'98 Impreza Outback Sport - burnt rubber smell

[JimboJumbo]

The other day, after driving about 40 miles on the highway on a hot day,
and I noticed a burnt rubber smell. I opened the hood and didn't notice
the smell coming form the engine area. I sniffed around and the smell
was strongest in the area of the driver's side front tire. The tire
looks okay. Any ideas what could be causing this? Thanks in advance.

Jimbo

 

[Body Roll]

The other day, after driving about 40 miles on the highway on a hot day,
and I noticed a burnt rubber smell. I opened the hood and didn't notice
the smell coming form the engine area. I sniffed around and the smell
was strongest in the area of the driver's side front tire. The tire
looks okay. Any ideas what could be causing this? Thanks in advance.

Not sure. But I get a lot of that during lead footed driving. I think
this is perfectly normal.
My old Legacy did the same.

I love it. So should you

 

[Greg R]

My '97 Impreza does the exacct same thing. I don't notice it so much
while driving (moving) but when sitting at a red light. It's been
happening for several years and nothing bad has ever come of it. I
recently noticed some foam rubber insulation sticking out from the top
of my radiator (near the cap under the trim piece over the radiator
itself). After driving I smell the burning rubber like smell from this
area. Maybe the foam rubbern insulation begins to break down and loses
it's ability to hold up to the heat of the radiator?

 

[D&SW]

Yup, had a '99 impreza with the same stink. Nothing ever came of it after
90K miles.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

The other day, after driving about 40 miles on the highway on a hot day,
and I noticed a burnt rubber smell. I opened the hood and didn't notice
the smell coming form the engine area. I sniffed around and the smell
was strongest in the area of the driver's side front tire. The tire
looks okay. Any ideas what could be causing this? Thanks in advance.

Jimbo

Feel of the wheel and confirm it isn't any hotter than the other side.
Check tire pressure. Check the CV boot for splattering grease onto exhaust.

Carl