railroad-tar-like smell when offroading

[xandalf]

Hi folks, I have a 2023 Wrangler 4xe and the other day I was able to take it off-roading for the first time, and something really odd happened twice.

The trail was about 4 miles long and I had it in 4H-Part_Time, the trail wasn't too challenging but two times I had crossed over some larger boulders, railroad-tar-like smell started coming in from outside into the cab. I've crossed several rocky areas and this happened only on two of them. At first I though maybe the tires had rubbed on something, but couldn't see any contact points. I ruled out tires spinning in the rims because I have dual-side bead-locks that would prevent that from happening. Then I thought maybe the tires spun out of control on the slippery rock and the smell was burning tire, but after seeing online how quick traction control is to apply the brakes on spinning wheel, I eliminated that as suspect too. I don't see any oil or fluid leaks on the floor either. Also the incline wasn't too extreme to have oil get sucked through some PCV port and burn in the engine, and there was no visible smoke in the rear, or anywhere.

I'm a bit lost for ideas right now, has anyone ever encountered anything similar? Anyone have any additional ideas what I should check?

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[GATORB8]

If the Jeep is really new, you could be smelling something burning off the exhaust. If TC is engaging, could just be the new brakes since you use regen for a lot of braking in day to day.

 

[BDinTX]

Not super familiar with the 4xe but I could see if you were running in 4Hi the current draw requirement from an electric assist could really be up there. I'd be worried about cable insulation cooking off. Even if that's not what it was it might not be a bad idea to rock crawl in 4Lo. If you're not going over about 20mph 4Lo really reduces the load on the engine and keeps things cool.

 

[xandalf]

If the Jeep is really new, you could be smelling something burning off the exhaust. If TC is engaging, could just be the new brakes since you use regen for a lot of braking in day to day.

I was thinking it was too momentary, for something to have been burning off the exhaust.

Brakes are possible, but the smell didn't strike me as brake smell. Maybe I'll take the wheels off this weekend to take a closer look.

 

[xandalf]

Not super familiar with the 4xe but I could see if you were running in 4Hi the current draw requirement from an electric assist could really be up there. I'd be worried about cable insulation cooking off. Even if that's not what it was it might not be a bad idea to rock crawl in 4Lo. If you're not going over about 20mph 4Lo really reduces the load on the engine and keeps things cool.

I don't think it was the electrical motor and components, as I had already depleted the battery getting there. I was running on gas engine power

But I agree, that was my afterthought that I should have ran it in 4L. That way I could have used the lockers too.

 

[BDinTX]

While you're poking around under the hood check your coolant level. Not sure if the coolant is cooking off with the overflow tank right next to the turbo or it's just burping air. A lot of 2.0T's have had dry dipsticks when checked the first time.

 

[houstonstroker]

Did you tow your jeep to the off-road area?

 

[xandalf]

Did you tow your jeep to the off-road area?

No, drove it there.

Still haven't found anything that could have caused it.

 

[JerryWhite86]

If the Jeep is really new, you could be smelling something burning off the exhaust. If TC is engaging, could just be the new brakes since you use regen for a lot of braking in day to day.

I think this is the case.

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