Smoke on Startup

[Don]

OK chaps.

The Chimaera, back from its recent service, has blotted its copy book again.

I went to get it out of the garage this morning, reversed about ten yards and stopped as smoke started drifting up out from under the bonnet. The smoke was coming from right up near the windscreen. Driver's side of the car.

So I immediately stopped. Switched off. Popped the bonnet and took a look. No more smoke, couldn't see where it had been coming from either but there was definitely the smell of "burning rubber".

The engine hadn't had a chance to warm up so it has to be something electrical? (Maybe).

I started it up again and ran it back into the garage. Switched it off and got into my (only slightly more reliable) Porsche and drove to work.

Obviously I will have it checked out and, if necessary, recovered to our new favourite dealer for diagnosis and repair.

But, errm, anyone have a clue as to what I could check. I'm reluctant to fire it up without a fire extinguisher to hand...and an expert, frankly...

Ah well. The joys of ownership, eh?

[plotloss]

Did they change the oil?

Did they spill a bit on the exhaust?

[targarama]

Something touching an exhaust manifold would by my first guess - like a HT lead. However, you say it was immediately on start-up, I guess it's a case of having a good poke around with a torch.

Make sure the fuel lines are not leaking where they go from flexi to metal on the driver's side right behind the rocker cover.

[shnozz]

same lines as Plotloss but did they top up the coolant? easy to drip some on the exhaust...

waxoyle?

I would be inclined to start it with the bonnet up to see where its coming from...

[Don]

Thanks for the suggestions, chaps. I'll have a good nose around tonight.

It didn't smell of fuel or coolant. Thing is - the wife drove it home a good twenty miles or so a week or two back. It hasn't been out since...

[Don]

targarama said:

Make sure the fuel lines are not leaking where they go from flexi to metal on the driver's side right behind the rocker cover.

Scary. I'll take a look...

[Steve_T]

It's not just condensation is it Don? JonRB had a similar problem when he used his car after a few weeks (spoke to him about it on the weekend). I'll try and dig out the thread.

Cheers,

Steve.

Edited to say : here it is www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?f=8&h=&t=125746

>> Edited by Steve_T on Monday 18th October 11:36

[Big Al.]

I normally get this when I have a spray around under the bonnet with WD40.

It's worse if I don't use it for a couple of days and forget that I have had a spray around!

[Don]

Steve_T said:

It's not just condensation is it Don? JonRB had a similar problem when he used his car after a few weeks (spoke to him about it on the weekend). I'll try and dig out the thread. Cheers, Steve. Edited to say : here it is www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?f=8&h=&t=125746 >> Edited by Steve_T on Monday 18th October 11:36

No, I'm afraid not. It definitely smelt of burning rubber.

[plotloss]

Gotta be thinking either hose/manifold or sealant/manifold interface...

[ntel]

Check that the power steering hoses under the resevoir are not leaking. PAS fluid tends to track down the outside of the hoses eventually dripping onto the manifold. Well worth a look.

[Martin_S]

Also check the main cable from the battery to the starter motor. This can overheat and melt its insulation when the starter motor is operated under some cicumstances.

[steveb*]

When I had some smoke & burning spell it was the major fuse in the battery compartment. One of the nuts had come loose, the connection was heating up & burning the plastic cover. This is, however, obviously on the passenger side, but smoke can find an exit in strange places! Good luck.

[Don]

targarama said:

Make sure the fuel lines are not leaking where they go from flexi to metal on the driver's side right behind the rocker cover.

Errr. It looks like this, I'm afraid.

Car obviously needs yet more TLC again...

[shnozz]

Don said:

targarama said: Make sure the fuel lines are not leaking where they go from flexi to metal on the driver's side right behind the rocker cover. Errr. It looks like this, I'm afraid.

good job you were eagle eyed in this case

[targarama]

Don said:

targarama said: Make sure the fuel lines are not leaking where they go from flexi to metal on the driver's side right behind the rocker cover. Errr. It looks like this, I'm afraid. Car obviously needs yet more TLC again...

Scarey.

They shouldn't be expensive to replace, it's only a few cm of pipe. I replaced nearly every pipe in my engine bay as I knew the heat had weakened them over the years. While you're 'in there' check the hose between the inlet plenum and the servo - these get weak and reduce the servo's power, when they fail you can guess what happens to your brakes.

>> Edited by targarama on Thursday 21st October 09:16