Still love my '98, but I've noticed a burned rubber smell that is apparent after a longer (50+ miles) drive. It comes from the engine compartment on the passenger side, and I've seen steam coming out of this area, too.

The engine temp never exceeds the normal mark on the guage. All of the belts have been replaced.

What's up with the smell? Is it a big problem that needs fixing? Do Audis tend to run hotter than your average Toyota? And, finally, how often should I change the oil...can believe it, but I didn't see a frequency in the Owners Manual.

I'm stumped. Can you help?

 

Check your belts for proper tension. Just poke 'em with your finger (recommend you turn the car OFF for this test, or else... OUCH!). Should give about 1/4". Any more and it's loose. Any less and its too tight.

If its not the belts grab one of those cardboard toobz that papertowels come wrapped around, put one end up to your sniffer and poke around the engine compartment until you've narrowed down the source of the smell.

 

It was the flange bolts on the oil pump. They weren't seating properly and oil was spraying around. The fix eliminated the last of my oil leaks and cured the stink. Bonus.

Now if I could just figure out how to fix my inoperable head rests, I'd be set. The motors are fine, but the rests don't move. Dealer wants $3K each he's never gonna get to fix them by replacing the seat frame. Good grief.