Hello guys,

I'm new to this forum. And i need all your comments and replies to my problem. Yesterday morning while i was driving my car, i noticed that i am smelling a burning plastic or burning rubber. I stop the car and stepped out and checked where is this coming from. I could hardly smell it on the right front wheel. I have checked the engine maybe there is only a plastic that sticks on the exhaust but there is none. I am worried what is this smell. it is the first time i smelled it coming on my car.

Anyone have the same experience? I am driving civic 2005 model

Thanks to all your replies.

 

Check in the wheelwell. There should be a plastic cover in there, and chances are, it has come a little loose and sometimes rubs against your tire.

If that's the case, I would make sure to fix it right away (should be pretty easy). I had this same problem, but mine melted so fast that I didn't even have time to react. I smelled burning plastic, and next thing you know a chunk of wheelwell cover flies off my car. I had melted plastic down the sides of my car (came off easy though). I just ripped out the wheelwell covers because I am lowered and they are a problem anyway, but if you're not lowered I would just fix it.

Welcome to HCF

 

thanks for the reply. what do you mean wheelwell? you mean the bar that connects two wheels? at first i presumed that there is plastic that somehow stuck underneath. but i open the engine hood and found no plastic. but i will try to double check it to see if there is any.

what if there's none? do you have any idea from where it is coming from?
last week i had my car check with the mechanic. he found wet spots under the engine. he replaced the O rings and informed me that he sprayed it with WD 40. I am thinking, is it where the problem is coming from?

 

the wheelwell is the cutout where each wheel sits in relation to the body of the car. above and around your tires, the should be a big plastic cover. if it comes loose, it can rub against your tire and burn


this is a wheelwell
http://tommcknight.com/family/mcknig.../wheelwell.jpg
notice in this picture how there is no plastic cover in the wheelwell

see how in this picture there's a cover?
http://www.projectgsx.com/pics/mods/...r_removal1.jpg

 

oh i see. now wheelwell is very clear to me. i'll check it now and i'll be back to you of any findings.

i really appreciate your reply.

thanks.

 

Have you seen any plastic bags on the road while driving lately? I've had them fly under the car and stick to the hot exhaust. Smells like hell for a while but goes away on it's own.

 

^oh yea, another good point
look for that too... i had that happen to me
i freaked out until i figured out what it was

 

before i had that smell, i remember i drove off a plastic but i did not mind it because it flew away after drive passed on it. it's been almost a week since i start smelling that burning plastic smell. but i checked the engine underneath but didn't find any sign of plastic.

there is one thing i've seen on the middle of the exhaust pipe. there is like an asphalt like color on it. small bits of stone stick into it. could that be the cause of the smell?

 

probably
try scraping it off when the exhaust is cool