I'm getting this slight burning smell, almost like burnt popcorn coming from my vents when I have the heat on. This smell doesn't appear when I run the temp controls at cooler temperatures, so I'm assuming the smell is coming from the heater core.

I'm thinking that there may just be a bunch of dust buildup on the heater core itself, and it's getting hot enough to singe it and give off the smell.

Any one with similar problems, or experience? I would rather not pull off the dash to dust out the heater core, since this isn't an overwhelming problem.

 

If it's been a while since you've used your heater thats probably it. I get that smell in my home unit the 1st of every winter.

 

I've been using my heater every day now for the past month (cold up here in Massachusetts) The smell comes on and off...maybe someone dumped some jiffy pop in my vents

 

Is that with or without butter?

 

kettle corn i believe

 

On the ride home today I smelled pepperoni, I was so wanting to eat pizza when I got home!

Maybe it's in the air, that's what I figure it was with the pepperoni...

 

I don't think it's something in the air, because it doesn't seem to be isolated to any particular location. I guess it smells like a milder version of when a bug gets stuck in a halogen torche lamp.

 

the smell stopped but reappeared again yesterday. I took a look in the engine bay and it smelled a little more noticebaly than it did in the cab. It definitely smelled of burnt rubber, so I checked my belts for damage, and they didn't look to be frayed or making contact with anything (I replaced them 3 months ago).

Checked for any fluid leaks in the bay, but couldn't see any. I'm wondering if one of my hoses or vaccum lines is touching the exhaust manifold or exhaust causing this? Would a bad seal do it?

 

I dont know but I can tell you I get that burning smell from the heater as well.

 

same here, it comes and goes. But I have an '03 and the car hasn't burst into flames yet..

 

Anyone take their car in yet for this? Im thinking of schedualing an aptmnt with a local Nissan dealership. I just bought my 04 so I want to make sure its ok.

 

its the smell that was added to the heaters by nissan so you don't fall asleep from long drives.

 

had same problem. "valve covers leaking oil" got worse over time. cost me $900.00 at Nissan dealer here in Houston. 2005` 350z. problem fixed. good idea to have spark plugs changed while this is done no extra charge for labor.