Technical Burning Smell in Cab

[superrichy]

Hi wondered if anyone had any experience with the following problem?

I turned my GP on this morning and there is a disgusting smell coming from the air vents, which smells like something is burnt/burning, but on examination under bonnet and in the cab there is no smoke or any signs of fire. The car seems ok to drive but the fumes coming out of the air vents is pretty bad, but does dissipate a lot if i turn off the air con/blowers. It makes no difference if the air con is on or off or if i take air from inside the cabin only?

The problem i have is i am not at home visiting friends so getting home to my dealer is a 150 mile journey, so before calling the AA to come check wondered if anyone had any similar experience,

cheers.

 

[T14086]

breather hose its a common problem, you can do quick temp repair with some tape until you can get it replaced by Fiat garage.

Oh its under the airbox (2 x 10mm bolts), you can see the big hose if you look under airbox from left side (looking at engine) its oil vapour.

Welcome to FF by the way.

 

[superrichy]

Thanks very much!

 

[T14086]

your welcome

 

[WildFir3]

Hi guys, I think I have this exact same problem, so thought I'd continue this thread rather than open a new one.

I had burning-smell smoke start pouring out my vents almost immediately when I started my car the other morning. I hadn't driven it for maybe a week. I switched the engine off pretty quick.

I started it up again with the heater & blower off completely. I turned the fan on and it blows air fine (any speed, no smoke). I didn't try the heater again.

T (or anyone else), please could you elaborate on what you think the problem is? Is this breather hose nothing to do with the heating system? I.e. - would the breather hose problem make smoke regardless of whether my heating was on or not?

Cheers

 

[T14086]

have you checked the wiring on the heater resistor yet?

 

[WildFir3]

The 5-pin connector (with 4 wires in it) at the back of the passenger footwell, right? There's no sign of any damage/burning to the wires/connector there.

 

[T14086]

check the 2 hoses on underside of heater box as detailed above next then.

 

[WildFir3]

Sorry I haven't updated this thread for a while - Christmas period was very busy... I used the car a fair bit over xmas but without turning on the heating - until one journey it just got so darn cold I just had to try it -- and the air got hot fine.

I have just observed quite a few threads in here talking about alternators smoking when starting the car - due to the water draining onto them and then freezing, causing lots of smoke, some of which enters the car through the vents. Sounds exactly like what happened to me and would explain why heater still seemed to work perfectly when I tried it at a later date. I'm going to investigate my alternator more closely soon - but since I haven't had any probs with battery (yet) I am hoping the belt didn't split.

 

[T14086]

thanks for updating us

 

[iamjester]

hi guys, my GP 1.2 active had the oil smell problem. the mechanic at work took the air filter off and on the underneath of it is the little pipe that was split. but you could only see it when off. he replaced it for me. thanks for the info.

 

[T14086]

yep thats the breather hose (post #2) £7.72+vat