Burning smell after driving

[macphisto13]

I've had my 2.0L for almost 1000 miles now. Ever since I got it, I noticed a bad burning smell after driving. It smells somewhat chemical (like burning plastic or burning oil). It's not enough that makes me thing somethings on fire but it's not pleasant. When I first got it, I figured it was likely residue from the factory that needed to burn off. But now after having it for 1000 miles, I don't think that's the case. I don't see anything that causes concern under the hood. It drives fine from what I can tell.

So my question to the forum... is this normal? Is this what the 2.0L just smells like or do I need to take it in to have it looked at?

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[Jim1964]

Mine has never smelled like that.

 

[4Runfun]

Test drove a 2.0 Rubicon this weekend and when we got out, it smelled like something was burning. I asked the same question.. "Is that normal?" The dealer wasn't exactly sure and said, well it's only got 20 miles on it and likely needs to more time to burn in....

In your case, I would expect after 1000 miles, it would be gone. If it was me, I'd take it back to be checked out but others may have more experience

 

[Some Random Guy]

Did you check exhaust components for stickers? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a few posts about that happening.

 

[Jmos4]

Hi,

I don't have a 2.0, buy plenty of motors with turbos require a cool down period before you shut them down otherwise the oil in the turbo if already hot just boils, and over time doesn't do any of the turbo bearings any favors.

Maybe look to see if anything is mentioned in the owners manual if not maybe it's designed differently?

If it were me I'd give it a few minutes to cool down before shutting it off.

Regards,
Jim

 

[Impy5]

I had that with mine when I first got it. It did go away over time. Here's a link to the thread I started in 2020, not long but others had the same back then:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/engine-burning-smell.51031/

 

[vegasblue]

Hi,

I don't have a 2.0, buy plenty of motors with turbos require a cool down period before you shut them down otherwise the oil in the turbo if already hot just boils, and over time doesn't do any of the turbo bearings any favors.

Maybe look to see if anything is mentioned in the owners manual if not maybe it's designed differently?

If it were me I'd give it a few minutes to cool down before shutting it off.

Regards,
Jim

No. Not the case at all. I have the 2.0T and it takes care of itself. It's not oil cooled.

The smell is likely normal. If at 1000 miles, I would bet you have residual exhaust burn off or brakes seating. Run by the dealer and have them confirm of course.

 

[Headbarcode]

Hi,

I don't have a 2.0, buy plenty of motors with turbos require a cool down period before you shut them down otherwise the oil in the turbo if already hot just boils, and over time doesn't do any of the turbo bearings any favors.

Maybe look to see if anything is mentioned in the owners manual if not maybe it's designed differently?

If it were me I'd give it a few minutes to cool down before shutting it off.

Regards,
Jim

The turbo in the 2.0 has its own dedicated antifreeze coolant circuit, pump, and reservoir that is segregated from the engines cooling system. Antifreeze coolant is vastly more efficient at both heat absorption and rejection than engine oil. This 2.0 also has a liquid-cooled intercooler vs the traditional air to air intercooler. Even after a hot run, the temps will be pulled down by the time it's pulled into the driveway and shifted to park.

What you said about turbos that rely on the lower cooling factor of the lubricating oil is correct. After a hot run, it's best to idle the temp down by continuing to circulate oil through the turbos center bearing housing. Not doing so will allow a hot enough bearing to boil off the liquid end of the oil, leaving the hard elements behind in the form of a glass hard and very abrasive carbon residue. This residue will build and begin to score the bearing races, leading to premature wear and failure. This process is known as "oil coking". Synthetic oils are far more resistant to coking than fossil oils, but the bearing shaft seals will still greatly appreciate some idling to pull the temps down.

 

[vegasblue]

The turbo in the 2.0 has its own dedicated antifreeze coolant circuit, pump, and reservoir that is segregated from the engines cooling system. Antifreeze coolant is vastly more efficient at both heat absorption and rejection than engine oil. This 2.0 also has a liquid-cooled intercooler vs the traditional air to air intercooler. Even after a hot run, the temps will be pulled down by the time it's pulled into the driveway and shifted to park.

What you said about turbos that rely on the lower cooling factor of the lubricating oil is correct. After a hot run, it's best to idle the temp down by continuing to circulate oil through the turbos center bearing housing. Not doing so will allow a hot enough bearing to boil off the liquid end of the oil, leaving the hard elements behind in the form of a glass hard and very abrasive carbon residue. This residue will build and begin to score the bearing races, leading to premature wear and failure. This process is known as "oil coking". Synthetic oils are far more resistant to coking than fossil oils, but the bearing shaft seals will still greatly appreciate some idling to pull the temps down.

Admittedly after spirited driving or any trips that I have been driving for a long time, regarless of turbo or not I was always told to let the engine run for a little bit after before shutting off. Typically the last mile or so of the drive I back off and drive gently. Good practice all around.

 

[JSFoster75]

I've had my 2.0L for almost 1000 miles now. Ever since I got it, I noticed a bad burning smell after driving. It smells somewhat chemical (like burning plastic or burning oil). It's not enough that makes me thing somethings on fire but it's not pleasant. When I first got it, I figured it was likely residue from the factory that needed to burn off. But now after having it for 1000 miles, I don't think that's the case. I don't see anything that causes concern under the hood. It drives fine from what I can tell.

So my question to the forum... is this normal? Is this what the 2.0L just smells like or do I need to take it in to have it looked at?

My wife's has around 200 miles on it, we get the same smell, I just assumed it was the "newness" of all the parts although I've never noticed it on any other new car that I've bought?

 

[Headbarcode]

Admittedly after spirited driving or any trips that I have been driving for a long time, regarless of turbo or not I was always told to let the engine run for a little bit after before shutting off. Typically the last mile or so of the drive I back off and drive gently. Good practice all around.

Agreed. Regardless of turbo or not, I make the final approach into the neighborhood a gentler one. As horse people say, don't ride em hard and put em away wet.

 

[macphisto13]

Update (almost 9 months later)... The smell has gone away. Apparently I wasn't patient enough. I don't recall exactly how long after this original post but it was probably a month or so later with another 500-1000 miles. No problems or weird smells since (other than those coming from a lack of showering).

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