@Kazuhito
i think its something wrong with the air circulation setting...(the button whether circulate inside only or both).....or also maybe leakage on the firewall??(guess only)....

My bet is that its a slipping clutch causing the smell,friends waja had the same problem and he ended up converting it to manual.

Definitely have it checked out.

what was the cause of the problem? any idea?

..slipped gears in auto transmission is related to ATF. TS should notice harsh gear shifting if this is the issue.
since the smell came from engine compartment, why don't TS go for an engine wash? might able to dissolve any spilled lubricant, if there's any.

This post has been edited by kapal: Jun 17 2009, 02:48 PM

I think you should check the aircond compressor's clutch, maybe it's slipping. one more thing is, you should check crank pulley, maybe the rubber damper already peel off causing it to slip.

i got the same problem, and my suspect went to spark plug

i changed the spark plug and the smell gone

the smell is like imperfect combustion....duno how to say

im using auto, turbo engine :0

Intermediate car mechanic here.

if smells like rubber burning, most probably the belts brushed against the mounting (the round thing that holds the belt in place and oso moves the belt). u have to check this on the alternator, air-cond compressor and oso ur timing belt. faulty bearings on the mountings can also cause this problem.

good luck in doing thorough inspection!

My car also have this weird smell, not engine smell or brake.

it just disappear for let say few weeks or mths & reappear again.

Even with aircon OFF & Door window down.

my city idsi also same,when accelerate hard then got the burning smell
i do wash my engine frequently,there is no leakage of any fluids
all windows r close

Must be the catalytic converter! I had the same problem on my smart until I remove it permanently.

U see, all vehicle cabin are not 100% sealed and odour from outside will seep in.

catalytic converter?
what is that and how does it looks?

Usually it looks like this...



If u notice...some car that accelerate very fast@high rpm....and u are behind it.....u can smell something like entering a saloon smell...

yaya something like saloon smell also
can just remove it like that?
wont affect anything to the car?

Depends. On some cars with dual O2 sensors, Check Engine warning will come on if the rear sensor is not position properly.

If your car only has 1 sensor (usually at the exhaust manifold), removing the cat won't harm it. It will however harm the environment (but who cares anyway). After the decat process, u may get 10-15% power gain.