Q: 2012 jeep liberty has a very strong burning smell. Jeep is not overheating and the check engine light is not on. The smell is like

asked by on December 25, 2017

My 2012 jeep liberty has a very strong burning smell. It started while I was driving on the highway. I pulled over and saw white smoke coming through the front grill on driver side. Also accelerating was really slow , I pushed the gas pedal hard and it was still very sluggish . Once I parked the car in the garage , it smells like hot tar in my garage even the next morning.

My car has 134000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Oil/Fluid Leak Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Car is slow to accelerate Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

A leak of engine oil onto a hot engine component such as the exhaust manifold would cause a strong odor. Another possibility is a binding serpentine belt (riding over a seized pulley) and the belt is overheating and smoking. If the problem were a seized belt, in extreme cases, that can cause the engine to bog down because the belt is driven off of the crankshaft. If there is a leak, or another fault such as a seized pulley, that would be the first thing to fix. If you desire, a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, can perform an oil leak diagnostic and then let you know of your repair options and costs.


If the odor is due to burning oil, and the belt is not seized and thus isn’t a possible cause of poor acceleration, the other usual causes of poor acceleration are clogged fuel injectors and/or inadequate fuel pressure/volume. When an injector is clogged it can degrade the performance of the vehicle and the car may accelerate slowly or feel that it does not have enough power. A defective fuel pump will not supply enough fuel to the injectors. This can cause the vehicle to accelerate slowly, or even sputter and stall, especially at high speeds. A clogged fuel filter can also restrict the amount of fuel that reaches the injectors. A dirty mass airflow sensor can cause the wrong data to be be sent to the computer. A slow accelerating car is the result of this incorrect data. It may also trigger the Check Engine Light. Other causes of poor acceleration are vacuum leaks, a defective throttle position sensor, a defective idle air control valve, and a plugged catalytic converter. To get the underlying cause of the problem pinpointed and resolved, if the slow acceleration persists, the mechanic would perform an engine diagnostic for slow acceleration. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Clutch has less resistance than normal
If you are noticing that the clutch is getting too easy to push, this could indicate that your clutch pressure plate is growing weak from broken or overheated springs in the clutch. It could be something else if you have...
Problem with wiring harness
When you say some wires are cut I would need to get an idea of the location of the cut wires and how they got cut? Do you have critters chewing the wires under the hood? I have seen mice...
Car making noise
Hello. There are many reasons for a car to make noise. There could be loose plastic, metal, and multiple moving parts. Being able to demonstrate the noise will aid in a proper diagnosis. I would recommend the aid of a...
Dashboard show the SRS light on
Hello. If there has never been any accidents and that is what the computer is saying, then the computer would likely need to be replaced. The SRS module will fail over time and cause these readings to occur. If all...
SUV would not accelerate and all warning lights came on - 2009 Kia Borrego
A failure of the electrical system can come from a loose or broken connection at the battery or an alternator failing to maintain the charge. You may want to hire a second source for another opinion and maybe another estimate...
A rattling noise when I brake
This should not have anything to do with the oil changed that was performed, however occasionally, parts get left unbolted or become loose and can drag on ther ground causing a scraping or rattling noise. This can also happen sometimes...
Car will jump start fine. But when I try to start it from the new battery, it all goes black and power goes out completely
Hi there. It sounds like your new battery may be faulty (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-check-a-car-battery). If the vehicle jump starts ok, then this is a sign that the new battery is not providing enough cranking amps to engage the starter. It may have...
Gear stuck on park. Brake lights dont turn on. Brake light switch has been changed the problem still remains.
Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle is likely having a connection issue somewhere around the switch. Since you have a voltmeter or test light, you will want to test for power leading up to the fuses, and then...
My BMW starts, then immediately stalls
The first thing I would look for is air leaks. Your car uses an air flow meter to measure all the air going into the engine. The controller uses this information to decide how much fuel to inject. If there...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Honda CR-V
The The fourth generation Honda CR-V was unveiled in 2012 with a total redesign. One of America’s favorite compact SUVs got a new look and a lot of great new features, including an all-wheel drive (AWD) option, as well as...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Volvo XC70
This This crossover station wagon not only carries its own weight in cargo space and all-terrain ability alone, but it also offers a nostalgic twist with its boxy exterior reminiscent of good ole’ Volvo wagons past. The XC70 is the...
A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Mazda 2
For For those of you who really just want a car for the sake of transportation—and not towing or for a job where you need to transport tools—you might want to consider the 2012 Mazda 2. This car may not...