Has anyone ever noticed a burning smell (like burning plastic) near the boot of the GP? I opened the boot and pheww.. at first I thought it was the groceries, but I ain't so sure. Checked around the car, and its neither from the engine bay or the exhaust.

(I've checked the engine oil; not as cooking-oil-look-alike, much thinner and a lot darker now, but should be sufficient for another few months or so)

you checked the rear fuse box area on the left hand side?? (assuming yours isnt an active)

failing that take teh battery clamp off the Negative terminal (to avoid the chance of a fire) and ring your dealer

Yes mine does it on start up from time to time. In fact did it about 5 mins ago.

Tis in the dealers tomorrow so will see eh!

luvduvs i swear you are the most vigilant GP owner EVER

captain chaos said:

In fact did it about 5 mins ago.

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I was there and it was quite a pungent diesel fumes smell.

You're not just paranoid luvduvs!

grandeJ said:

luvduvs i swear you are the most vigilant GP owner EVER

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That's an understatement - I'm in Bangkok now without my laptop, and I've borrowed my colleague's to login to this place - dedication?

captain chaos said:

Yes mine does it on start up from time to time. In fact did it about 5 mins ago.

Tis in the dealers tomorrow so will see eh!

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So what's the verdict?

The jurys out at the moment lol as its in all week.

Will report back when I know more

Well the jury has came back with . . . . . .. . .

Dunno cant see out wrong with it lol

Has been looked over by a fiat tech and all pressures etc etc are normal so looks like its here to stay!

captain chaos said:

Well the jury has came back with . . . . . .. . .

Dunno cant see out wrong with it lol

Has been looked over by a fiat tech and all pressures etc etc are normal so looks like its here to stay!

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Oh..

Do you know if they did what Andy Monty suggested (i.e. check fuse box)?

I have a blocked nose and can still vaguely smell it.. then again if something blows up Fiat would have to fix it under warranty, so its not high on my priority list.

The smell is down to a little bit tooooo much diesel being let in on startup on mine I believe. Very intermitant and like your good self and fiat uk inform me.

Its logged on the system as long as you maintain fiat services will be fixed if it knackers up!

Mine's a petrol and pretty much smells all the time now. Once its been switched off the smell goes away after about half a minute.

I wonder if it has something to do with the fuel I put in.. perhaps crappy fuel? (Though I avoid dodgy petrol stations and last one I bought was from Shell)

Edit: Found a couple of links about burning smells - might be useful in diagnosing?
http://www.ehow.com/how_112990_diagnose-car-smells.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_to_central/automotive/2423551.html
http://www.epinions.com/msg/show_~threads/cat_id_~3/id_~14358/forum_id_~124

Might sound daft but have you had a look underneath the car and check the exhaust pipe? Might has a plastic bag stuck to it etc which has then melted itself onto the bugga!

Then each time your exhaust is hot you get the smell until of course it cools down.

Sounds about right to me!

Not daft at all; I checked and unfortunately it wasn't as simple as that..

captain chaos said:

Might sound daft but have you had a look underneath the car and check the exhaust pipe? Might has a plastic bag stuck to it etc which has then melted itself onto the bugga!

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I had that on a mondeo...took 3 months before smell went away

I've narrowed the source of the smell to be from either the left or right (or both) rear wheel arches..

Andy Monty said:

you checked the rear fuse box area on the left hand side?? (assuming yours isnt an active)

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Where is this? I can't seem to find it..

Just looked at my above post, good god that post looks like it was written by a 2 year old, im so ashamed lol.

Im my defence I was plastered lol.

Anyway, in answer to your question. The plastic fuse box is located on the left hand side as you look into the boot. It is located under the plastic ledge which holds your parcel shelf in position.

However I do not have one and the only time I have seen them in a grande is when you have ordered rear parking sensors. They then seem to add a rear ciggy lighter at the same time and with it the fuse box.

If its coming from the rear wheel arch have you checked the tyres are not rubbing? Also has your car got rear drums? If so, the horse shoes could be catching on the internals on one of them, or even both! Take your car out for a spin and feel the wheel when you get back. If its blistering hot then thats what it could be! Perhaps the handbrake is not quite releasing the tension when released which inturn could cause the issue, that is of course if thats the problem.

Anywhoo have a look and let me know what you see.


^^^ Hope that post is more readable than my last one lol!

I don't have a fuse box either..

Btw my GP is completely standard, and not sure if I have rear drums - how do I find out?

I'll test out your theory about tyres and let you know - thanks

luvduvs said:

I don't have a fuse box either..

Btw my GP is completely standard, and not sure if I have rear drums - how do I find out?

I'll test out your theory about tyres and let you know - thanks

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You have a GP Dynamic don't you? That model has rear drum brakes.

Troy.

Yep that's right - am I screwed?

No your not screwed take it to the dealers to get them to check the tension on the hand brake. Sounds like the horseshoes inside the drums are catching as as such heating up.