Burning Rubber Smell
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Joined: Dec 2018
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Burning Rubber Smell
Ive got a 2018 SD with about 9k miles and Ive periodically noticed a strong smell of burnt rubber when Im getting out of the truck. The last two times Ive smelled it I had just come off the highway (I drive about 70-75 on avg), with the latest incident having a VERY strong smell. I immediately got up under the truck with a flashlight to look for smoke or anything making contact with the exhaust but didnt see any potential sources. I did notice one of the exhaust flange gaskets just downstream of the cat was smoking very lightly but after smelling it Im sure it wasnt the source. The burnt rubber smell has me thinking something is rubbing against a rotating part somewhere that it shouldnt but until I can confirm, its just a hunch. Anyone else experience this? Thoughts?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,698
Likes: 12,825
From: Wyoming
I had this happen the first time I towed my trailer. It was bad enough that I drove straight to the dealership, thinking I had something on fire. I think it's pretty normal now. At 11K miles mine doesn't stink as bad, but it will smell funny every once in a while. I was thinking it might be DEF injection as the dashboard gauge didn't indicate that a regen was in progress.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,698
Likes: 12,825
From: Wyoming
From the factory, you don't have that gauge. It can be turned on with FORSCAN or the dealer can do it.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 311
Likes: 50
I've got 32,000mi on mine and every now and then I still get that smell. Kinda like really hot metal or rubber. Totally normal.
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FTE Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Florida
Normal for a diesel about every 500 miles or so.
Both my 2017 and my 2019 F350 diesels have done this. The first time I was certain that my brakes were burning after I exited the interstate. It smelled like burning coffee.
The engine is going through a regen. If you monitor your instant MPG you will see a significant reduction in mpg during a regen. I was on a 60 mph road with no traffic and MPG was at 21 mpg. Then I looked at the dash and the mpg was at 10-12 mpg still at 60 mph with cruise engaged. I thought there was something major wrong with the engine so I slowed down and smelled the burning. I went back to 60 mph and mpg stayed like that for about 10 minutes then climbed back up to 21 mpg. It’s was going through a regen.
Both my 2017 and my 2019 F350 diesels have done this. The first time I was certain that my brakes were burning after I exited the interstate. It smelled like burning coffee.
The engine is going through a regen. If you monitor your instant MPG you will see a significant reduction in mpg during a regen. I was on a 60 mph road with no traffic and MPG was at 21 mpg. Then I looked at the dash and the mpg was at 10-12 mpg still at 60 mph with cruise engaged. I thought there was something major wrong with the engine so I slowed down and smelled the burning. I went back to 60 mph and mpg stayed like that for about 10 minutes then climbed back up to 21 mpg. It’s was going through a regen.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,339
Likes: 1,053
From: Florida
Ive got a 2018 SD with about 9k miles and Ive periodically noticed a strong smell of burnt rubber when Im getting out of the truck. The last two times Ive smelled it I had just come off the highway (I drive about 70-75 on avg), with the latest incident having a VERY strong smell. I immediately got up under the truck with a flashlight to look for smoke or anything making contact with the exhaust but didnt see any potential sources. I did notice one of the exhaust flange gaskets just downstream of the cat was smoking very lightly but after smelling it Im sure it wasnt the source. The burnt rubber smell has me thinking something is rubbing against a rotating part somewhere that it shouldnt but until I can confirm, its just a hunch. Anyone else experience this? Thoughts?
REGEN it is
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Freshman User
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Trailering
Joined: Jul 2008
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Same smell
This is an issue that goes beyond diesels. I see owners of the Maveric and Ranger talking about this as well. I have experienced it with my 2020 F150 5.0. It only happens with remote start on very cold days for me.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 574
I had this happen the first time I towed my trailer. It was bad enough that I drove straight to the dealership, thinking I had something on fire. I think it's pretty normal now. At 11K miles mine doesn't stink as bad, but it will smell funny every once in a while. I was thinking it might be DEF injection as the dashboard gauge didn't indicate that a regen was in progress.
