Plastic burning smell?
09-30-2004, 02:59 PM
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Plastic burning smell?
The past few days, my 95 C4 cab has been emitting a smell like burning plastic. This odor comes from the driver's side rear wheel well. It's not overpowering, but definitely noticeable.
The car is running fine, good power, normal oil temperatures, no warning lights, etc. AC works fine.
I took it over the Jerry at EPE in Boston this afternoon; he put it up on a lift, shined a light around the wheels, the engine, driveline, etc., didn't spot anything that looked unusual, or obvious ... like a plastic bag wrapped around the catalytic converter or something. If you open the engine lid, you don't smell it. He felt the brake caliper and the rim, they weren't hot to the touch. He's mystified.
Anybody encounter something similar? I recently changed the rims to the 5-spoke lightweight Carrera rims with new Pirellis, but after shelving my dignity and sniffing all four wheels, it's only this one wheelwell that is sporting the new aroma.
Vic
95 C4 cab
The car is running fine, good power, normal oil temperatures, no warning lights, etc. AC works fine.
I took it over the Jerry at EPE in Boston this afternoon; he put it up on a lift, shined a light around the wheels, the engine, driveline, etc., didn't spot anything that looked unusual, or obvious ... like a plastic bag wrapped around the catalytic converter or something. If you open the engine lid, you don't smell it. He felt the brake caliper and the rim, they weren't hot to the touch. He's mystified.
Anybody encounter something similar? I recently changed the rims to the 5-spoke lightweight Carrera rims with new Pirellis, but after shelving my dignity and sniffing all four wheels, it's only this one wheelwell that is sporting the new aroma.
Vic
95 C4 cab
09-30-2004, 03:02 PM
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Vic, does the semll go away after a bit of driving? is it apparent just as you start driving, or does it comes after a few minutes?
I suspect a valve cover leak and oil pooling on top of the heat exchanger as a possibility, although it smells different.
I suspect a valve cover leak and oil pooling on top of the heat exchanger as a possibility, although it smells different.
09-30-2004, 03:35 PM
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I usually notice it when I park the car, but it's evident when the engine has warmed up, I get a whiff idling at a traffic light when the top is down. It's a constant smell so far, doesn't go away. If anything, it's gotten stronger.
Jerry took at a look and found a drop of oil on one of the bolts around the chain tensioner covers on that side, but the smell is definitely not a burning oil smell, which we are all familiar with ;-) ... it's a very unusual odor. Burning plastic is as close as I can come to describing it ... it's a very chemical smell.
The wiring harness was replaced under the recall 6000 miles ago. I don't think it's electrical, it's not that sort of burning computer smell. All the gauges and everything else operate normally.
C'mon by and take a whiff, Mike!
Vic
95 C4 cab
Jerry took at a look and found a drop of oil on one of the bolts around the chain tensioner covers on that side, but the smell is definitely not a burning oil smell, which we are all familiar with ;-) ... it's a very unusual odor. Burning plastic is as close as I can come to describing it ... it's a very chemical smell.
The wiring harness was replaced under the recall 6000 miles ago. I don't think it's electrical, it's not that sort of burning computer smell. All the gauges and everything else operate normally.
C'mon by and take a whiff, Mike!
Vic
95 C4 cab
09-30-2004, 04:01 PM
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Must be those wheels and tires rubbing. Havent you heard?.. those wheels dont work on cabs, you'll have to sell them to me
Just kidding..
More than likely some weeping oil from a lower v/c..
Just kidding..
More than likely some weeping oil from a lower v/c..
09-30-2004, 04:11 PM
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Vic,
Kathy reports that our's smells like rubber burning after some drives-could be the same smell. I also saw some smoke from the rear right wheel well once and could find nothing on inspecton. It appears to be secondary from, as Mike pointed out above, an oil leak which is already being considered as a winter project. Anyway, it is not reported as an oil smell, but that seems to be what mine is. Take a look at your pan for oil and consider that it may be splattering someplace hot.
Al
PS- Are you guys still thinking of getting together any time soon??
TIA
Kathy reports that our's smells like rubber burning after some drives-could be the same smell. I also saw some smoke from the rear right wheel well once and could find nothing on inspecton. It appears to be secondary from, as Mike pointed out above, an oil leak which is already being considered as a winter project. Anyway, it is not reported as an oil smell, but that seems to be what mine is. Take a look at your pan for oil and consider that it may be splattering someplace hot.
Al
PS- Are you guys still thinking of getting together any time soon??
TIA
09-30-2004, 04:20 PM
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Did you switch your gas stations lately? I have the same problem with certain fuel brands.
09-30-2004, 04:27 PM
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Hmmm ... no, I always use Shell, but I did fill the tank the other day. Interesting ...
I'm pretty sure it's not oil, but maybe I'll pull the wheel and dig around a little.
Vic
95 C4 cab
I'm pretty sure it's not oil, but maybe I'll pull the wheel and dig around a little.
Vic
95 C4 cab
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09-30-2004, 09:15 PM
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I have the same thing on my 97 c4s. Smells like burning wood or plastic from driver's rear wheel well when I get out and walk around the back of the car. No smell inside engine compartment. My mechanic thought maybe I had a stuck brake caliper, but no, I did not. He never was able to discover the reason, but also tells me he doesn't smell anything unusual. Will let you know if I figure it out.
09-30-2004, 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by vjd3
Hmmm ... no, I always use Shell, but I did fill the tank the other day. Interesting ...
I'm pretty sure it's not oil, but maybe I'll pull the wheel and dig around a little.
Vic
95 C4 cab
I'm pretty sure it's not oil, but maybe I'll pull the wheel and dig around a little.
Vic
95 C4 cab
09-30-2004, 10:19 PM
#10
two things to check
first the obvious. My brother had that smell in an older porsche he had, his turned out to be a plastic garabage bag that he had run over. It melted onto the exhaust and was a Pain in the A for us to scrape off.
I had this problem in my Boxster S and it was a very small oil leak (cam cover leak) The oil was dripping onto the exhaust and burning off so I noticed no oil on the ground. It turns out that Mobil 1 synthetic smells almost exactly like a melting plastic bag when it burns.
get your car up on jackstands and when cool inspect your exaust I bet you find either a small leak or the remnants of a grocery bag on your exhaust
good luck
Jon
first the obvious. My brother had that smell in an older porsche he had, his turned out to be a plastic garabage bag that he had run over. It melted onto the exhaust and was a Pain in the A for us to scrape off.
I had this problem in my Boxster S and it was a very small oil leak (cam cover leak) The oil was dripping onto the exhaust and burning off so I noticed no oil on the ground. It turns out that Mobil 1 synthetic smells almost exactly like a melting plastic bag when it burns.
get your car up on jackstands and when cool inspect your exaust I bet you find either a small leak or the remnants of a grocery bag on your exhaust
good luck
Jon
