Burning smell from back of truck?

Hi everyone I'm new here but I hope someone can help me. I have a 2007 tacoma dbl cab and I am getting a like burning rubber smell from the rear of the truck. I don't see any warning lights on the dash. The oil and other fluids look good. I guess the transmission doesn;t have a dipstick? I checked the emergency brake and made sure it wasn't on. The funny thing about this is I smelled this after I got to work and when I drove home and parked in the garage I couldn't smell a trace of the burning smell. I'd appreciate any help in this. Thanks.

 

how many miles are on your rig, and have you changed you diff fluid?

 

34,500 miles. I haven't changed it.

 

Does it smell like rotten eggs? If it does its just poor quality gasoline your truck is burning. Its the cateletic converter. Nothing to worry about, just use better quality fuel.

 

Did you recently get it serviced? I know sometimes on my older tacoma excess grease from the u-joints after it was serviced would occasionally sling up on the exhaust and burn off

-Rich

 

Its been a long time since I've smelled burnt up gear oil...If it doesnt smell like hot brakes, maybe the rubber that is attached to the exhaust bracket is touching and melts when you are at operating temps.

Regardless, I'd go and change your diff fluid soon.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/24545-changing-differential-fluid-step-step-how.html

 

I have this problem on the Mazda....it's most likely not the same thing since burning brakes are an easy smell to point out but I hope you get it sorted out soon!

 

I haven't taken it in in a while. I didn't see anything touching the muffler but will look at it better when I get home. I will get the diff fluid changed as soon as possible just in case. I don't think it's the gas. Thanks for the help.

 

Yeah, I had one on mine and it was awful.

 

+1



That what I was going to say.

 

Check your spare too. I know my spare has some melt marks from being driven for long periods of time.

 

It just doesn't seem like a plastic bag could cause that much of a problem. That's how much I know. How long would it cause a problem? On the spare tire, what would cause that to have melt marks?

 

Did you or your neighbor HAVE a cat?


...and welcome to the funny farm.



"I have this problem on the Mazda...." (10 points for me)

 

The brackets that hold the tire snug can heat up and melt the rubber being in such close proximity to the exhaust. Nothing super serious. I've used my spare after I found the marks and it's just surface damage. Looks kinda wonky. But if you're smelling it super bad, maybe lower that bad boy down and have yourself a look see.

 

I'm going to lower the tire this weekend. I am missing a cat. But that was several years back.

 

I changed the diff oil a little while ago. brianr and chris4x4 thanks for the good write up on changing it. I wouldn't even had tried it without it. The process wasn't as pretty as yours but it worked. I looked around for any signs of the muffler burning anything and couldn't find it. I just got back from a 6 hour drive yesterday. Picked up the kids from summer camp. I stopped several times and never smelled anything burning. I will just keep looking for anything. Thanks everyone.

 

Wow really? I could say "I have this problem with a 40 year old Suzuki" and it could still be relevant. (10 point for me)
Wtf?

 

Mine smells like that whenever I spin the rear tires!!
Sorry... I had to.