | 05:26 PM
  #5  
otherside's Avatar
I dont care...
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
From: Pleasantville
I think its the smell of Johnny Law....
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 02:23 AM
  #6  
staticlag's Avatar
The Professor
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 7
From: Omaha, NE
Heater core could be cracked.. thus the lowered coolant levels...

As for oil you never know... There are wayss.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 09:45 AM
  #7  
CAM427R's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Sounds just like the cat from the excess exhaust coming through when you run it hard. All vehicles have a smell if you hit them hard and run them up good. My chevy used to do that.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 10:20 AM
  #8  
aggietiff28's Avatar
Mean Green Keeny Machine
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: NRH
I would bet it is from the excess exhaust. I have a friend with a motorcycle and we were "playing" around on the highway. Accelerated hard to about 130 and he backed off because he thought something was wrong with his bike. Turned out it was coming from my exhaust.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 12:08 PM
  #9  
Rhythmic's Avatar
Thread Starter
Laid back in the pocket
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Blacksburg, VA
I do have a new SuperCat, maybe its still being "broken in"?
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 12:32 PM
  #10  
Shifty Devil's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Champaign, IL
Fear.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 01:09 PM
  #11  
CarAndDriver's Avatar
2005 Black RX-8 GT 6M
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,350
Likes: 0
From: San Jose Area
BO
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 01:30 PM
  #12  
zoom44's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 21,958
Likes: 115
From: portland oregon
the cat is stainless. all stainless comes with a thin oil film on it that burns off eventually. you're just getting the cat hot enough to burn off large quantities.

probably
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 02:04 PM
  #13  
Rhythmic's Avatar
Thread Starter
Laid back in the pocket
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Blacksburg, VA
^^^Thanks Zoom for the comforting words of wisdom...hopefully :P
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 07:42 PM
  #14  
Miker's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ont.
It's the Rock. You smell what the Rock is cooking.

Oh, Jesus...I'm relying on tired 1996 references now.

Back to real work now.
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2006 | 05:35 PM
  #15  
rau rally's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
well if you were driving a caviler like me it would be shat because its scary when you get over 80 and the whole dash shakes... but could you be your rings (hehe) any fresh mods??
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2006 | 06:46 PM
  #16  
jones75254's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Yeah man, when I had the Greddy sp2 and RP supercat put on it smells like a sweet/burning smell for like a day or two and then backs off. When you get on it hard, even to this day there is still a smell, thats just the way the car is. Yet i do drive like an idiot, so i smell that about 4-5 times a day! Thats why i got the RX8 in the first place, runs like a champ.
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2006 | 04:03 PM
  #17  
mid-life crisis's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, AZ
Originally Posted by zoom44
the cat is stainless. all stainless comes with a thin oil film on it that burns off eventually. you're just getting the cat hot enough to burn off large quantities.

probably
Approximately how long is eventually. Whenever I drive in a spirited fashion (higher rpms before shift), I notice the car smells when I get out. You cannot smell it in the cabin - only by the engine. The smell definitely correlates to higher engine temp. Could it be anything other than the cat?
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2006 | 11:20 PM
  #18  
Robowreck's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I have the same problem when I hit higher rpms or after running the car hard. I don't have any mods what so ever including cat. In most situations you can't smell it in the cabin unless the ac's on. It's a pretty strong burning smell though. Checked levels of everything. Don't know what the problem could be. *shrug*
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2006 | 11:42 PM
  #19  
theboy's Avatar
RX8 newbie!
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 0
all RX8 got that smell after a hard run.
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2006 | 07:40 PM
  #20  
zenmoused's Avatar
the stig is my hero
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: NC
It's the sweet smell of victory. Believe me, it's unmistakable.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ovr-9000
Series I Trouble Shooting
23
Apr 7, 2016 11:19 PM
XianUnix
Series I Trouble Shooting
6
Sep 29, 2015 03:48 PM
Jb4ker96
Series I Trouble Shooting
0
Sep 27, 2015 10:06 PM
Rx8_412
Series I Trouble Shooting
9
Sep 24, 2015 08:51 PM
CMRine04
Series I Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension
5
Sep 17, 2015 10:04 AM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:29 AM.