Burnt smell passengar side engine room and inside

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Wifey's Mechanic, Feb 9, 2026 at 11:36 PM.

  1. Wifey's Mechanic

    Wifey's Mechanic New Member

    Joined:
    Friday
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    Location:
    Hillsboro Oregon USA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    My wife complained about it smelling and smoke coming from under the hood last week after driving for 20 minutes or so home from work. It had been sitting for a lil bit before I came home. I checked oil, coolant, inverter pump, error codes on the ODB2 reader, all ok, and then cranked it it up, got a slight whiff of something burnt but was unable to locate it. I started it and idled it several times in the garage over the weekend. Eventually the smell went away and I dismissed it as something gotten onto the exhaust from the outside and cooked off.
    Then today, it came back of course. She drove to work ~ 10 miles ok. Then when she drove home she noticed it again. I cheked again and after idling it again for 7-8 minutes I noticed the smell got stronger and eventually I saw some smoke so turned the engine off. It was coming from up the front passanger side it seems, a bit down, next to the light housing. Just out of curiosity I measured the temp around the engine bay w a Harbor Garbage IR thermometer - the block ranged from 80f to 112, radiator and hoses were around 80, nothing stood out.

    But I'm at a loss on how to trouble shoot this further anyone got any ideas or experience to share?

    TIA!
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    13,205
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    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Called pictures.. brown stuff near headlight??? Pictures of smoking etc