Hi,

Newbie in foresters or any mechanical matter more advanced than tinkering on my beach buggy.

When I reverse there is quite a strong burning smell inside the car- but not at any other time- I am thinking this can only be bad- I have just bought the car but didn't notice anything in the test drive.

It's a 98 Forester

 

please oh wise and greasy-ones lend me your wisdom...

Did you look at the condition of your axle boots especially inner??

Check for oil leaks and greas on the exhaust system. When you back up you drive over your own blue cloud.

 

 

nipper

Is the car manual or auto? If manual, are you fully releasing the clutch while reversing, or are you slipping it? The clutch can give off a burning smell if it gets hot due to excess slipping.

Yes, is it MT?

 

Could there maybe be an electrical problem with your reverse light switch? That switch only conducts current when Reverse is engaged, and if there's a problem like a short, it could cause a burning smell that only appears when you're in Reverse.