What smells of burning in my Corrado???

[corradophil 3]

Last night when I drove home, there seemed to be alot of people with bonfires, or so I thought.

 

This morning driving to work more people were having bon fires.

 

When I arrived at work and got out of my car I could smell burning again.

 

So, I am now suspicious that it is my car. I am going to have a good look round it at lunchtime.

 

There are several things I have in mind to check, but it would be useful to hear if anyone else has experienced this and what they found was causing it.

 

So far, I'm thinking:

 

Heater fan, obviously this has been used a fair bit in the cold weather, but I can smell the burning outside of the car.

 

Clutch, the clutch is not slipping, so I don't think it is this.

 

Brakes binding, I've been leaving the handbrake off overnight and the rears definately are not binding, I could feel the car role a little as I got in. Will check the discs for any signs of getting hot ie looking blue. There is no obvious increase in fuel consumption or reduction in performance.

 

Wiring, a tricky one to check, because so much of it is covered up, but I'll do my best. I don't think it is the usual one where you get smoke around the steering column from the indicator switch - I've has that already and sorted it, there is no smoke at the moment.

 

Engine bay, obviously I will be having a good look around under the bonnet.

 

Any additional thoughts would be much appreciated.

[veeDuB_Rado 0]

Have you spilled oil on your engine bay?

 

Cos that made mine stink like mad.

[corradophil 3]

Nope, although not had the bonnet open for a couple of weeks, so there is a possibility of an oil leak - something definate worth looking for. Cheers.

[Petros 0]

I know this might sound daft, but can you describe the smell at all?

 

'Burning' clutches have a very distinctive smell (try pulling away in 5th gear if you need an idea of what that smells like. Actually, don't :-P )

 

Likewise electric motors (e.g. fans, alternators, PAS pumps) burning out give an acrid electricy smell (think dodgems).

 

If it smells like burning plastic, it could be insulation tape from a cable coming loose and touching the block (or something else hot).

 

Just some thoughts... though I should point out that I'm not a Corrado expert, just someone who'd had their share of strange smells from various cars over the years!

[CoxyLaad 0]

have you checked to see if you have run over a tescos bag and its stuck on the exhaust?

[corradophil 3]

I know this might sound daft, but can you describe the smell at all?

 

It's kind of a sweet smell, not really like burning brakes or clutch or for that matter like a burnt electrical component.

 

have you checked to see if you have run over a tescos bag and its stuck on the exhaust?

 

No I haven't actually. Not even thought of that one - good idea.

[corradophil 3]

CoxyLaaaaaaaad!, You were almost right, not a Tesco bag but some red and white stripy warning tape stuff, wrapped around the exhaust just before the centre silencer where the hangers are.

 

Well done mate, saved me a lot of messing around looking for more complicated things. Just need to get it up on the ramps tonight to pull it all off.

[sciroccotune 0]

have you checked to see if you have run over a tescos bag and its stuck on the exhaust?

 

 

that has to be guess of the day :lol: well done!

 

glad you sorted it mate, ill remember this tip

[corradophil 3]

:lol: Made me smile when I saw it. I was quite concerned this morning. The thought of my car being burnt out is not a good one.

[CoxyLaad 0]

I thankyouverymuch :D

Ian has left the building