burning smell - thoughts?

[fabes]

Hi all

I had noticed a little odd burning smell on Thursday whilst driving the 4 miles from work but thought it might have been external as there was nothing to show an issue, but when the wifey complains after her drive back from a girls weekend in Centre Parcs (tough life innit!) as she had taken the merc, yes, its there and quite noticable.

More around the rear of the car.

All levels look okay, nothing on the drive (leaks) no warning lights, all electrics seem to work (apart from power socket - I must change the fuse on that when I find out which one it is..) so no easy to see secondary signs. Only thought I have at the moment is that the foot brake isn't disengaging completely - though the the warning system operates (I tried pulling of with it slightly on)

So, will drop into garage this week as I am passing, but any pointers?

It sailed through its MOT last Wednesday, no other symptons showing... is this all to vague or is there a regular issue on a pre-facelift W203 220CDI coupe?

Sunday evening thoughts appreciated

 

[lynall]

Exhaust leak or something wrapped around the exhaust or near and burning/smouldering.



Lynall

 

[Jamesie]

I installed a Parrot CK3100 in my car yesterday morning and throughout the day I had a smell of singing, melting plastic. I was paranoid that I had somehow overloaded a circuit and the car electrics were melting!

Then finally this morning it dawned on me...on Friday I had tried to avoid a heavy duty plastic bag that got blown across the road but it went under the car. I had just assumed it went out the other side, but a quick perusal under the vehicle saw it was well and truly moulded to my exhaust!

A quick trip to the ramp in Kwikfit later involving a stanley knife and wire brush and there is only a very limited burning smell left which I suspect will wear off. Moral: sometimes things are a lot less hassle than they may seem initially!

 

[Jamesie]

Exhaust leak or something wrapped around the exhaust or near and burning/smouldering.

Lynall

Ditto!

 

[fabes]

Cheers

Bit dark now, but will assume the position tomorrow morning and have a "look see"

Hopefully something so blindingly obvious......

Let you know

Jonathan

 

[fabes]

Okay

So nothing visible underneath the rear or front

Security guard at work (nose like a blood hound!) noticed as I parked up today so we popped the bonnet (again).

Its eminating from the front this time

I did top up half a litre of oil (as requested by car last week for the first time) so perhaps a few drops that spilt over have made their way onto exhaust or another warm part?

Any views on this?

Still no secondary lights or levels warning

Hopefully just oil - I will drop into the garage tonight, but pointers appreciated in advance.

thanks

 

[zibmerc]

if yours a manual it will be from clutches which is normal.

My E46 BMW automatic always gave the burning smell due to the nature of the transmission which is CVT gearbox.

 

[fabes]

gearbox or injectors?

The gearbox is sequetronic (I know, I know....) but no performance issue with it that I noticed.

Someone at work asked if it could be the injectors - one of them giving up perhaps and the smell being diesel coming in via the heater - though it doesn't smell like diesel.

Its that usual on the 220CDI?

All pointers appreciated.....

 

[fabes]

Plastic bag :bannana:


The remains of it nestling between exhaust and under cover of engine

Had to be in a pit, with a torch and long nose pliers to see and get (most of it) out

Cheers