I plow with my 2004 Dakota and lately notice a burning rubber smell when plowing. I am not sure if the serpentine belt is slipping on something or not. It looks a little worn on the back side of the belt, but the idler and water pump do not seem to be binding. Could it be the tranny? I know these trannys have bands in them, could that be causing the smell? Thanks

 

Bump ,

 

I thought this was going to be another thread about a supercharger or some chip causing the tires to smoke......

I'm not sure what is causing the smell, maybe the tranny is just overheating and fluid is coming out a vent ? Could it be hydro leaking from the plow pump or hoses? Could you have the P brake on or partially on and are smelling brakes? Lastly are you spinning the tires at all, even on ice they will smoke a little and smell.

Not sure if it will help but respond back with a little more on what type dakota you have 4x4 or 4x2, maybe one of the experts knows something....

 

pop the hood and start inspecting. make sure nothing is against the exhaust, wires overheated and melted their casings, etc. then we'll start diagnosing if the transmission is failing or not.

 

Thanks Guys. I inspected the heck out of it and can see nothing wrong, nothing touching the exhaust, nothing rubber rubbing anything that moves, etc... I didn't look closely at the wires though...I will check them out tomorrow.

I hardly ever spin the tires with 4x4 engaged and 300 pounds of ballist in the back. The parking brake is not on and the plow hydro's check out fine.

 

Wires seem ok. Tranny?

 

well since you have an 04, im assuming with a 4.7, you have a 45rfe trans, which is bandless. my bet is you're spinning your tires a little or your serpentine belt is slipping. if you have a 3.7 you could have a 42re which does have bands in it. either way, i wouldnt plow with these trucks, the front end is already weak.

 

I do have the 3.7 with the 42re. Would the tranny bands produce this kind of smell? I know it is not a plow truck, many have schooled me already on that It is a light plow and I do a limited amount of driveways.

 

im not sure if the trans would smell like that. check the fluid and smell it, see if it smells burnt.