Strange Smell.....

janine · Post by **janine** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:52 pm

Hi. For the past few months now I have been getting an acrid smell when I've been driving for a while. Its pretty nasty and reminds me of the time I had the brakes stick on a very old (well loved?!) Nissan Sunny. No sign of smoke though and no noticeable difference in the driving. No oil light either and not overheating.

Has anyone ever come across this before? Any suggestions? And how terrifyingly expensive is it going to be to get repaired if you're a hopeless, non-techie like me?

Any and all suggestions gratefully received! Thanks.

Janine.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:10 am

Have you noticed the smell with the heaters on janine? Next time you smell it, switch off the heaters,then see if you can still smell it a few minutes later...It could be the heater resistors burning out...very slowly admittedly

janine · Post by **janine** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:15 am

I'll give it a try, thanks!

Only thing is I'm not really noticing the smell too much inside whilst I'm driving, but when I get out. Is it still likely to be the heaters?

The Great Pretender · Post by **The Great Pretender** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:21 am

Hi Janine and welcome, if it was the wife I would say she has been driving around with a flat tyre.

Yep she did untill there was a bit of rubber left an some reinforcing wire.
Using my psychic powers im seeing a handbrake problem or a sticking caliper piston.
Put the Bongo on a SLIGHT incline, in neutral take the handbrake off. If it dosn't move or moves then slows there is a good chance its brake related.
If it rolls free im not prepared to offer further advice without a paramedic there.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:24 am

Hmm, you can smell it more outside eh?

Have you noticed the smell after a recent service?

Check that the oil level isn't too high.

Check the coolant level,if the coolant is squirting out in a fine spray somewhere,and hitting something hot,you may be able to smell burning... Its the anti-freeze burning off....

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:25 am

The Great Pretender wrote: If it rolls free im not prepared to offer further advice without a paramedic there.

The Great Pretender · Post by **The Great Pretender** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:32 am

bigdaddycain wrote:
The Great Pretender wrote: If it rolls free im not prepared to offer further advice without a paramedic there.

Auto fluid ?

janine · Post by **janine** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:35 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions and will give them a go. Unfortunately, in this respect I do conform to all sterotypes! I don't think it is a flat tyre - only because I was given a tyre pressure gauge and footpump to assist me in not making such female errors! However, should anyone need any knitting or crocheting done I shall put my location on the profile so you know where to find me.....

Janine