Mystery smell

428street · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 08:26 PM

The last couple of trips I have started smelling a strong odor coming from somewhere. The best way I can describe it is either a buring plastic, clutch or brake smell. I can't figure out a rhyme or reason. Only thing I can come up with is it seems to be at higher speeds when it starts...70+...I'm looking for idea's to troubleshoot this. It does not smell when standing still idling. The car has to be moving.

This week I am going to take it to a guys garage with a lift and take it on the highway before and blow it out then go right on the lift and see if I can smell or see anything hot...

Going to call Doug in the AM as well.

xracerbob · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 08:44 PM

The burning plastic smell is quite different than the telltale clutch/brake smell. I would guess that it is exhaust related, as sustained throttle will put more heat into the exhaust system. I would check the speedo cable which seems to run pretty close to the exhaust first, then look for any wiring that may be close to hot items in the exhaust system.

The other thought is that if a clutch is going to slip, it is usually first going to do so in top gear. This should be fairly easy to detect- revs go up, car goesn't accelerate.

One other thought is with undercar exhaust could the carpet adhesive be emitting the smell into the cockpit? Is any part of the floor or tunnel warm?

vector1 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 08:47 PM

lol! i'm at work and just left a room where it smells like a guy just crapped his drawers, smelled kinda like burning rubber!

SSSammy · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 08:51 PM

1. Ceramic coating on the primary pipes curing, will go away with time. Also if your main exhaust is coated, same thing. I know you have a street car, so not sure if you coated everything under there.

2. I actually found a half eaten meatball grinder in a paper sack in the far corner of my rear battery compartment .. said Paradise Pizza on the sack

Ok, jk on #2

Sam

xracerbob · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 08:55 PM

Sam- We knew it was a joke because there may be a sack, but no chance of half a sandwich being left behind.

Rwillia4 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 10:14 PM

How is the clearance between your headers and the fender outlet? if it only happens at speed or the engine under load how are your motor mounts? It might be the engine is shifting under the load and the headrs are getting close the the fender and the resin is melting/burning.

MaSnaka · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 10:18 PM

Check your exhaust flage at the header to collector. I have had a leak that was heating up the fiberglass in the engine bay right next to the flange. You should be able to feel the exhaust leak with the car at idle but don't burn your hand. Or check for carbon deposits in the area...I guess with a white glove while things are cool, next check the flange bolts because they can become loose. Good luck!

John

Dangerous Doug · #8 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 10:41 PM

Who's your passenger, and where'd you stop for lunch?

428Street: "Wow! What IS that smell?!?"

Passenger (slighly embarressed): "Hmm, smells like burning plastic, or exhaust, or something... By the way, that chili 'n cheese sour cream omlette was great. We should go back there someday...in the Cobra. or some other convertible..."

strictlypersonl · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 05:14 AM

Have you lost any coolant? Maybe there's a leak in the heater core.

patrickt · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 428street

...best way I can describe it is either a buring plastic, clutch or brake smell. Only thing I can come up with is it seems to be at higher speeds when it starts...70+....

Strange. Maybe something just barely dragging on the rotor/wheel? After you've driven it a while hop out and put your nose in the wheel area and sniff, then go around and sniff the other one. Carefully put your hands on things in and around the wheel/rotor area and see if you can find something that burns your finger on one side of the car, but not the other. Remember, the "appearance at high speed" could be a red herring and just a trick of how the air flow brings the smell in. It could be something as simple as a zip tie that was left sitting somewhere and that has now shifted/blown over to rest on top of something that gets hot after you've driven it. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but I know it bugs you.

Afterthought -- No chance that it's one of those fuse box covers that popped off and is now resting on the primary pipes?

428street · #11 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 08:34 AM

Funny patrickt!!! No, the fuse boxes are all still in place and not melted....ha...ha...

Michael C Henry · #12 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 08:54 AM

Could the parking brake be dragging slightly?

PANAVIA · #13 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 02:18 AM

428-

what about electrical >? alternator , regulator --uh-- smell ok>?

It might be an idea to run a test ; have the engine run at 2500PM for about 10 mins (parked -neutral external fan cooling) and see if the small is RPM related or SPEED related.

Other ideas;

Zip-Tie remnants ? what about the fiberglass near any of the exhaust exits ? also the brake pedal master cylinder relationship in the ERA cars can lead to the rear brakes dragging if out of bias.

--Steve

mrmustang · #14 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 428street

The last couple of trips I have started smelling a strong odor coming from somewhere. The best way I can describe it is either a buring plastic, clutch or brake smell. I can't figure out a rhyme or reason. Only thing I can come up with is it seems to be at higher speeds when it starts...70+...I'm looking for idea's to troubleshoot this. It does not smell when standing still idling. The car has to be moving.

This week I am going to take it to a guys garage with a lift and take it on the highway before and blow it out then go right on the lift and see if I can smell or see anything hot...

Going to call Doug in the AM as well.

As stated above, double check the clearances between the header where it is closest to the body? With your street configuration have you checked the insulation and clearances of where your exhaust system in routed?.

Bill S.

Doug I · #15 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 07:34 AM

I'm gonna go with a burnt coil - don't ask how I know

Should be easy to spot ....

Chaplin · #16 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug I

I'm gonna go with a burnt coil - don't ask how I know

Should be easy to spot ....

Doug-
I think you're right. This one is a no-brainer. Don't even need a volt meter to diagnose this one.

Doug I · #17 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 10:23 AM

Do I win anything ?