I was hoping some of you guys could offer some insight into my situation and what I should do.

I have a G35 Coupe 6MT (2005) with approximatly 11,000 miles on it. My car's radio has been replaced, the air conditioning internal motor had to be completely replaced and I have had some other small misc problems. My main issue below is what concerns me the most.

Anytime I exceed 5500 rpms in any gear, a strong odor (NOT ROTTON EGG SMELL) permeats through the car. If I have my driver side window open, the smell is so bad that it literally chokes me. I can't even describe what it smells like but it is very strong - almost like a burning choking dust. I have brought it in twice to two different dealerships. The first dealership said they smell nothing. The second dealership told me they agree they smell the odor, but they claim all ULEV engines that Toyota, Nissan etc make produce this odor in the upper RPM ranges (burning rotten egg smell) and nothing can be done. I assure you this does not smell like burning rotten eggs either!

Now I love my G35, but this is making my car impossible to drive. They suggested I switch gas (which I did) and only use 93 octane (which I always do). Both suggesstions did nothing. I am now due to bring the car in for a third time next week but the dealer is already insisting that this is normal for the car. I cannot imagine that this is normal or I would never have bought this car. My other car, an 03 sentra spec V, can be brought to red line and produces no such smell.

I am almost at the point where I would submit my car for lemon law. Could you guys please provide some insight into what you would do in this situation? Thanks so much.

 

It doesnt sound like it falls into a category for lemon law even if that's what you wanted to do.

 

on another note, ask them to take you out in one of their loaners or something and see if there's the same smell.

 

Trouble shoot this for a week and if you can write a log.
Is the car up to operating temp when this occurs?
Is it RPM specific, beyond 5500 and to what RPM?
Does outside air temp seem to effect the smell?
Since it does not smell like rotten eggs (sulfer dioxide) what does it smell like? Burning, choking dust is not a "smell", it is a reaction.
If you shift from 2nd to third using 5500 as a rpm shift point does the smell go away? 3rd to 4th?
Lots of questions I know, but answer them as best you can...
And lemon law seems to be a good buzz word here on this site, you have no basis of standing to claim that your car is a lemon as of what you have just described. Having said that I also know that when you shell out good hard earned money you expect there to be no problems with what you have bought, especially when there is a large amount of money involved. Not everything is perfect.

 

I just experienced the same smell yesterday. I just bought a '05 6MT about a week ago and I haven't been pushing it through the gears just yet, keeping it below 4900 until she "breaks in". I first experienced it in stop and go traffic and noticed the smell when I parked it. It smells almost electrical in nature and I immediately thought it might be the clutch "burning" in since it was probably very hot from stop and go I270 parking lot. I let her cool down for about an hour and drove again without the smell. My guess is it may be the clutch but I'm no expert!

Hope that helps and lets continue this cause if it is a problem I don't want to wait to get it fixed!

 

A burning clutch will choke you...the odor is hideous.

So will brake pads. Is a caliper/parking brake sticking?

 

Not that I'm aware of. I dont think its the clutch. It actually smells like it comes from the engine bay since its downwind of me when Im driving with the window open. I have drived other cars (loaner) and there is NO such smell at all and believe me I beat the sh*t out of the loaner to see if I could get the smell duplicated. It is almost like a strong dust odor that literally makes me cough and gag when the windows is open. I have it nailed that any time I hit over 5000-5500 rpms, the smell appears. This is in any kind of temperature or setting AND any gear.

 

Lets all cry about lemon laws after the one guy did


sheesh

 

I don't think you have to worry. This is normal when you just get the car. It's oils and stuff burning off your engine and exhaust. It should go away within a few weeks.

Curt