It's hard to describe a smell

[DerrickCaracter]

But I JUST bought this car and it smells like burning plastic when I get out of the car. I really hope I don't need a repair 3 days into ownership

[Jaxonalden]

Could be worst, could smell like dog crap! :dance:

Crawl under the car and follow the exhaust system from the heads to the tail pipes, it's the only thing hot enough to melt plastic. Insure nothing is loose that can come in contact with the exhaust under driving conditions (wind, suspension travel or did you just pick up a WalMart bag).

[DerrickCaracter]

Originally Posted by Jaxonalden

Could be worst, could smell like dog crap! :dance:

Crawl under the car and follow the exhaust system from the heads to the tail pipes, it's the only thing hot enough to melt plastic. Insure nothing is loose that can come in contact with the exhaust under driving conditions (wind, suspension travel or did you just pick up a WalMart bag).

The funny thing is, I did drive over a grocery bag and didn't see it come out...but does this actually happen? The smell still exists the next day

[kpm]

Yes ! I hate plastic bags in the roadway. They do stick and stink...bad.

[coreseller]

Had this happen to me on a different car years back, the smell hung around for quite awhile if I remember right.

[kpm]

I had the Boxster out for a little exercise and on the way home I was sitting in the left turn lane waiting for the light to change, when a black plastic bag blew across the road and stopped in front of the car.

I made the wife get out and pick it up before the light changed !

[70Sixter]

Originally Posted by kpm

Yes ! I hate plastic bags in the roadway. They do stick and stink...bad.

They also can block your radiators.

[Jaxonalden]

Originally Posted by DerrickCaracter

The funny thing is, I did drive over a grocery bag and didn't see it come out...but does this actually happen? The smell still exists the next day

It could last until next week if not longer!! If it is a bag, try and scrape it off while it's cold, it might break off in one chunk. If not, take a drive to heat it up and use a paint scraper.

[Finnegan]

Thread from the dead! I had this happen to me last night; a distinctive plastic burning smell coming from under the car. I checked this morning and sure enough, found the remains of some heavy duty plastic melted to the rear portion of the exhaust. Thank you!