strong burning smell under aceleration.

[Kujoy]

Hi Guys.

My Galant V6, has started to give a strong burning smell while under hard acceleration, its even worse when using the kick down. AFT fluid was changed last year with Amsoil and still looks healthy and the levels look good. Gear change isn't quite a sharp as it was but only marginally. Is it the transmission or the Torque Converter?

Help...!!!!!!

[OrlandonOrtiz]

Burning smell... that could be a lot of things, mate.

Do you see any smoke coming out of the exhaust? In case YES, what color?

[Kujoy]

just the usual steam that comes the exhaust. No different to when I bought the car 18months ago, oil change and service was only done a fortnight back. All the O2 sensors work. Unfortunately my sense of smell is rubbish due to kind of work i do.. (as in I cant tell the difference between tea, coffee or salami, they all smell the same to me.)..

[OrlandonOrtiz]

Hmm, in this case the car is probably not burning oil.

And yours is a N/A V6, so it can't be the turbos either...

Does the transmission feel rough or lumpy when changing gears?

[Kujoy]

No the engine leaks a bit of oil, but its definitely not burning any. Its isn't quite a smooth changing gears as it was, but i've been driving like a grandad. There doesn't seem to be any slip yet. I read theres an inspection window for the torque converter? Would the oil seal going cause these symptoms?

[OrlandonOrtiz]

Hummm, I'm not sure, but I think that if your torque converter was smelling this bad, the car would also have to be running badly...

Perhaps your catalyst converter has gone bad and is clogged?

[Subaru ETA]

Not over filled with engine oil?

[Kujoy]

Oil level is at the top marker on the dip stick, i gave the engine a full service when the smell first appeared and it hasn't made any difference really? Can to much oil cause a smell like that? What about the oil seal on the torque converter? If it was leaking would it cause this?

[elnevio]

I would expect you to see ATF dribbling out underneath the car, near the front crossmember. I assume that the V6 autobox is similar to the VR-4 in that there is an inspection plate you can remove to look at the TC. Although that spins sufficiently fast that any rogue ATF would not stay on it! The only way it would be burning ATF from a TC seal leak, is if it is dribbling out the bottom and being blown along the underside of the car, onto the exhaust. The same for most burning smells really - the fluid getting sprayed/splashed onto a very hot bit of the car - usually manifolds, downpipes or exhaust.

[Subaru ETA]

My guess oil might have been spilt when draining/filling.

Too much oil can cause a smell if it's getting pumped out the exhaust or blown out somewhere else

[Danzul]

where is the oil leak u mentioned?
I have a v6 manual and every now and again (if i give it some stick on acceleration) i also get a burning smell, but it is caused by the engine burning off the small amout of oil that seeps out of the filler cap.
mine has never leaked enough to visibly effect the oil level on the dipstick and i vary very rarely need to top up the oil.

i would in your case get some one to jump in the car with you so that they can identify the smell for you.

[Kujoy]

both camshaft seals weep a bit, and the rear rocker cover has a small leak. It had a few more but they have been sorted. Smell is gradually getting more constant and i can smell it straight away from setting off, and the gear changes aren't as smooth as they were. I only get it when the gearbox is engaged, it doesn't seem to be there when i'm in neutral and rev the engine. Thanks for the help guys I will persevere and see where it leads me.

[Nick Mann]

Get the car up in the air and have a look at the oil underneath. My car was doing that and I am sure it was the torque converter seal beginning to weep. Under load the seal weeps more than on idle, the atf being flung out of the bellhousing would find it's way on to the downpipes and cause the smell.

It's too difficult a description to bet on any diagnosis, but that would be my best guess.

[Kujoy]

Thanks Nick. It may well be the seal but its a very slight leak if it is, i was just trying to find out if was gonna be a £5 replacement part or a full replacement trans. This is my first auto ever, and used to burning clutches on manuals. Im tempted to do this myself just to get a look at how it all works. How much do torque converters wear with it being a fluid based system?

How high does the car need to be off the floor to get the trans out on these? If it ever stops raining i might give it a go. What you looking at on these oil seals fitting in a garage? £400ish?