Burning Plastic Smell - wtf?

[TravisSW]

95 S14 - KA24de 5sp -

Stock performance (besides K/N Drop In Filter)
Suspension: Blown Tokico Blue Shocks and Springs.

Well I just got home a couple of mins ago and I noticed a distinct smell when I parked in my garage and got out.

Smell of burning plastic. Thanks to my other job I know that smell anywhere.

Anyways, I pop up the hood and check it with my flashlight for a couple of minutes.

Freaking me out a lil because I was driving to a Denny's and I hit two speed bumps a lil bit hard. One I didn't see at all and the other I saw too late. :ghey:

But then yet, what could 'cause that? Unless if some plastic or maybe rubber got bumped into something.

The smell is strongest on the front/driver-side half of the engine bay. I searched and searched and couldn't find anything. Except for two leaves on part of the tie rod/tension rod/lca of the car. Doubt that could be it, but i'm letting the engine cool off and finishing my Del Taco before I move the leaves.

Any clue?
And if it still happens, i'm going to Corner 3. =x And probably call out of work haha.

Gah! :hammer:

[breakindrifts]

WTF your bringing your car to shop because it has a burning rubber smell?
AHAHA

Anyway, just follow your exhaust from the headers, downpipe and all the way back. Make sure it isn't hitting/rubbing against something.

[TravisSW]

I know the guys at the shop so why not?

=P

And I can only see so much of the bottom w/o jacking it up. but i'm done with my food and the engine is cooled..time to recheck *burp*

[BILLYhoang]

with my subaru ... i had a reallly strong burnt rubber smell and when I went to get an oil change , i come to find out that it was because a plastic bag got caught on the exhaust hanger . and it melts quick and when you look under , you cant see a bag no more cause it melt onto the exhaust .

maybe its that ?


-- billy

[20 til 3]

haha, I agree with the same thing as Billy Hoang. It's most like a plastic bag that wrapped itself around your exhaust somewhere. You say your car is high enough to see under it, but look closer, there is probably a ton of residue on your exhaust that is slowly burning off.

[johngriff]

Wasn't your clutch on the way out? Or was that your trans? Low gear oil, it will smoke and burnoff a bad smell. Bad clutch, it will slip a little and smell. Like everyone else said, something that got wrapped onto the exhaust, but your pretty insightfull travis, I am sure you would have caught it.