Technical possible engine problem...

[mjw1977uk]

Hi, I recently purchased a tipo 1.4 ie s. when i arrived at work today i noticed that there was a funny smell, a little like a burning smell which lasted no more than 10-15 seconds. at the same time i noticed what i thought was smoke coming from the engine past the windscreen, again this lasted briefly only approx 30-45 seconds before clearing up.

ive noticed this odd smell before but not when im driving. just happens when i turn off the engine and im stationary. never lasting more than 10 seconds. ive checked the oil, water etc and it doesn't seem to be overheating. the temp gauge stays between 50-90.

i cant see any obvious leaks and when i used the vehicle at lunch and in the evening there were no noticeable problems. any ideas?

 

[i've had 6 tipo's]

Do you have the heater on, dial in red, when this happens? If so your heater matrix will have gone. cheap to buy but a pain in the ass to fit!

 

[mjw1977uk]

very good point, the heater was on but i cant remember if it was in the red or blue. i must admit when i went on lunch i turned the heater off and just had the windows down and there were no probs.

i will see what happens over the next few days.

ideally this is the only issue and not the head gasket!

many thanks for your help

 

[Trancendental]

i noticed what i thought was smoke coming from the engine past the windscreen, again this lasted briefly only approx 30-45 seconds before clearing up.

Are you sure the smoke you saw wasn't evaporation of condensed liquid coming off the radiator or bonnet? I often mistook this for smoke but it never has been... except for the time a pully fell off the engine after a dodgy mechanic serviced it and I lost power steering and the water pump and the altenator

ive noticed this odd smell before but not when im driving. just happens when i turn off the engine and im stationary. never lasting more than 10 seconds. ive checked the oil, water etc and it doesn't seem to be overheating. the temp gauge stays between 50-90.

When you move sometimes you blow away the smells and you can't smell them so they are only noticed when stationary.

only random smell I can remember smelling briefly when stationary or just after movement is clutch burn.

 

[mjw1977uk]

strange thing is that this only appears to happen in the mornings. yesterday in the afternoon/evening no problems at all but this morning when i arrived, there was smoke and an odd smell.

after lifting the bonet i noticed the smoke was coming from an area behind where the main engine head is cased (apologies i have very limited mechanical knowledge) and it lasted about a minute or so then disappeared.

I'm hoping this is nothing serious but I guess the best bet is to get it seen too.

 

[sumplug]

is it coming from the scuttle area which is the channel between the windscreen and engine bay.? you will find the wiper motor sat in there.does it smell sickly sweet? if so, you have a coolant leak.if it smells like burnt matches,then its an electrical problem and potential fire hazard.get this checked out pronto before its too late!!!!!!!!!

 

[mjw1977uk]

thanks, will do.

My father-in-law who is a retired mechanic thinks it could also be a small oil leak and the smell is as a result of the oil dripping on to the exhaust manifold (something like that). He will take a look at it.

Whatever the outcome, I will post the result so that you kind people can tell others in the future in the problem is raised by someone else.