This might need to go in electronics, but...

I started my car this morning and tuned on the heater(dash vents), and the rear defogger/deicer. I then popped my trunk to get my ice scraper and squeedgy. When I got to the front to clear my driver side window, I smelt what I first thought was strong exhaust. I continued to claer the windows. By the time I got in my car the smell had strengthened, but I couldn't tell what it was. By the time I got to work and opened my door to get out, I was greeted with the a strong smell of burning rubber, the same smell you get when a wire overheat.

I have a new blower motor that has been working beautifully for 2.5 months.

I could not smell the smell inside the passenger compartment.

The car was running perfect otherwise, so it wasn't affecting performance.

I did a couple quick searches to find some answers, but couldn't find anything relivant.
Is there any common culprites (heater elemen, blower motor, anything).

Need help!!!

Did you pop the hood and look for smoke?

The first thing I'd inspect carefully would be your belt(*) and tires for any rubbing/chafing.

Also...look at the wiring to the blower motor in the engine bay. We have seen one that had burnt wires.

As soon as I got out and smelled it I popped the hood...

No smoke, and the smell dispursed rather quickly with the wind blowing and all.

None of the wiring that I could see in the engine compartment was damaged, and I could barely detect the smell.

I am not a professional really, but I do work on computers and small electronics alot and have come to know that particular smell rather well. But I am not used to it coming from my car...and mixed with the exhaust and other smells outside made it hard to identify.

I smelled it well before I put it into gear, so it can't be tires or brakes.
I will check the belt during my lunch. The belt is pretty new, I got it replaced back in May.

As I write this I just realized that my alt might be it. I had it replaced in May (w/ the belt). And have been having weird voltage issues with it. The voltage will spike at random times for random lengths of time. I will check that too.

It is OIL.

I looked at it at lunch...I cranked it up to move it to a better location to work on.
I left it running an opened the hood. And to my horror ther WAS smoke puffing from behind the rear header (as far as I could tell). I am going to run it down to my mechanic and have him work his magic.

(frustrated sigh...)

Valve cover gasket is my guess. Should be a cheap fix if so.

That is what I was thinking once I saw where it was coming from...
I was able to drive it down the road to my mechanic. Luckily I have free use of my aunt'* truck, so I have transportation. Thanks for the help...I love that I get feedback within minutes of posting.

Was it the V/cover?

While i Advise against pulling up 3 year old threads you can start a new one with your issue and put this threads link in it for veiwing of other ideas..possible solutions