Is it possible that the engine doesn´t get enough cold air from the grill and airintake... In sweden where I live, there´s a law saying you must have numberplates in the front, and they cover up the entire airintake/grill. I do smell some burning smell sometimes after driving... What can I do? Would a vented hood help? ,or a new cold air intake? Any suggestions are welcome, as well as explanations.

 

I doubt the burning smell is from overheating due to the numberplate concealing the air intake.

The majority of the air being fed to the radiator is through the lower lip space where the rotary crest is anyway.

The burning smell is from you thrashing or driving the car hard.... trust me, I smell it everyday.

BTW, I doubt the climate over in Sweden is anywhere near what we experience here in Australia, so I'll probably overheat before you do.

 

If you look closely at the grille, you will note that most of the upper part of it is not open anyway, so the presence of a number plate in that area would have no effect on air flow. If your plate is mounted in the lower part of the upper grille, which is open, it could have a minor affect on air flow, but probably not something to worry about. The lower opening below the main grille opening should provide enough air for adequate cooling. Just my opinion.

 

If you have a new car (less than 1000km's) then the smell is the corrosion inhibiter Cosmolene that Mazda applied to the engine and exhaust prior to shipment. It will burn off in a few weeks....

Gomez.

 

Had the burnt smell in the first 4-5 months of ownership. Don't smell it anymore. Possibly some plastic part that has melted, or as Gomez said, some stuff that Mazda applied on the car.

 

Don't worry - mine smelled slightly too for the first 5-600 miles.

The engine gets -enough- air but only just IMHO. If you look behind the number plate and examine the ducting to the airbox etc there's not a whole lot of airflow available.

My car has standard front (black plastic, not the optional colour-coded one) and a K&N intake on the track last weekend and I didn't see any temperature problems at all despite some "long" sessions (25 minutes is considered a long session!)

Even then I stopped because -I- was too hot, not the car :D

 

Could it be the clutch?

 

perhaps the smell of "smoked ricer," not exactly a delicacy or anything but fun to make...

 

You might be smelling a bit of oil burn but perhaps a piece of plastic bag or something got stuck on the hot exhaust pipes for a bit. As long as your temp gage stays slightly less than the middle you should be ok.

 

I started noticing a smell.. like pancake syrup. My gauge doesn't say my car is over-heating.. No coolant is bubbling up. I notice it after I drive and sometimes when the car is on just sitting for a bit. I took it to the dealer.. they left it running for about 20 min with the A/C blasted.. they smelled it, but can't explain what it is.... Anyone???