2000 XK8 burning rubber smell when rapidly accelerating
 

I have a 2000 Jaguar XK8 (I'm pretty sure it's a 2000 but it might be a 99). Anyway, the car has been in 2 wrecks, one of which it was deemed totaled by the insurance so it has been through a lot.

It only has around 50,000 miles on it and not too many were since that last bad wreck. When I accelerate rapidly, there is a strong burning rubber smell coming from under the hood. The smell is strong enough that I was able to smell it when moving 50mph with the windows down. Also, sometimes when the car is stopped, if I accelerate quickly, it will hesitate/jump.

Does anyone know what the issue here could be?

Thanks in advance.

Remove the belt and check its condition, as well as the condition of all the rotating accessories (a/c compressor, water pump, power steering, alternator), idler pulleys and the belt tensioner. Sounds like the belt may be slipping due to a bad belt tensioner or bad bearings on one or more of the rotating devices.

could it be the rear tires? HAH!

You laugh at the rear tyres, but it really could be.
Roy.

After drivebelt and tyres, the next option for source of hot rubber smell is coolant hoses.

Graham

Or possibly confusing hot rubber smell for oil on the exhaust. Could be plugged PCV system and/or leaking valve cover gaskets, etc. Or coolant leak from octopus onto exhaust? Do you park in a garage? Ever notice a smell after parking?

I know I described the smell as a burning rubber. I thought I smelled rubber but it's possible that it was another smell.

I also said "when accelerating rapidly", by that, I meant when I "floor" the accelerator. Now, I'm no speed demon, but obviously there should be no smell and it could be indicative of something seriously wrong.

Anyway, my first thought was transmission, because the burning smell is ONLY when I floor the accelerator. Additionally, just tonight, I started the car and got a "TRANSMISSION FAULT" on the display. Restarting the car resolved the issue for the time being, but either way, it seems like the transmission is the problem here. What do you think?

I wanted to post here before I went and got ripped off by my mechanic.

There is some repeated observations by myself, and others, described as either fuel, or in my case, like sulfur when I go WOT, but not ever before that point. I've read that some find the EGR valve either malfunctioning or the EGR tube cracked. I've changed gaskets to the TB and EGR, and EGR to exhaust manifold, but mine is still there. I learned of a potentional crack on the tube later, so I may check there in the future.

Hesitation/jumping is probably due to air/fuel issues, and/or vaccum. Adjust your throttle body cable, (check the FAQ in this subforum), clean your MAFS, clean your part load breather orifice in the valve cover, and also clean your TB...then re-evaluate. good luck.

Could it be the tranny?

That's what I thought (as I mentioned in my last post). Regardless of what the issue is, fixing all of the issues with this car is beyond me.

I appreciate all of the responses but it's looking like I'm going to need someone else to look at it. :/

i have the same problem but the smell is not that strong, i guess its a gearbox problem. i only smell that when i apply the kickdown and flat the accelerator. if am not wrong i guess its lack of gearbox oil???