So... Im driving along and I'm coming up on a dead armadillo... Since I have driven nothing but trucks and a 4runner up to this point in my life, the logical thing was to straddle it. So nex comes one loud bump in the front, and one loud bump in the back and one loud F$#@ from me. I get to my friends house and there is a very odd smell coming from under the car. I know I left that entire giant armadillo on the road so its not going to be any animal parts burning away. Its not an animal smell either. So the question is does anyone know of any thing that I might have knocked loose under the car that might be touching part of the exhaust system?

 

Coolant? Inspect fluids, inspect engine compartment shield. Inspect engine compartment. Inspect exhaust pipes, cat & muffler for physical damage. No CEL light?

 

It will be Friday before I have time to get it up onto the lift to check for damage to exhaust components and the underside of the engine compartment area... things look fine up top.. not getting any out of the ordinary engine temps either, but im not too sure that I trust the stock gauge. No CEL

 

may be the seal on the axle shaft is leaking, may be it hit the axle shaft and cause it to leak.

 

Got it up on the lift and gave it a thorough inspection and found..... NOTHING! Everything checked out.. exhaust system in tact, axle shafts and boots pristine. This is not a smell that anyone I have had smell it is familiar with (all car guys too). I'm now wondering if anyone thinks it could possibly be related to the brake pad on that back drivers side wheel? I didnt get a chance to look at it because I just thought about it while typing this...