No idea what it is. Have been driving Tregs for 9 years and have often noticed this with each of my previous 3 cars.

 

You need to stop making those burn-outs.....


On a more serious note, I have not experienced something like that myself. Can it be some wiring that has gotten near the turbo or other warm places, and the smell can come from the insulation of the wire or something similar?

 

Have often got the smell after parking and have gone around the 4 tyres and put my hand on them to see if they were hot...they weren't. Don't think it is wiring Arne as no fault ever developed!

 

All three TRegs I've owned since 2004 occasionally have the same thing...

 

I have been noticing this smell on and off for quite some time. Some times on the daily commute when I don't even get above 50 mph. I get home and can smell burnt rubber. Today I had a 3 hour drive at 80 mph and when I got home the smell was really strong. I checked all over the vehicle, but cannot find the source. I'm wondering if it has something to do with DPF regeneration.

On a side note, I been noticing what looks smoke steam from time to time coming from the front grill area when I stop. I noticed it again today. A few seconds of white, steam like cloud coming from the grill area. I checked the area and could not find any leaks or source. If memory serves me correct I think this happening only after rain as if water is accumulating somewhere during driving and flushes forward onto something hot causing a steam cloud when I stop........Anyone else notice this?

 

On a side note, I been noticing what looks smoke steam from time to time coming from the front grill area when I stop. I noticed it again today. A few seconds of white, steam like cloud coming from the grill area. I checked the area and could not find any leaks or source. If memory serves me correct I think this happening only after rain as if water is accumulating somewhere during driving and flushes forward onto something hot causing a steam cloud when I stop........Anyone else notice this?

Yes. I have noticed this on my Touareg whenever it rains. I attributed the steam to evaporation from the hood.

 

My 2013 has been doing that lately... -4 out today, and Fan was on after I shut the car off?? ?? ... I don't drive crazy and had a 15minute drive home Mostly highway.. no stop and go.... really weird... but I'm glad other people are having same issue... anyone find out what it might be ? I know it won't do it when I take it in to the dealership..

 

You are all very likely smelling a DPF regeneration cycle. All of you that have mentioned it have diesels; some newer with the urea injection, but I believe they still do a regeneration cycle. I've got the V10 with DPFs and and mine clears the DPFs solely by regeneration about every 1200mi; it heats the DPFs up to a very high temperature (if I recall correctly it's about 1000*F) to burn off the carbon particulates. While the regen cycle is only supposed to occur at 45MPH and above, it's possible that you just pulled off the road & the system was still very hot.
Every time I've pulled into the garage during a regen cycle, mine has smelled this way. My suspicion is always confirmed the next morning when I drive off and I can see the white ash cloud of the regen cycle shortly after getting up to speed. You guys with the urea injection don't see your regen cycle like I do, but it's still doing it.

 

The Urea system is designed to reduce some of the NOx, a gas to N2 and water. The regeneration cycle is to 'recondition' the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) which is supposed to catch very fine carbon particles and retain them until they can burn off. The two systems are separate and independent within the exhaust.
If the engine is often used under heavy load for long periods it will rarely call for a region cycle because the carbon trapped in the DPF will be oxidized by the available excess oxygen. Only if it runs too cool will a region cycle be initiated by telling the injectors to inject some fuel with the exhaust valves OPEN! This causes the DPF filter to heat up to burn the carbon to CO2.

 

Spot on.....and since I had the DPF and stock exhaust deleted......no more burnt rubber smell......so?????????????

 

I understand the regeneration cycle, however has anyone experienced a strong rubber smell from the door seals? My T2 is 5 years old now and my seals all emit a strong odor. This will be my first summer with the vehicle and as the warmer weather approaches I've been trying to air it out as much as possible. I haven't seen any improvement.

 

Called dealer said you guys are spot on about the DPF regen cycle. Great site thanks again

 

I have this smell from time to time as well, but I do have the 3.2 gas engine. Is there a cycle for the cat's as well?

 

No, the gasoline versions of the Touareg engines do not have a Diesel Particulate Filter regeneration cycle, because they are not diesel, and have no DPF.

You may have an oil leak somewhere (transmission pan, oil pan, valve covers, etc) and a drip of oil is making contact with a hot engine component and creating a smell.

Check under the vehicle after parking for the night to see if there are any oil/fluid stains. It's the easiest way to know if there is a leak somewhere.

 

I have not experienced the burning rubber smell coming from my Treg but I did smell it after parking my Passat. I believe... and correct my if I'm wrong ...it is the salt spray they are applying to the roads that is getting on the hot exhaust? That was the only conclusion I could think of and it let me sleep at night. If someone experienced this smell in a warmer climate then I'll go back to the drawing board on this one.

 

I've noticed this recently as well, but couldn't feel or narrow down the cause.

 

Mine is a v6 gas engine. It smells of rubber when I park after driving uphill for an extended period. I too have had no issues with heat etc. I 1st thought it might be a brake hose against the exhaust, but it's well clear. I notice no one has come up with a solution, other than for the deisel.