Funny Smell, Can Someone Help Me?

[Mrs SporT]

I had to take my pocket - rocket to the garage today as I had a really bad smell, like burning plastic, coming from the drivers side rear wheel area. There I was, in the car park, doing my 'under the car, but dont know what I'm looking for, act', when a fella told me it was a cat-converter smell. After talking to a 'mechanic' at the Toyota garage, I am not so sure. The smell was not like sulphur, or rotten eggs, more like plastic. Any ideas? Has anyone else had this problem? Is it my cat or not? Is there anything that I can do?

[vmail]

the only smell i get from my car is the clutch burning

[kaz]

I had that smell when I first got my car and was also told it was the catalytic (?Spelling sorry) convertor and it would burn off which it did after a few days. It is a horrible smell though isn't it!

Kaz

[Mrs SporT]

My car is 2 years old tho! It may look brand new cos I look after it, I love it too much! :D

[jimma]

My car is 2 years old tho! It may look brand new cos I look after it, I love it too much! :D

cats smell like slightly off eggs. if it doesnt its probably something else.

[chrisb]

take it to a vet!!

[GiJoe90]

Have you got a different exhaust on it or something? Maybe the exhaust catching on some plastic bodywork. Doesn't sound/smell (sorry) like the cat to me. You may have even run over a plastic bag and it's melted to the exhaust?

Keep checking and take it to a garage if it persists.

Joe

[Mrs SporT]

Thanx Joe, I already thought of that, (plastic bag) exhaust was clean as a whistle. No I have'nt changed it yet, but I am looking!

[jaxx]

id agree if the cat was nackered it would smell of rotting eggs, plastic? dunno!

[kaz]

You haven't had a cat wee/spray up the front wheel have you? I mean this seriously honest !!

Kaz

ps. your car is SO SHINENY what do you wax it with? Have you had the front lights changed ? they look like the new teardrop ones.

pps. I love the gold alloys with the Black car. That's it envy over

[Mrs SporT]

Nope, no cat pee anywhere. The lights are original, and I use liquid diamond wax. :)

[jimma]

id agree if the cat was nackered it would smell of rotting eggs, plastic? dunno!

No mate, they smell of rotting eggs when they're fine and working, but apparently the smell don't last forever!

[T V O R]

With the engine running go to the rear of the car and smell the exhaust fumes, not nice I know but this should tell you if the gases are the ones you smell.

If you can smell a burning smell then there must be heat somewhere, go round each wheel and feel them after a drive, on an older car some years ago the brakes were binding and causing a smell, I could feel the heat in the wheel.

Feel different parts of the car where the smell you think is coming from to see if it is any hotter than usual.

[Mrs SporT]

Just to update anyone that is interested. :D I have had to go back to garage today, as on my way to work this morning the car was squealing (like a fan belt noise) until it got warm. When I left work, the same thing happened again. The 'mechanic' says no way is it fan belt. I have had to leave it there overnight so they can have a sniff and a listen. :( Although it isnt smelling anymore I cant help but think the two are connected in some way. They sent me home in a vauxhall mariva!!!!

[kimi]

its bad enuff having a problem but they really taking the p :censor: making

you drive a vauxhall!! hope u get it sorted,nice to see i aint the only female

who likes to wax a black car.

kimi

[kaz]

My YTS is Black also and I love it when it's shiney and the sun makes it gleam. Although at them moment my car is so dirty I am embarrassed. I was driving on Saturday down the causeway to Canvey Island when a bomb disposal van went hurtaling past me and throw all filthy muddy water all over my car it was terible and I won't be able to get it washed and sparkling again till the weekend !!! I have NEVER had a car this dirty ever !!

I hope there is nothing seriously wrong with your lovely car. Let us know how it is.

Kaz

[cooperman66]

your tyres aren"t rubbing on the suspension or body work are they?

[jaxx]

id agree if the cat was nackered it would smell of rotting eggs, plastic? dunno!

No mate, they smell of rotting eggs when they're fine and working, but apparently the smell don't last forever!

my bad!

it cant possibly be the fan belt it hasnt got one!

fan is electronic

[Mrs SporT]

Thank you all for caring 'bout my baby, I got it back this afternoon, :D after leaving it at the garage overnight, all alone! :( They could'nt find anything wrong! The smell has gone and so has the sqeak (at the moment anyway). I thought the same as you Jaxx, no fan belt, but it has, and there is nothing wrong with it, or so they say! It is definately not the cat either, so I am at a loss, I still don't know what was wrong. Thanks Kimi and Kaz, and no Cooperman, my tyres clear all bodywork. Maybe it is the sea air or the weather or something!

[Mrs SporT]

Guess what, squeak is back left work this afternoon and there it is, bold as brass! Opened the bonnet and it seems to be coming from one of the 2 belts. Is it possible the fan belt is too tight? Could that have been the smell? Sounds worse on tick over, quietens down with acceleration. Good mechanics we have over here eh! :ffs: Now what?

[SpankysEcho]

Could I throw in a suggestion?

Have you noticed if it does it when the Air con is on?

My Car did it a little while ago, When I took it to the mechanic they naturally turn off the A/C which turns off the Condenser fans (So he could listen for the Squeak) Suddenly there is no load on the belt and it quietens down, MY dumb mechanic could never find it :ffs: I left the A/C on and found it was the A/C belt.

Quick tighten up, And she's running like a champion.

Also I have heard of problems with the power steering pump being a little harder for the belt to drive in colder climates.

Might be an idea to check both belts just to be on the safe side.

[Mrs SporT]

Thanks SpankysEcho, I will investigate, and make a suggestion to the mechanic! I haven't driven for a couple of days, (been to the bike show in London) but when I started it after coming home, it sqeaked for about 5 minutes, then went silent. No A/C on, but the minute it warms up it goes quiet. :(