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Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:35 am

Hello,
i did a body off of my beetle a few years ago and i when i put it all back together and i started drive it around i would get a whife of fish smell???
i didn't know what it was but it was nasty. so i lived with it.

the weird part is that is would only smell like that some times... i can;t fingure it out... untill today.. i was driveing down a big hill and had to brake alot and once i got to the stop sign at the bottom of the hill.. i got a big hit of fish smell... it must be the brakes!?!?!?

has anyone had brakes that smell like fish when they get heated up from braking? i've been messing with beetles for years i have never had this happen. they are old brakes all around so i can;t blame it on the local Auto parts store.

Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:45 am

Back when I was in high school (many, many moons ago), we used to put dead fish in peoples hubcaps on occasion :) Doubt that is your problem, but it brought back memories of my youth!

Cheers,
Brad

Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:57 am

Never did the fish in the hubcaps...dog shit in the fresh air vents on the hood...yep.....

Check your front wheel bearings,it sounds like one is getting hot and lost the seal.....

Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:46 am

you dont by anychance have brakes dragging do you? that would cause them to heat up and iv herd people call the burning brake smell "fishy"

Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:44 pm

I've had the fishy thing once, though I couldn't smell it while driving. It was caused by brake fluid leaking from a wheel cylinder and saturating the drum/pads. I got a wiff when I pulled the hub. worth checking

Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:55 pm

Maybe you got some of those CHINESE made brake shoes that are made of oyster shells and shrimp peels? :lol:

But seriously, burnt brake linings, clutches etc when hot do have that odd smell... I would not really describe it as "fishy" but smelly yes...

Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:32 pm

Never heard of it called fishy, have they ever "smoked" on you?
Does it smell like burning brake fluid or more like burning metal?

Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:41 pm

ooo what about wheel bearings? how are those doing? (just thinking of possible things that could smell when the cars being used) plus going down hill would increase drum temp. which would also increase bearing/spindle temp. just an idea

Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:30 pm

I'm thinking a bearing too. Hot bearing grease has a distinct odor.

Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:14 am

thank you for the replies. ya'll make excellent points and the jokes are to funny. i plan on pulling the brown bomber beetle in the garage this week to take a look a the brakes and bearings.

i know the rear brakes have some transaxle oil on them and the front wheel bearing i repacked with Wolfshead red bearing grease. i never used Wolfshead bearing grease before. that could be the smell.

i have a feeling it's the brakes pads with either the trans oil or brake fluid.

have a great day.

Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:57 am

birddog1 wrote: I've had the fishy thing once, though I couldn't smell it while driving. It was caused by brake fluid leaking from a wheel cylinder and saturating the drum/pads. I got a wiff when I pulled the hub. worth checking

Ive had this happen before. Change the pads and see that fixes it. You said that pads are old....so it probably time anyway.

Plus its much easier and cleaner than the bearings. i would look at the pads first.

Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:26 am

72BajaBen wrote: Ive had this happen before. Change the pads and see that fixes it. You said that pads are old....so it probably time anyway.

Plus its much easier and cleaner than the bearings. i would look at the pads first.

dont just replace the pads if the wheel-cylinder is leaking. that will just destroy the next set of pads. make sure if its leaking you fix the leak first.

Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:34 am

well of course, but a leaking wheel cylinder isnt the only reason that the pads could get some oil on them. its the most likely thing....but not the only.

i was just saying that it is easier to look at and replace the pads that the bearings. And i wouldnt just assume that the bearings are the problem. fix the easy stuff first.

Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:38 am

it was just good to put that out there otherwise someone might be likely to replace the pads without fixing any sort of leaks... i know people who have done that.

Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:55 pm

sounds like hot brakes, but i always thought they smelled kinda like pee.

Wed Jul 01, 2009 5:59 am

i plan on replacing any leaking wheel cylinders..

pee.. that's another nasty amell... but, i'm telling you it smells just like a dead fish in the trunk...

the wife got in the car and we started to drive and she looks over at me and says who was the dirty ho that was in the car that left that smell... lol..

i almost wrecked the car from laughing so hard... because i have been smelling it and thinking the same thing everytime i drive the car...

Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:46 am

maybe not your brakes... could be your clutch slipping/burning happens to a lot of people who drag the clutch, thats if your car is even a manual transmission

Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:01 am

i did check my trunk for a dead fish.. no luck

I pulled the brakes and replaced them. When i took off the front drums the bearing grease was stink'in. not like fish but it smelled nasty. the grease looks good.

it must be when the brakes get hot and the grease gets warmed up it smells like fish. I only smelled it 2 more times since the brake change...

now i relized my back brake wheel cylinder needs changed... it keeps on sticking.

thank you for the replies. they were helpful and funny. have a great day.

Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:48 pm

thanks for letting everyone know what you found... that might help somebody with a problem, and after all, isn't that what this is about?? :)