What's that smell?

[Empty Pockets]

I don't know what to look at, I hope you guys can help.

I recently used my '04 V8 Explorer to reposition my boat & trailer, a few times, in a place with some severe inclines. It was alot of push it up the hill in reverse a few feet & stop- then pull it forward a few inches & stop- push it hard back uphill a few feet & stop etc.

When I was done I unhooked the boat, turned the truck off & parked, (I know I should have idled for awhile or driven around a little to cool the tranny fluid).

About a half hour later I drove about a 1/4 mile & I smelled what seemed like brake or clutch material burning (pretty strong smell- but not a burning oil/fluid smell). When I turned the truck off the smell stopped. I waited 15 minutes drove another 1/4 mile and it smelled again, pretty bad but as I drove the smell went away quickly...

We've been driving it for a few months with no new smells, leaks, noises, chatters, shutters or problems. However I'd like to look at this and give the vehicle any attention that it needs before I have to tow again.

Can anybody tell me if there are clutches in the transfer case or Diff's that need maintenance or is there something else I should look at?

I searched the forum before posting this but didn't find anything. Has anyone else experienced this?

I appreciate your help.

 

[PopRichie77]

There are no clutches that can be accessed without removing and tearing down. Dropping the trans pan and changing the filter and fluid, would be in order. The bands could also be adjusted. Transfer case is the about the same, you can only change the fluid.

 

[Ronin8002]

The 5r55w/s transmissions sometimes vent fluid from the top of the bellhousing then they overheat or are overfilled. might have dripped on the y-pipe where it crosses under the transmission and caused the smell. Just a guess.

I don't know what to look at, I hope you guys can help.

I recently used my '04 V8 Explorer to reposition my boat & trailer, a few times, in a place with some severe inclines. It was alot of push it up the hill in reverse a few feet & stop- then pull it forward a few inches & stop- push it hard back uphill a few feet & stop etc.

When I was done I unhooked the boat, turned the truck off & parked, (I know I should have idled for awhile or driven around a little to cool the tranny fluid).

About a half hour later I drove about a 1/4 mile & I smelled what seemed like brake or clutch material burning (pretty strong smell- but not a burning oil/fluid smell). When I turned the truck off the smell stopped. I waited 15 minutes drove another 1/4 mile and it smelled again, pretty bad but as I drove the smell went away quickly...

We've been driving it for a few months with no new smells, leaks, noises, chatters, shutters or problems. However I'd like to look at this and give the vehicle any attention that it needs before I have to tow again.

Can anybody tell me if there are clutches in the transfer case or Diff's that need maintenance or is there something else I should look at?

I searched the forum before posting this but didn't find anything. Has anyone else experienced this?

I appreciate your help.

 

[Empty Pockets]

My first thought was to check/change the fluids but I really thought that it smelled like burning brakes or a burning clutch. ...you know that smell is kinda distinct.

Maybe my nose is off.

We'll see what the fluids reveal.

Thanks.

 

[Ronin8002]

If you are pretty certain that it was that hot brake smell, another possibility is you could have had a partially stuck caliper on one of the brakes...leading to the dragging/heating of the pads and producing the smell.