Funny Smell After Revving

[superfrog]

I bought my '02 WRX two months ago, and just recently started smelling a
plasticy/rubbery burning smell after a medium high rev (4000 rpms or so).
For example, while backing out a friend's steep driveway (moving uphill),
I ran the revs a little high as I brought up the clutch. Immediately
after, I smelled a burning plasticy smell. It's not burning rubber or oil,
and I'm stumped. I've driven standard all my life and never encountered
that smell. I doubt it's clutch, but I don't know. Any help? Thanks.

Jim

 

[David Betts]

I bought my '02 WRX two months ago, and just recently started smelling a
plasticy/rubbery burning smell after a medium high rev (4000 rpms or so).
For example, while backing out a friend's steep driveway (moving uphill),
I ran the revs a little high as I brought up the clutch. Immediately
after, I smelled a burning plasticy smell. It's not burning rubber or oil,
and I'm stumped. I've driven standard all my life and never encountered
that smell. I doubt it's clutch, but I don't know. Any help? Thanks.

It's clutch. Won't last very long if you keep slipping it like that.

David Betts
(e-mail address removed)

 

[*Vanguard*]

"superfrog" <(e-mail address removed)>
wrote in

I bought my '02 WRX two months ago, and just recently started
smelling a plasticy/rubbery burning smell after a medium high rev
(4000 rpms or so). For example, while backing out a friend's steep
driveway (moving uphill), I ran the revs a little high as I brought
up the clutch. Immediately after, I smelled a burning plasticy smell.
It's not burning rubber or oil, and I'm stumped. I've driven standard
all my life and never encountered that smell. I doubt it's clutch,
but I don't know. Any help? Thanks.

Jim

When I had that smell, turned out to be the alternator. I checked the
voltage across the battery and only got 11.8 volts. Should've been 13.5
to 14.4 volts. Bearings went bad, generated heat, and was melting the
varnish on the windings. The smell went away when the car got parked
but came back when I revved it up to drive it.

 

[Don]

"superfrog" <(e-mail address removed)>
wrote in


When I had that smell, turned out to be the alternator. I checked the
voltage across the battery and only got 11.8 volts. Should've been 13.5
to 14.4 volts. Bearings went bad, generated heat, and was melting the
varnish on the windings. The smell went away when the car got parked
but came back when I revved it up to drive it.

Could have been a partially shorted cell in the battery? An '02 should
still be under warrantee, unless you are a farm equipment salesman who
drives a WRX to cut down trip times. Have the dealer check it out. The
battery won't be under warrantee if he does the checking or you.
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