Burning Rubber smell ?

[H2o-uk]

Just been out in the car and I decided to take the longer motorway drive home, and at around motorway speeds , I noticed a faint smell of burning rubber, so I slowed down and pulled into the slow lane and it went. I then accelerated again and the smell came back, but then drifted away as I settled into a nice steady speed but the smell was still there. So I continued my drive home and we have a couple of nice B roads near where I live so I had a spirited drive on them to finish my trip home and the smell appeared again.

Needless to say, I got home popped the bonnet and had a good sniff around but could find anything in the engine bay that was obvious, and I had a feel around the tyres too, but I couldnt feel any signs of rubbing.

Any ideas what it could possibly be, I'm thinking I might have to take it to the garage to get it up on the lift and have a poke around, saying that its not long passed its MOT.

??

Thanks

 

[gruf]

mine smelt like that last week,
i had to change my brake fluid, it was rotten and black, it was dirtier than my oil..
i ain't give any welly yet cause I'm bedding in my new pads and disc's,
so i don't know if its done any good

 

[Adam-D]

clutch maybee?

 

[Siena]

Sounds like the onset of dual-mass flywheel failure.

The 2 sections are linked by heavy-duty rubber blocks.
If the clutch slips enough to overheat these rubber blocks, they degrade, and harden over time, and when being driven hard, you'll smell them burning.

 

[H2o-uk]

thanks for the responses, however its an Automatic gearbox, it could well need a brake fluid change as I know that hasnt been done in a LONG time. I might do that anyway, but any other suggestions as to what it could be are most welcome.

 

[H2o-uk]

Siena , thanks I might mention that to the garage when I pop it in. What other symptoms should I look out for ? i.e slipping in gear etc

 

[Siena]

^^^ The scenario I mentioned above won't apply to you, as your car's an auto.

Definitely sounds transmission-related though.