burning smell

February 13

Hi. I have a 2010 Auris Hybrid 1.8L. In December it had a full service and MOT and the dealer said an exhaust bracket needed welding onto the exhaust or the exhaust had to replaced at £1500. They couldn't do the welding. So I took it to a hybrid specialist and they did it. I was expecting a burning smell afterwards but never got one. Or so i thought.

Recently once the heater warms up and is going full blast, I get a burning smell - and it's worth noting the aircon was recharged in December too and i believe this can cause smells though i don't think it would cause a burning smell.

Is this normal? I figured the welding smell is venting off occasionally when the car warms up and the air vents are on full whack.

I also think the car sounds a bit more rumbly but the garage says they have not created an exhaust hole in the welding process. The exhaust fumes also smell quite strong too......(not inside the car) .....I could be imagining and looking for faults.....but is the occasional burning smell for a few weeks after a weld normal? The car doesn't get driven too much - usually only short runs round the city.

Thanks / best wishes

Glenn

Edited February 13 by ProfGlenn
spelling

February 13

Hi,

burning smell is never a good sign and often brings more trouble if left unfixed. These cars especially at age as yours suffer from broken heat shields and exhaust brackets due to a corrosion, similar to what you had already experienced. If the heat shielding in question is missing or it’s not properly attached can let heat into to places where should not be, can even melt something or start a fire. I have same car as yours and recently had some grinding noises and yes was the heat shielding on the fuel tank at the rear, previously fixed it needed fixing again. I use a Coca-Cola can but job done nicely and no more noises. Also I had to tighten up a previous repair with hose clamp, something I did at 42000 miles, now the car is almost 267000. Here some pictures.
For your car I will recommend someone who knows these cars well to look under and carefully examine your exhaust system and all heat shieldings, front to rear.
Good luck