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I am getting this bad burning smell while driving and it seems to get stronger the harder I push the car. I have a feeling it might be coming from the transmission. What do you guys think? For sure the throwout bearing is starting to go. I can hear bearing noise at idle but not while driving. The car is a 96 Mazda Miata.
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Since you think it might be the transmission I suggest immediately checking the fluid level.
One of my cars gave off an oil burning smell and oil it was. A valve cover was leaking and dropping oil onto the exhaust. Burning oil has a distinctive and not pleasant smell.
If the car has a manual transmission it could be the clutch is starting to slip. That also has a distinctive odor. A clutch smells like hot brakes. Burn a clutch and it will smell and may also smoke. This odor will linger for a day or more. It is quite pungent. If the clutch is slipping you should notice the engine rpm momentarily jumping up.
The clutch still grabs very strong even if I floor the gas so might not be the clutch. Although it does smell pretty bad, the smell does not linger. Is there any reason the transmission will lose fluids? I always thought that mtf does not burn or used. The smell can be caused by low mtf?
Come to think of it the last time I did an oil change(the first oil change since purchase) the bottom had a bit of oil but I just thought maybe the previous owner made a mess. The drain plug area is oily so I didn’t think much of it. Valve cover was dry all around as far as I remember.
A manual gearbox run low on oil can quickly be ruined. Whatever trouble it is to check the fluid level is well less than having it replaced.
my guess is that there is transmission fluid leaking and as the car warms up and it is contacting something hot like the exhaust pipe, you need to be extremely careful. transmission fluid although not at flammable as gasoline is still extremely flammable and has a potential to cause a car fire. you should find the source of the smoke as fast as possible for your own safety.
Good luck!
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