After driving my Legacy station wagon for about 30 miles, there is a strong odor that fills the passenger compartment that is similar to a candle burning. Is this a result of the catalytic converter producing a parafin? Should I be concerned about this new odor which could indicate a system malfuncton? The car has 30,000 miles.

Has anyone been working in the engine compartment lately?

Check all the hose connections on the engine. Sounds like the typical smell discription of the crankcase vapor. If you've ever smelled a PCV valve it kind of smells like a very hot candle or has the melted waxy smell you discribe.

Check your CV boots. Grease on hot engine or exhaust = burnt grease/wax smell.

I don't post this in jest...

 

Is the heat on when you smell this, I have to assume so, since it's winter time.

 

Do you have kids? Is it possible some crayons were deposited into the heat/defrost vent holes? They are always trying to fit the round peg in the square hole...

Thanks for the replies....good thinking.

I thought the crayon idea was a good one but there are no kids in the car! I'm glad I found this site as you have given us lots of leads.

Linda&John

Plastic bag blown up onto exhaust from road?

 

 

Had that happen to me....

Plastic bag blown up onto exhaust from road?

 

 

Had that happen to me....

Ditto. Happened about 2 months ago and there is still an odor. Not as strong, but still there.

I dealt with a torn inner CV boot on the passenger side. It is located just above the exhaust pipe so it throws a lot of grease onto the hot pipe. Although I usually don't smell it while the cars is moving. Just when I park.

All great ideas about the nature of the problem! We took the car for evaluation and, as soon as it was going up on the lift, we all saw the problem. It was indeed a plastic bag wrapped around and melted on the exhaust pipe. Our mechanic said we were lucky it had not caught fire.

So, it is fixed, they changed the oil as long as we were there, checked the brakes and all is well. Soon that subaru will be hauling my trailer full of flowers, plants and veggies to spring farmers' markets here in MA. Yes! Spring will be here soon.

J&L