I just Bought a 1997 maxima Se 5-speed and i am smelling a strange smell right after i get out of the car. I still cant describe the smell but it is starting to worry me. Plez tell me this is ok?? (p.s. i seems to be coming from the frount end)

 

You're going to have to describe the smell....

 

clutch, brakes, cv boot leakage onto braking area...roadkill....

 

do you know how to drive a stick???

 

Do you see smoke at all?

 

now if it was a strange smell coming from your rear end that would be easier to diagnose.
But is it a burning smell? Check for oil leaks, belts

 

1) Take a shower
2)You are burning your clutch

tell us more about this smell coming from the "front end"

 

if its kind of a sickly sweet wierd smell check your coolant it could be leaking and burning up

cracked radiator check all your fluids make sure they arent leaking, check all your CV boots.... make sure a mouse didnt make a nest in your engine and... got cooked

 

I think its the clutch, usually if its a burning smell and you might see a lil smoke, its sometimes and usually the Clutch, were you doing some off-roading in your maxima?

 

Its more a musty smell and it seems to be coming from the brake area. I cracked the hood and the smell was very weak but near the brakes it is stronger.

 

check the CV boots (the accordion-like boots behind the brake assembly) and see if they are leaking and maybe it's somehow getting onto the braking surface.

What condition are the brakes in?

 

When my "front end" begins to smell, I too worry! (than i change my draws - sometimes)

 

I hope you clean it often.... and I hope you wash your hands man...

 

I'm sorry - I was just kidding, I know this is serious. I don't know what it could be, but I would...
1) Check visually anything inside out of place, like an object sitting against something heating up stankin'.
2) Where is it comming from? try to find source with car on and hood up, can you pinpoint location?
3) If you don't know various smells, ask someone who does. Most people know what clutch smells like - very distinctive. (Or is it plasticy? I once ran over a trashcan lid in my Trans Am and every time I started her up for a few minutes after that she stunk to hell till it finally burned off) Just stuff I did.
Start with that. I hope this helps or points you toward it. Later.

 

I was just playing too dude haha it was funny