Burning Smell From Engine While Reversing on Ramp

[CK99]

Hello All,

I have a '24 Emira and have about 1,200 miles. I am planning to do my own oil change (thanks to Forum Foundry Films on YT). I have a set of racing ramps that I wanted to use to get the back end up. So as a test, I placed the ramp in the garage and slowly reversed up the ramp. It took several minutes to have my son line up the ramp and my wife to check to make sure the front end didn't scrap as I backed up the ramp.

I did this from a cold start - meaning, started the car (no warm up driving etc.). After several attempts, up and down the ramp, realigning ramps, etc. the ramp works. However, my son was coughing - thinking it was just the exhaust. I drove down the ramp and entered the garage and wow. There was burning smell coming from the engine. Like burning rubber or oil. I really can't tell. I was concerned but couldn't figure out what would cause the burning smell. This is the first time in 1+ years I had this smell. I decided to drive the car around to try to "burn up" the smell and it worked.

Does anyone know what would have caused the smell? This only happened during the backing-up-the-ramp test.

Thanks!

 

[Kimmax]

well easiest guess would be the clutch by extensive slipping given you took a few tries and probably not going up the ramp at 12-14km/h

 

[seriously]

Same guess. Were you slipping the clutch a lot?

 

[CK99]

Yes I have a manual and yes, the clutch was partially depressed while I inching up the ramp. Full disclosure, Emira is my first manual car so I'm not the best.

Should I be concerned?

 

[geoffbland]

Yes I have a manual and yes, the clutch was partially depressed while I inching up the ramp. Full disclosure, Emira is my first manual car so I'm not the best.

It'll be the clutch - it really stinks doesn't it - like burning rubber and plastic.

Should I be concerned?

Almost certainly not, you've just taken a few miles of the life-time of the clutch pads - they are a disposable item and that's what they are there for.

 

[CK99]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Feel much more informed and better. Cheers!

 

[geoffbland]

Full disclosure, Emira is my first manual car so I'm not the best.

Just thinking if you are new to a manual transmission and this is the first time you've ridden on the clutch like this - then you must be a pretty fast learner.

 

[CK99]

Just thinking if you are new to a manual transmission and this is the first time you've ridden on the clutch like this - then you must be a pretty fast learner.

Funny story. Before I purchased the car, dealer called to say they had a travel Emira for test drive. Scheduled a drive. Right out of the dealer, was a red light. You guessed, I stalled it! On the way back, on a red light. Stalled it. . Can't imagine what the sales rep must have been thinking.

It's been over a year and having a blast!

 

[VL3X]

Pro tip: Jack up the rear of the car and just slide the ramps under the wheels one at a time. It's much easier and safer. I have the Rhino ramps and they'd slide all over the place after I had my floor done. I ended up cutting up an old yoga mat to keep them in place. After a few close calls, I learned to just jack it up and slide the ramps under the wheels.

 

[CK99]

Pro tip: Jack up the rear of the car and just slide the ramps under the wheels one at a time. It's much easier and safer. I have the Rhino ramps and they'd slide all over the place after I had my floor done. I ended up cutting up an old yoga mat to keep them in place. After a few close calls, I learned to just jack it up and slide the ramps under the wheels.

OH... Great idea. Thanks!

 

[VL3X]

OH... Great idea. Thanks!

No problem. Those ramps are sketchy, especially when working 3 pedals!

Also, the front jack points can be hard to reach with most floor jacks. If you have 2 jacks you can jack up the rear just a little and then have more clearance up front to slide in your second jack to the front point.

 

[CK99]

Question for the experienced folks... The plan for the oil change is to lift the back end, drain the oil, change the filter, button everything up, then lower the car and fill oil.

Do I need to raise the front end as well to drain the oil?

 

[seriously]

Don’t worry too much. Backing up onto those racing ramps is pretty difficult to do since you don’t want to give too much power but need to move the car. You’ll get better at it!

 

[CK99]

Don’t worry too much. Backing up onto those racing ramps is pretty difficult to do since you don’t want to give too much power but need to move the car. You’ll get better at it!

Thank you.

 

[virtualmacho]

Question for the experienced folks... The plan for the oil change is to lift the back end, drain the oil, change the filter, button everything up, then lower the car and fill oil.

Do I need to raise the front end as well to drain the oil?

I'd say you will need to raise the front end too. With just the rear lifted, removal / reattachment of the metal panel under the engine bay will be difficult, especially the reattachment. You're going to have to support the weight of the panel and fasten the millions of bolts WITH ARMS OUTSTRETCHED. Not impossible, I suppose, but not safe.

 

[scv]

Raising the front to level or slightly higher than rear would allow better emptying of pan…..small, but why not…..

 

[Nova]

Funny story. Before I purchased the car, dealer called to say they had a travel Emira for test drive. Scheduled a drive. Right out of the dealer, was a red light. You guessed, I stalled it! On the way back, on a red light. Stalled it. . Can't imagine what the sales rep must have been thinking.

It's been over a year and having a blast!

They would have sold you anything as long as you are paying. I NEVER feel embarrassed in front of a car salesman.