Smoke smell question. Is this normal?

[Ilovemyyaris]

Thanks for answering. Although I'm still not sure if I fully understand what is creating the smoke smell. Is something burning on the heater core?

I'm guessing none of this is anything major to worry about?

I'll see about getting a cabin air filter too.

I'm also guessing the occasional jerky acceleration after hesitation from slowing down then accelerating is also nothing to worry about either?

[xnamerxx]

Originally Posted by Ilovemyyaris

Thanks for answering. Although I'm still not sure if I fully understand what is creating the smoke smell. Is something burning on the heater core?

I'm guessing none of this is anything major to worry about?

I'll see about getting a cabin air filter too.

I'm also guessing the occasional jerky acceleration after hesitation from slowing down then accelerating is also nothing to worry about either?

Nothing is burning, the smell is created by oil being pumped into the cam phaser and oil vapor escaping the engine due to the extra oil being pumped to the cam covers.

Yep the jerkiness is completely normal, I'm also guessing it happens when the car is traveling 7-15mph when slowing down and you can accelerate again. Whats happening like I said before the torque converter is unloaded and freewheeling but the transmission is still shifting into whatever gear it thinks is going to be used next so when you hit the gas after doing this the torque converter loads up and since there is an abundance of torque from being in 1st gear and having a loaded torque converter you get that jerk. Like I said every automatic I've ever driven has done it. Its inherent to the design.

Both of what your experiencing are completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. If you start smelling smoke when your not revving the engine up or idling then I'd be concerned.

As for your mold smell that's a tricky one but it likely mildew that's developed on the ac heat exchanger. I'm betting you live in a warmer place with a high humidity index. so whats happening is when you run the ac there is a heat exchanger that gets very cold and as you know from kindergarten cold things develop condensation and what happens is this heat exchanger stays cold with moisture on it allowing it to develop mildew. Get the interior cabin filter it'll help.