Burning grass from exhaust...

 

Burning smell? Well we have a 2 wheel drive and have covered some 3500 miles.

Every now and then we get a strong smell of burning which smells like electrical. It lasts only a few minutes and we have looked everywhere on the car to see where it comes from. We are convinced it is from the underside but can't see anything which is damaged. The smell in the cabin is really strong and is so bad we have stopped the car to check. We thought at first it was fluid from the air con. but that would only be water. As we say it smells electrical but so far everything works.

Hopefully someone out there can help or advise as we do not want to get stuck somewhere or more importantly put ourselves in danger.

This has been like this since about 1000 miles and any suggestions would be gratefully received.

 

Is it the Diesel particulate filter system burning off the carbon, as it should on a Diesel?

 

Thanks Rick. But I checked this every time as this was my first thought. So I even drove at 2000 +rpm for several minutes just to make sure.

 

Did you get any where with this problem because I have exactly the same thing, it happened today and again about 3 to 4 weeks ago?

 

I get it every so often too.

 

I had the "burning smell issue" today, and had to google it.
Found a fairly liable answer on another forum :
When the car senses wheel spin on either front or rear wheels, the traction control system tries to brake the wheel (left or right) that is slipping to transfer torque to the opposite (not turning, left or right) wheel.
The smell could be coming from the brake pads and brake discs.

 

Next time I'm out i'll make my traction control kick in and go smell my wheels and let you know!

 

Dont think so gooli I was turning into the drive, not wheel spinning.

 

i had a burning smell on tuesday (only picked the car up on saturday) its done 196 miles. my wife got home from work and there was a strong burning smell - like burning plastic - coming from the engine bay and inside the car.

we rang dealer and they booked it in for a whole morning on the thursday to have a look but said try vauxhall assist as they might send someone out. vauxhall assist promptly dispatched the AA which arrived in 15 mins. The AA man had a good look around the car and saw something on the exhaust which when he jacked it up turned out to be a long quality control type sticker that had shrivelled up with the heat. i tested it and it still smelt a bit burny when i got back but its been fine since then.



Interestingly he asked if it was a 4wd as they've just been told that they aren't allowed to tow them anywhere........

 

Now that is very interesting. we have covered just 3700 miles and keep getting the smell on a weekly basis. We are fairly sure it is the partial filter for the diesel. However, I have taken to clearing this as suggested in the handbook, by driving at around 3500 rpm for a few minutes. But I still get the smell of burning regardless of this. I will check under the vehicle but with the mileage covered, I feel a sticker is un-lightly.

So the suggestion made by the AA is interesting and I am interested to hear if the smell re-appears. Please keep us informed.

Nether the lessthe longer we have the Mokka the more we love it, even with the continuing headlight hassle which at times appears ok after re-setting to right hand drive a couple of times to re-align the lights, but then a few days later everyone flashes us!

Must get these lights sorted!

 

Interestingly he asked if it was a 4wd as they've just been told that they aren't allowed to tow them anywhere........

True, see the handbook, the AWD model has to be put on a low loader or dolly.

 

Interestingly he asked if it was a 4wd as they've just been told that they aren't allowed to tow them anywhere........

True, see the handbook, the AWD model has to be put on a low loader or dolly.

When reading the handbook and seeing the use of Dolly's it appears to be very ambiguous to me (but maybe that is just me being a bit thick).

I would agree with the A.A. Patrol and I would insist on a full lift from any breakdown recovery service with no use of a dolly.

 

I had burning smell when reversing up a steepincline (1.4 awd) which remained in the car untilI took it to the dealer. Smeltas if pickle onion vigigar had been spilt in the carLooked under the bonnet and discovered a amber stain on the top heat guard over the rdaiator
Took it to the dealer who informed me that wax had melted causing the stain and smell
They cleaned it off and the smell has gone.

The AWL Off light has appeared for the third time after being checked twice.

 

I had the burning smell the other day, although I think mine was the clutch which im blaming on the "Hill-Start Assist". As when the Hill-Start Assist is active it holds the car for 3 seconds to prevent roll back.... but the thing is.... if you've got your biting point and accelerate before the Assist turns off your effectively accelerating with the brakes on and not disengaging the clutch which is resulting in the plates rubbing.
Edited by: Soundwave

 

Touch wood, I have never had a burning smell after 7,000/8,000 miles.
I am/was under the impression that the brakes hold the car for upto 3 seconds and that when the car sensed the vehicle start to move, released the brakes. The sensing in cars those days takes milli-seconds so you shouldn't experience any burning smell. If this wasn't the case then surely everyone would experience the same burning smell.
Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

I agree with Mokkadna - "Hill Start Assist" holds for up to 3 seconds, but releases immediately when clutch hits biting point. I have had this feature in my last 3 vehicles and all acted in similar fashion.

 

The Hill Start Assist works like the E hand brake on the Renaults?.. which I think released uponbiting point(I done my driving lessons in one of those).... im a biker so Hill Start Assist was putting my feet on the floor ;-)
Might have beenme riding the clutch on that occasion then:-o

 

I too have had a burning smell from my 1.7 diesel 4x4. I was reversing uphill & turning left into my driveway at low-speed. There was a mist appeared in the cabin and my immediate thought was electrical burning i.e. wires shorting etc... I considered the 4x4 situation i.e. wheels out of sync on a left turn reverse, & that the auto braking on a downhill gradient hadn't disengaged properly but there was certainly no resistance and am convinced electrical rather than mechanical. It was so bad I immediately got the missus & dog out of the car as I feared it was going to burst into flames, but it went as soon as I switched off and has not repeated since. I only had 200 miles on clock when it did it ???

 

I think you might have pushed hard on your clutch plate to reverse uphill.

 

I've also had this, less than 1000 miles on the clock, a couple of times in the cabin, I'm speculating it's something to do with the aircon or heated seats, as I only get it, at least for now, when the climate control is on and the seat heaters are on.

 

I was getting the burning smell too on my 1.4T FWD. I am now on around 2700 miles and I don't remember smelling it for a good while now. Maybe it's just the 'newness' burning off some bits.

 

Forget what I said earlier, the smell is like wax or PVC wiring burning.

Got the smell last night around 30 seconds after hearing a loud click from the doors, it wasn't the auto lock as the doors where already locked, and that is louder. This might be a blue cod (red herring) but I'll keep my ears open and nostrils ready for when I hear it again.

If it's not this then, as all models are getting it the most plausible explanation is the under seal wax dripping and flashing off on the exhaust somewhere, if not then the cars going to the dealers quickly!!!!!!

 

only had my car since Saturday and had been ok until I drove home tonight and had a really bad burning smell. Called dealer and am taking it in tomorrow but an a bit nervous to drive it to the garage. Also have stopped going round corners a couple of times what is that all about??

 

If you mean the engine cutting out, search the forum, common problem that Vauxhall are reluctant to recognise.!!