Just last night I noticed a burning plastic smell coming from the engine bay/wheel wells. I took it over my buddies house to replace my brakes smelt it there just before we started. Took another buddy home after we finished and smelt it there but when I got home I couldn't smell it. I don't know what it is. The only thing plastic that I messed with was the Renesis cover that goes over the engine. Has anyone else experienced anything similar to this?

Thanks
Rob

 

How old is your car? I ask this because I too had this burning plastic smell coming from the same places. It happened to me when i first bought the car in 2004. I remember asking everyone short of the dealership about the smell. Never figured it out until the smell just went away. I dont smell it anymore and it hasnt came back.

 

Its probably just buring plastic

 

I had a similar smell when my 8 was brand new. Went away the more I drove it.

BTW,just a possibility,the 8 is a magnet for plastic grocery bags. Gets under the car and melts to the exhaust. Many reports here of the that.

 

could be plastic bag got stuck onto your exhaust pipe!

 

^ +1

 

The bag on the exhaust. Murder, just plain murder.

 

It's your wife taking a Bic to your Amex.

 

That's the first sign of the whole in your pockect from all that gas your gonna put in your new car.

 

+1 on the plastic bag on the exhaust - the heatshield on the Cat acts like a suction scoop and sucks up plastic bags off the concrete and melts them over the cat like butter on a steak. Only it doesn't smell like steak when it cooks off ... I've had it happen twice - takes several days of driving to get rid of the funk.

 

For two days now I've noticed a smell, but it's more like burning sage, as from a brush fire. Very subtle- it could actually be from a distant brush fire- but it's there, nonetheless. Not noticed after I pull in the garage. Time to check the exhaust system...damn, the bottom of that car is low...

 

ok thanks guys. Most everyone said it could possibly be a plastic bag which makes sense because the smell did go away. Thanks for the replys.