xymergy@suds.com

What could be some causes for suddenly smelling an odor of burning
rubber or something similarly acrid? This comes and goes, it's not
constant, and it just started yesterday.

98.5 2.8 A4

Hairy One Kenobi

<xymergy@suds.com> wrote in message
news:4rql00lu2pdii5idg61edkls4mj0925cgi@4ax.com...
> What could be some causes for suddenly smelling an odor of burning
> rubber or something similarly acrid? This comes and goes, it's not
> constant, and it just started yesterday.

In my case, a plastic carrier bag stuck itself to the exhaust.

Nasty, and quite hard to spot (it also coincided with my neighbour driving
into the back of the car on my driveway.. \ )

--

Hairy One Kenobi

Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the opinion
in the first place. So there!

squid

On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 23:43:53 -0000, "Hairy One Kenobi"
<abuse@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:

><xymergy@suds.com> wrote in message
>news:4rql00lu2pdii5idg61edkls4mj0925cgi@4ax.com.. .
>> What could be some causes for suddenly smelling an odor of burning
>> rubber or something similarly acrid? This comes and goes, it's not
>> constant, and it just started yesterday.
>
>In my case, a plastic carrier bag stuck itself to the exhaust.
>
>Nasty, and quite hard to spot (it also coincided with my neighbour driving
>into the back of the car on my driveway.. \ )

This is probably an oil leak from the camshaft/adjuster seals leaking
onto the exhaust. This is apparently a common occurance with th 2.8.
See audiworld.com for discussions re. Search under "cam oil leak"

xymergy@suds.com

On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 23:59:38 GMT, squid <SquID@SQUIDCO.COM> wrote:

>><xymergy@suds.com> wrote in message
>>news:4rql00lu2pdii5idg61edkls4mj0925cgi@4ax.com. ..
>>> What could be some causes for suddenly smelling an odor of burning
>>> rubber or something similarly acrid? This comes and goes, it's not
>>> constant, and it just started yesterday.
>
>This is probably an oil leak from the camshaft/adjuster seals leaking
>onto the exhaust. This is apparently a common occurance with th 2.8.
>See audiworld.com for discussions re. Search under "cam oil leak"

Sounds possible. How urgent is this, given that it just started?
Would you fix it immediately or wait a week or so?

JPF

In addition to that all too common leak, the output of the
transmission to the rear driveshaft also leaks right onto the
converter. It is rarely ythe seal itself, although it is frequently
replaced. There is a small cover directly above it that weeps oil.

On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 23:59:38 GMT, squid <SquID@SQUIDCO.COM> wrote:

>On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 23:43:53 -0000, "Hairy One Kenobi"
><abuse@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>
>><xymergy@suds.com> wrote in message
>>news:4rql00lu2pdii5idg61edkls4mj0925cgi@4ax.com. ..
>>> What could be some causes for suddenly smelling an odor of burning
>>> rubber or something similarly acrid? This comes and goes, it's not
>>> constant, and it just started yesterday.
>>
>>In my case, a plastic carrier bag stuck itself to the exhaust.
>>
>>Nasty, and quite hard to spot (it also coincided with my neighbour driving
>>into the back of the car on my driveway.. \ )
>
>This is probably an oil leak from the camshaft/adjuster seals leaking
>onto the exhaust. This is apparently a common occurance with th 2.8.
>See audiworld.com for discussions re. Search under "cam oil leak"

xymergy@suds.com

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 00:27:27 GMT, JPF
<frickjphasgrownwearyofspam@noemail.net> wrote:

>In addition to that all too common leak, the output of the
>transmission to the rear driveshaft also leaks right onto the
>converter. It is rarely ythe seal itself, although it is frequently
>replaced. There is a small cover directly above it that weeps oil.

This car is a 5-speed, so not likely to have this particular leak, but
thanks very much for posting the possibility.

>On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 23:59:38 GMT, squid <SquID@SQUIDCO.COM> wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 23:43:53 -0000, "Hairy One Kenobi"
>><abuse@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>>
>>><xymergy@suds.com> wrote in message
>>>news:4rql00lu2pdii5idg61edkls4mj0925cgi@4ax.com ...
>>>> What could be some causes for suddenly smelling an odor of burning
>>>> rubber or something similarly acrid? This comes and goes, it's not
>>>> constant, and it just started yesterday.
>>>
>>>In my case, a plastic carrier bag stuck itself to the exhaust.
>>>
>>>Nasty, and quite hard to spot (it also coincided with my neighbour driving
>>>into the back of the car on my driveway.. \ )
>>
>>This is probably an oil leak from the camshaft/adjuster seals leaking
>>onto the exhaust. This is apparently a common occurance with th 2.8.
>>See audiworld.com for discussions re. Search under "cam oil leak"

squid

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 00:25:58 GMT, xymergy@suds.com wrote:

>On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 23:59:38 GMT, squid <SquID@SQUIDCO.COM> wrote:
>
>>><xymergy@suds.com> wrote in message
>>>news:4rql00lu2pdii5idg61edkls4mj0925cgi@4ax.com ...
>>>> What could be some causes for suddenly smelling an odor of burning
>>>> rubber or something similarly acrid? This comes and goes, it's not
>>>> constant, and it just started yesterday.
>>
>>This is probably an oil leak from the camshaft/adjuster seals leaking
>>onto the exhaust. This is apparently a common occurance with th 2.8.
>>See audiworld.com for discussions re. Search under "cam oil leak"
>
>Sounds possible. How urgent is this, given that it just started?
>Would you fix it immediately or wait a week or so?

As long as your oil level doesn't drop too low. Just keep an eye on
the level, but I'd get it looked after soon.

I have a 2000 A6 2,8 Q that was purchased last June. This problem
indicated itself with an acrid odor issuing from the heater at around
60,000 km. . It was diagnosed rather quickly and repaired under Audi
Assured warranty for the $50.00 deductable but the service tech said
it was a 6 hr job + parts. As stated it is quite common for these
engines to leak at the camshaft seals.

xymergy@suds.com

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 23:28:44 GMT, squid <SquID@SQUIDCO.COM> wrote:

>On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 00:25:58 GMT, xymergy@suds.com wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 23:59:38 GMT, squid <SquID@SQUIDCO.COM> wrote:
>>
>>>><xymergy@suds.com> wrote in message
>>>>news:4rql00lu2pdii5idg61edkls4mj0925cgi@4ax.co m...
>>>>> What could be some causes for suddenly smelling an odor of burning
>>>>> rubber or something similarly acrid? This comes and goes, it's not
>>>>> constant, and it just started yesterday.
>>>
>>>This is probably an oil leak from the camshaft/adjuster seals leaking
>>>onto the exhaust. This is apparently a common occurance with th 2.8.
>>>See audiworld.com for discussions re. Search under "cam oil leak"
>>
>>Sounds possible. How urgent is this, given that it just started?
>>Would you fix it immediately or wait a week or so?
>
>As long as your oil level doesn't drop too low. Just keep an eye on
>the level, but I'd get it looked after soon.
>
>I have a 2000 A6 2,8 Q that was purchased last June. This problem
>indicated itself with an acrid odor issuing from the heater at around
>60,000 km. . It was diagnosed rather quickly and repaired under Audi
>Assured warranty for the $50.00 deductable but the service tech said
>it was a 6 hr job + parts. As stated it is quite common for these
>engines to leak at the camshaft seals.

Damn. Mine is a 98.5 A4 2.8 Q, and today my friendly (really, they
are friendly, I like them a lot) dealer told me 9 hours, $900. OWCH!
I have not smelled the smell since yesterday, but your point about
watching the oil level is well taken, thanks for making it.