Burnt Plastic Smell?
Firehawk13
03-03-2011, 02:09 PM
Hey guys! I have an '08 Dodge Dakota which was bought with 55,000 miles on it in great condition. Had it checked out before purchasing and have had 0 problems since buying it. On the way home today I had an empty stretch of road with no one around so I more or less floored it for a few seconds and topped out at just 50 mph. After parking I noticed a distinct burnt plastic smell from the engine and some light white smoke coming from under the hood (not pouring out mind you, just some light trails). The truck drove normally all the way home, and after inspecting the engine I saw nothing burning nor could I locate the source of the burning smell. The smoke disappeared within a minute of shutting the engine off, and the smell faded soon as well. After looking online I searched for plastic bags and the like stuck to the undercarriage and exhaust, but couldn't find anything. Is this normal? I couldn't find any melting plastic or any other source for the burning smell. The transmission fluid and coolant are both topped off and fine as far as I can tell. Could it just be the clutch burning a bit from me stomping on the accelerator? The engine did seem to be a bit hot when I parked, but cooled off quite normally and didn't seem to be overheating when I let it idle while parked.
metalhead608
03-03-2011, 06:39 PM
check the wheel wells by the front tires, there is plastic/rubber flaps that are close to the manifolds. any new parts? maybe a sticker left on one. my new exhaust smelled for weeks cause of stickers that wouldn't come completly off
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