Q&A

Thanks for the reply. I wondered if it was my snow tires, which are also recent to the car. How will I know what they're rubbing up against, or if they are? And should a mechanic be able to confirm that issue?

If the tires are rubbing on the inner fender or the suspension (two most common places) then you might hear it when turning, and it will be fairly visible when inspecting the tires, suspension and the inner fender well. This is easier when the vehicle is on a hoist but can be done on the ground too.
After you drive the vehicle, sniff around and see if the smell is from the tire area, and pop the hood and see if it is from the engine area.
Good Luck!

Bret & Pat,

I can't thank you enough for the advice. I'll keep a close eye on my oil level, at the very least, for the next few hundred miles, about the time I'm do for another oil change anyway. And if I'm still not in the clear, I'll have these possible symptoms to suggest to the mechanic. I just read elsewhere that an oil seep from the valve cover gasket isn't necessarily an urgent problem...but should be dealt with in time. A seep is better than a spill, which I don't have.

Re: checking headgaskets for leakage. Some 2001 Outbacks have had leaky headgaskets, of which mine was one (twice) Somewhere within these answers is an answer to my question concerning campaign WWP-99, which I was told by Subaru of Am is the cause of these leaks.

Appreciate the reply. Head gaskets are what I've been fearing all along, and I've heard plenty about their tendency to go after 100K. My latest symptom is a coolant leak, or what I suspect is a leak. I refill the coolant reservoir about every couple weeks. So I'm even more suspicious the problem is the head gaskets. Do you mind sharing how much it cost you to repair?

i have the same problem with my 2000 Outback sport. but i wasnt aware that burnt oil smells like burning rubber.

Have your dealer check for any recalls. Some have a recall that has the dealer put cooling system conditioner (Subarus version of stop leak) in the cooling system. While this will not stop oil leaking it may correct the coolant leak. I also agree that the CV boot is by far the most common item causing a burning smell. For oil from head gaskets to cause a burning smell they would have to be leaking badly

I have the same problem with my 2001 Subaru Outback which has 221,000 kilometers on it. I have reported this to my dealer for quite some time, maybe 10 years ago. Until now I only got the smell when it rained. Visual checks have not shown any problems with tires, etc. A month ago it got much worse even in dry weather. On checking I noticed the right side CV joint totally blown out and grease everywhere, exhaust, engine etc. New CV axles replaced on both sides but the burning rubber smell is as bad as ever even after washing the grease off. I am still no closer to a satisfactory exclamation.