Strange smell..

jamesysam002 · Sep 13, 2009

I was wondering if anyone has this same problem or issue?!

Ive noticed when ive been driving for a while (around town especially), when I pull up at a traffic light or get home, there is a strange burning smell coming from the engine. But it doesnt smell like the clutch.

Ive also noticed a strange kind of film on the windscreen when its cold outside, its like little circles and always stays around the same part of the windscreen. But its only there when the smell is there.

Can anyone help?!

G-man · Sep 13, 2009

coolant or oil leak hitting a hot exhaust?

sharpe · Sep 13, 2009

Id say so. Around town smell lingers, mw miles blows under - have you checked levels? (should check weekly). Might just be coolant header crack - common fault, if your lucky. Need mine doing!!

jamesysam002 · Sep 13, 2009

Thats weird actually because tonight i've noticed the oil level needed topping up (which is what I did) which is the first time since i've had it that it needed doing.

Same with coolant, coolant goes down rapidly, topping it up every 3 or 4 days

No head-gasket symptoms yet though :S

Could something bad happen if I don't get the 'Coolant header' replaced? I know a lot about the specs about cars but nothing to do with how they work!!

Chaser · Sep 13, 2009

jamesysam002 said:
coolant goes down rapidly, topping it up every 3 or 4 days

No head-gasket symptoms yet though :S

not sure that's true..........

jamesysam002 · Sep 13, 2009

Its weird though, head gasket was only replaced 10,000 miles ago and the coolant has been topped up every 3 - 4 days about 5,000 miles ago :-\

Theres no milky oil or anything though, everythings normal in that dept.

Dealer can't find any problems with the coolant though, no leaks or anything. But it sure as hell is dissappearing!

Chaser · Sep 14, 2009

jamesysam002 said:
Its weird though, head gasket was only replaced 10,000 miles ago and the coolant has been topped up every 3 - 4 days about 5,000 miles ago :-\

Theres no milky oil or anything though, everythings normal in that dept.

Dealer can't find any problems with the coolant though, no leaks or anything. But it sure as hell is dissappearing!

Have the cooling system pressure tested, if there is an external leak it should show up, possibly heater matrix or something. If nothing shows then perhaps the HG is the area to keep your eye on.

Skynet · Sep 14, 2009

I would suspect that the little circles are spray from whatever is leaking. Try to identify the smell, there is a difference between hot coolant, hot oil and hot clutch/brakes. Loss of coolant would suggest that being the culprit.

chromiumuk · Sep 14, 2009

Loss of coolant & oil isn't a good sign. Did the garage who replaced the head gasket skim the head & measure for liner slippage on the block?

faureb · Sep 15, 2009

Check if heater matrix is not leaking. Resulted in smell and also misting up of windscreen on left side of my FL. Check under heater box and feel if wet...maybe even damp carpet. Should see coolant colouring.

Strange smell..

jamesysam002

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