A few months ago I switched over to a walker BTM on my 2001 7.3 F350 and worked great. A few days later I started to get a faint smell of "hot metal" at random times.. So i thought it may have been something burning off the muffler (paint, etc) so I ignored it. About that time I noticed a shake in the front end and though the burning smell was coming from a bad caliper heating up the pads. Well, changed the 4 rotors, and the front were only about 1/2 worn.

But I still get that smell some times when the truck is started up or returning from a drive.

I had it in for an engine check the other day at the ford just to check the engines general health. Everything came back ok on the tests they ran during their diagonstics. (They did find one code p1670 and a p0284 (cyl #8 contribution/balance, but the mechanic talked to the senior diesel mechanic there and he said that was common and nothing to worry about) I do also have a hypertech chip, going to remove/reinstall it incase something is acting up there)





Anyone have any suggestions as to what would be causing that hot metal smell sometimes? It is stronger on the drivers side but is not always there..

No check engine lights are on and truck seems to be running ok. (I may have a small leak around my donut.. would that do it?) (up pipe leaks and EGT temps maybe?)

Thanks!

 

You could have up pipe leaks or the insulation on the firewall is on the pipes. You should be able to tell by looking with a mirror and flashlight.

 

Thanks, Will have a look tomorrow.

The mechanic at ford told me that there seems to be a small leak on th drivers side but if I didnt notice power loss, fumes or the noise dont bother me that he wouldnt worry about it as the donuts are a pain to replace.

After researching the up pipes tonight, those will be on my to do list.

Thanks!