Burning smell coming from Engine

[clloyd069]

Pulled a utility trailer with three ATVs (around 3,000 lbs total load) up the mountain today. The grade is steep 5-6% for around 5 miles, with a steeper section of about 1 mile right before my turn off. My truck is relatively new....only 5,000 miles on it. Upon parking and getting out of the truck, a strong burning smell from the engine compartment was noticeable. At first I thought it was burning brake smell, but that wasn't the case, as I obviously wasn't using breaks pulling up the hill. Sniffed around a bit, and the smell was strong coming from the engine under the drivers side wheel well.

 

The guy I was with said "don't worry about it, new truck...still burning in the gaskets." I hopped back in the truck and noticed that it wasn't over heated or anything like that.....engine temp was around 220.

 

Any ideas? Am I being worried for nothing? 5.3 Liter engine.

[The Zip]

Fluids, oil, and gasoline have different smells, which one did it smell like? Did you fill any fluids or oil before the trip? If so, it could be overflow burning off the block.

[clloyd069]

Fluids, oil, and gasoline have different smells, which one did it smell like? Did you fill any fluids or oil before the trip? If so, it could be overflow burning off the block.

 

No fluids have been added. I'm by no means mechanically inclined, so I can't give a good description of the smell. Definalty not gas. The best I can do is say at first I thought it was burning brakes, but it wasn't.

[The Zip]

You'll probably hear the brakes before you smell them, but if you smell them it would be on a decline versus an incline. Could be antifreeze overflow bottle after the climb, I wouldn't be too concerned at this point if you are sure it wasn't gas and you don't see any leaks.

[chuckl1218]

No fluids have been added. I'm by no means mechanically inclined, so I can't give a good description of the smell. Definalty not gas. The best I can do is say at first I thought it was burning brakes, but it wasn't.

 

Sounds similar to my experience this week...Earlier this week after returning from running errands, I noticed a strong smell coming from the rear as I exited the cab near the rear tire that I thought was my brakes. Perhaps the parking brake was sticking? Wondered what else it could be...turned out to be a plastic bag that had caught onto the exhaust pipe behind the muffler and melted all over the tail pipe. Stunk really bad. Removed it with a heat gun, putty knife and Scotch Brite pad...check to see if a plastic bag caught onto your exhaust anywhere including the manifolds.

[Nathan79]

Different truck but my previous one was 2012 5.3. When towing every time we would pull over at rest stops you could definitely smell the hot engine. I just attributed it to the hotter fluids when towing, maybe burning off dirt and grime from the road. It never showed an issue after 30k miles.

[The Zip]

..turned out to be a plastic bag that had caught onto the exhaust pipe behind the muffler and melted all over the tail pipe. Stunk really bad.

 

Yeah, you're right. Forgot to add melted plastic smells.