J. Laxa-Malit

So I know from looking around on the forum that this is a relatively common problem, especially for 04's but whenever I look at any of the other posts it only meets a part of the criteria of problems for my car.

Ok so here's the story.

I'm driving home from school, the weather isn't that bad...maybe about 75 degrees outside and I come to a stop light. As soon as i get to a full stop, the car rumbles a little bit, the engine idles, shuts off, the check engine and all other lights come on, but the music and dash still stay on and smoke comes out from the right side of the hood and through the air conditioning vents, along with a burning smell. But, the thing is, I can immediately restart the car and drive off as if nothing ever happened...except for the smoke and the burning rubber smell, which tells me it's not the engine coolant (at least I don't think). It's happened about 3 or 4 times but the smoke has only happened about twice and the other two occasions were only a burning smell.

It doesn't happen all the time but it happens more than it should, which should be never at all. Looking at other posts I'm guessing it might be the coils or the CAT? But i'm not really sure so I'm posting exactly what's going on with my car specifically. I'm thinking it's a culmination of a few things...what do you guys think?

Thanks...

Mazurfer

Tough to really tell.

If in the US, coils are on the drivers side, and doubtful that is it anyway based on what you have described. Especially if you haven't had a consistant CEL on. I've heard of coils actually smoking but then it's ballgame over for them and apparently you aren't dealing with that.

Don't think it's the CAT clogging either as you say it doesn't happen much, but there is a way to check that....do some searches. You can basically take it loose at the front, pull it to the side and peer in with a flashlight.

You say smoke and not steam right?
You say "burning rubber smell", you sure about the burning rubber smell?
Could this be a belt by chance????? Check them for any signs of damage!

Could you have a small oil leak?
Have you ever seen any under the car?
Start looking around in the engine bay and see if you spot any oil anywhere.
This again doesn't really explain the stalling issue, so I wonder if you have more than one thing going on that appear related, but may not be?

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

Stalling could be due to a poor or loose battery terminal connection or connections

Mazurfer

Ya know............I figured I miss something!

J. Laxa-Malit

Actually...let me correct myself. It's more steam than smoke.
But with the burning rubber smell I'm positive it's a burning rubber smell. But there's no leaks..I've checked all around and the only thing that happens is the engine steams from the right side when I'm looking under the hood.

I have no idea of what it could be...especially when it happens I can just put it in park turn the engine off then restart it like nothing ever happened.

Is it a bad idea for me to do that too?

J. Laxa-Malit

so loose battery connections could cause it to steam and a burning rubber smell? I understand the stalling out thing but the rest just gets me.

Mazurfer

No, I'm pretty sure he was addressing the stalling issue only with the battery comment.

Okay, so now it appears to be steam, and from the right side when looking in the engine bay, you see no leaks and still has a burned rubber smell. Hmmmmmm...............confusing..........I'll have to think some more.
And still no CEL right?

When this does happen how long has the car been on and how hard has it been driven?
I understand you say it goes away if you simply turn it off and back on.

Just for grins.............how long since last coil/wire change?

It's still confusing as I'm leaning towards a small coolant leak when I read some of this and coils when I read some other parts.
For the sake of argument, you aren't loosing and coolant are you?

I'm kinda stumped at the moment, but I would definetely pop that hood and see where steam is coming from next time it happens before shutting it off and see if you can tell where it's coming from. I have heard of CATs actually smoking into the engine bay, but I just don't think that's it right now.

I also assume you have zero warning lights coming on........right?

J. Laxa-Malit

For how long it's running...it usually happens around 25-30 minutes of driving when I come to a stop. I always use the tiptronic or activematic if you want to be proper when I drive and I dont let it get past 6000rpms....at least not on the occasions when it shuts down. But no..no fluid leaks. Next time it happens I'll double check for sure.

I'm gonna have to double check with the dealer about the last coil change because I just got the damn thing two weeks ago.

No CEL..no warning lights and I just put oil in it the other day too.

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

whats your coolant level? any over heating? a coolant leak onto the cat would cause a bad smell and steam.

J. Laxa-Malit

Engine stalling out and dying too?