[redeye]

Hi guys,
So I've been noticing an electrical burn odor coming from the front of the engine in the past couple weeks. It's pretty noticeable, even when parking the car and walking in front of it. I've taken it to the Subaru dealership (still under warranty) and they said that not only could they NOT smell anything, but they didn't find anything wrong. Of course they charged me $45 to plug it into their diagnostic machine.

I'm stumped. There are zero fluid leaks. In fact you could eat off my engine it's so clean.

I must also add that the car has been involved in a front end accident, and although no engine damage occurred, they did have to remove/reinstall the radiator during the course of the bumper replacement. But this doesn't remotely smell like coolant.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance and I hope I posted this in the correct area.

-Ed

[boondocksaint]

I heard something like this before. I vaguely remember.

Check the AC drain hose. If it's touching something hot, it'll melt. The electrical burn odor is usually the wire covers melting, and that drain hose burning can smell that way. Look around the downpipe area.

Also, bump for more opinions. I could easily be mistaken.

[redeye]

I'm going to check this momentarily since I'll be out there trying out a new polish.

Where would the AC drain hose be in relation to say, the plastic silencer piece (which I've removed)?

Thanks!

[boondocksaint]

Originally Posted by redeye

I'm going to check this momentarily since I'll be out there trying out a new polish.

Where would the AC drain hose be in relation to say, the plastic silencer piece (which I've removed)?

Thanks!

WAY back toward the firewall. Basically, just make sure nothing plastic is coming in contact with the hot stuff (downpipe, turbo heat shield, etc.) and look for things that are melted.

[redeye]

Gotta resurrect this thread. This smell is driving me nuts because I just can't locate where it's coming from.
The main thing I want to make sure of is that it's not indicative of a problem.

I don't see anything melted anywhere under the hood.

Any additional ideas anyone?

[upncummr]

You can smell it but the dealer can't.

See if you can get someone else to try and smell it (e.g. wife, girlfriend, co-worker, friend, etc.)

If they can't smell it, maybe you're nose is working overtime.

If they can smell it, then check the area near where recent work was performed. Is the radiator fan stuck, is a belt rubbing, is anything out of place (e.g. wiring, covers, etc.)?

Does anything feel warm or hotter than normal (e.g. coolant resevoir, headlights, cruise control module, etc.)

Wish I could be more helpful.

Gary

[redeye]

The dealer cannot smell it, although I hesitate to trust them. Call me paranoid. My wife and at least one friend CAN smell it.

The radiator was removed when the front bumper was replaced, but I don't see any evidence of problems.

I haven't actually tried to see if anything feels hotter after shutting down the engine. It all feels hot as hell under there anyway. But now I'm real curious as to the radiator fan. I don't remember ever seeing it running.

[n2oiroc]

there are 2 sets of wires on the radiator fans that can get close to the header if they arent secured properly, start by checking those. they are at the bottom corners of the radiator.

[upncummr]

Originally Posted by redeye

The dealer cannot smell it, although I hesitate to trust them. Call me paranoid. My wife and at least one friend CAN smell it.

The radiator was removed when the front bumper was replaced, but I don't see any evidence of problems.

I haven't actually tried to see if anything feels hotter after shutting down the engine. It all feels hot as hell under there anyway. But now I'm real curious as to the radiator fan. I don't remember ever seeing it running.

Rather than let the car run until it's really, really hot, maybe you can warm it up just until you smell the electrical burning smell. Then it won't be so hard to touch and feel various components.

If you think the smell is coming from the front of the car, check that area first.

In the meantime, it might be a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in the car in case something really overheats.

Gary

[redeye]

At first light I'll be under the hood. That's the most promising lead yet I think.

Thanks. I'll update with what I find...

[neverendingmods]

Was the rad or rad fan pushed far enough back to touch pullies? I'd suspect a pulley to be bent and causing belt to rub. The timing belt on the EJ series motors is known to be easily damaged during a front end collision. The rad and fan is RIGHT there.

[redeye]

No the pullies are fine. Honestly it seems to originate from the alternator. Maybe it's going bad?

Also, what the heck is that little plastic part next to the alternator...it's got 3 little hoses running to it. Looks like a PCV valve, but with my limited knowledge and no documentation I'm not sure.

Anyway, that little part is making a fairly loud noise, like a whine sort of. If it's a PCV valve I'll just swap it out.