please close

 

It should either be a seized brake caliper or alignment problem. Too much camber will heat the tires up in one area which will cause the tire to smell

 

Does it smell like eggs? If so, cat converter?

 

Mine smells like burnt oil or burnt rubber. I have gotten used to it.

 

Ditto on the burnt oil smell.

 

Oil sending unit is on that side I think. Might be leaking a little and dripping on the manifold.

 

Check your tires for wear and check your tire pressure. A tire that is running low on air and is starting to deteriorate has a very bad odor.

 

please close

 

You didn't mention if it only occurs when you drive hard in your original post.

 

please close

 

Something leaked out and is burning off. The smell will be there for a week or more.

A likely culprit (from your description) is power steering fluid overflow. There is a air purge valve on the passenger side of the engine. Might also simply be road junk shot back on your muffler/cat.

As long as you don't smell gas from the engine area, I would guess you're ok

-td

 

I bought a 2002 911 cab a year ago, 30k miles & looks like new, had it checked out by a Porsche mechanic, have service records. looks like the past owner had the same problem, had the spark plug tube seals replaced(on left side). I get the oil smell after driving it an hour+, not while driving it but when stopped. I took it to my Porsche garage (good guys) and they tell me there are a few drops of oil on manifold due to cam cover gasket(on right side). to reseal gasket will cost $900 (need to pull engine). asked if that will fix it, he says no guaranty but "feels" that is the problem. anyone else been here? any advice will be appreciated. thanks, George

 

If there is any question the tech can add some fluorescent dye to the oil and let you drive the car a while then check the engine with a black light to spot where the oil is leaking.

If a shop won't guarantee they can seal the camshaft cover I'd not let them touch the camshaft cover. The camshaft cover on my Boxster came off to replace a bad solenoid then came off again to replace a bad actuator. Both times the dealer tech sealed the camshaft cover just fine.

The other side is leaking a tiny bit and when it gets bad enough I'll have him reseal that one.

 

Check the mufflers behind the rear tires. Small bits from the tires or pavement (asphalt, etc.) normally stick to the hot mufflers and burn. A common occurrence.

 

Despite the OP's pleadings to close the thread, alas, it lives on...

I get the faint oil/processed petroleum "aroma". Now, I usually have a pretty decent run through the twisties right before my neighborhood entrance so, things get exercised before I hit the garage. I figure there will be some odors as a result of spirited driving lingering upon shutdown.

TC