Hello All,
1995 Civic EX, 117000 miles.

I was driving in heavy rain last night. Suddenly I heard strange noise when I step down the gas. After I parked, I saw smoke out of front hood near the windshield and smells like burning rubber.

Today I drove it again locally for a test. After 10 miles, I start to smell the burning odor again and see little white smoke emitting from top of engine compartment. I am not sure where exactly part of engine it is from. But I am sure it is not from other parts under the hood. This time I did not hear the strange sound.

I double checked the engine oil level, coolant level and other fluid. They are fine.

Do you think it is because the water somehow got in to the engine? Or it is because of the water short the electrical circuit? Or it is not related to the rain last night.

Thank you so much for your suggestions and concern. All advices are welcome.

 

white smoke usually means coolant. open your hood and let it idle for a while until it starts smoking again. then you can tell where its from

 

Hi thanks for your suggestion.
I saw someone replyed that the smell of burning coolant is kind of "sweet" but I smell a burning rubber. What do you think? Plus, there is no obvious visable leakage under hood and no fluid droping undernearth the car.

Thanks

 

check your belts. if your smelling a burnt rubber smell you could have something wrong with a belts that drives the alternater,power steering, or a/c.just a guess.

 

You need to get under the car and take a good look. Use a flashlight. There's a lot of things that can cause a burning rubber smell. If it's oil, it's usually oil that is dripping onto the exhaust, or leaking onto the exhaust. Sometimes plastic grocery bags will get caught on the exhaust and burn for a while. Check your wheel well plastic, sometimes it gets folded back and rubs on the tire. You need to take a good look at the car though, we can't diagnose it with just a general smells like burnt rubber. Good luck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by midnightrider &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">check your belts. if your smelling a burnt rubber smell you could have something wrong with a belts that drives the alternater,power steering, or a/c.just a guess.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with this, something could have locked up causing the belt to wear away and ultimately start burning off. Start the car, pop the hood and take a look while the car is running. Keep an eye on all the pulleys and see if any drag, hang up or don't move at all.

Leaking oil won't simulate a burning rubber smell. As stated, there are too many variables to give you just a few options.

 

hi, thanks for your suggestions.
I wonder if that is because the head gasket blown. But I saw many video showing that while smoke coming from the back exhaust but not under the hood. Do you agree with me?