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Re: Burning Rubber?
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 3:41 am
by BFG
Have you checked your front brake calipers are not siezed? Might need new sliding pins/caliper seals replacing.
See if your hubs are hot when you are getting the burning smell (this would also account for your high MPG).
Re: Burning Rubber?
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:49 am
by White Mule
Thanks for that BFG.
I checked the upper ball joint/tire friction, but it was clear (by about half inch, thanks Snelson)
I got to work at 0630hrs and no smell at all today.
I will check out BFG's suggestion next.
Re: Burning Rubber?
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:39 pm
by scohar
White Mule wrote:Thanks for that BFG.
I checked the upper ball joint/tire friction, but it was clear (by about half inch, thanks Snelson)
I got to work at 0630hrs and no smell at all today.
I will check out BFG's suggestion next.
ARGH, now I have the infamous rubber burning smell also, ive checked everything I can think of, and mine seems to be when its cold after driving about 1km, after that it goes away, Our cold here in NZ is nothing like your cold so its not the temp.
Re: Burning Rubber?
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:02 pm
by thedjjack
thedjjack wrote:Balance shaft belt ok?
Just looked at Delica yesterday that the balance shaft took out the timing belt...checked your belts and tensioners?
Re: Burning Rubber?
Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 6:45 am
by White Mule
The belts are all fine.
The e-brake is fine.
The front discs are not warm, but hot to the touch! And this is after 5min in park.
So if the calipers are the culprit, what parts do I need? (Rocky Mountain are you reading this too?)
Re: Burning Rubber? SOLVED!
Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 7:23 am
by White Mule
My co-workers are all reporting the same smell under the same conditions.
It turns out that here in Calgary we are using "beet juice" on the roads, and this juice will splash up on hot parts of the vehicle producing a rubber/burning smell.
Its intermitent because some days the roads are dry.
I will still inspect my brakes.
Re: Burning Rubber?
Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 7:34 am
by jaggedfish
Good news! Sounds like you might have the problem beet...

... hahahahahahaha... haha... ha... sorry.
Seriously tho, that is interesting to learn and strange at the same time. Wonder what the science behind that is other than it is organic so it suits Calgary's environmental drainage bylaws?
Cheers! Ian
Re: Burning Rubber?
Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 8:25 am
by DelicaMark
Thought the "beet juice" was maybe a nickname for some other toxic ooze....apparently not.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Business/b ... story.html
Re: Burning Rubber?
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 5:44 pm
by madmazda
White mule if your brakes are sticking you might have sticky slider bolts..... an easy fix you just need high temp silicone grease cdn tire sells it make sure you clean them well.... I did all mine this fall but I have a sticky caliper and am waiting to get them..... that might also be your problem....