Burnt Plastic Smell - Transmission?

rob8827 · Dec 9, 2004

I was hoping someone could give me their expertise on a strange smell which started after I picked my 99 Mustang Cobra from the dealer. I had them drain and refill manual gear box (transmission), replace fuel filter, and change oil. I noticed a burnt plastic smell after I got home yesterday and today when I got home from work. The smell isn't real strong but definitely noticeable. Any ideas on what it could be or steps to take if it were you?

Sick96Stang · Dec 9, 2004

Make sure you are not leaking any sort of fluid and if you are not I would just monitor it for a week or so. If the smell persists take it back to the dealership you bought it from and tell them what is happening. If you want to be really safe take it back to the dealer tommrow and tell them you smell something funny and tell them to look at it and fix it.

COBRA90GT · Dec 9, 2004

Take a look underneath the car - it could be something simple like a plastic bag that got caught on a part of the exhaust tubes (those things smell like absolute doo doo when they melt on hot exhaust pipes).

Give the car a once-over to look for any signs of a plastic line or hose making contact with a hot metal surface as well.

JonJon · Dec 9, 2004

is it a 5 speed?
isn't that a clutch smell

Sick96Stang · Dec 9, 2004

JonJon said:
is it a 5 speed?
isn't that a clutch smell

Did you do anything funky since you got the car that would burn up the clutch? Could be clutch but that normally doesnt just making a smell out of the middle of nowhere, you normally have to do something.

JonJon · Dec 9, 2004

Sick96Stang said:
Did you do anything funky since you got the car that would burn up the clutch? Could be clutch but that normally doesnt just making a smell out of the middle of nowhere, you normally have to do something.

heck, when I had my clutch problem (install was fine but my input shaft was bent so it screwed with the clutch) as I pulled into the shop where I got my work done, it started smelling horrible. maybe a plastic-ish smell. I was NOT driving hard or anything, I got off the highway and went there and when we stopped at light, I was like "what is that smell??"

When we got to the place the shop guy was like "definately clutch smell". All is well now after the input shaft was fixed.

Sick96Stang · Dec 9, 2004

JonJon said:
heck, when I had my clutch problem (install was fine but my input shaft was bent so it screwed with the clutch) as I pulled into the shop where I got my work done, it started smelling horrible. maybe a plastic-ish smell. I was NOT driving hard or anything, I got off the highway and went there and when we stopped at light, I was like "what is that smell??"

When we got to the place the shop guy was like "definately clutch smell". All is well now after the input shaft was fixed.

Hmm could be the same thing for him. Like I said if it persists I would take it into the dealership and tell them to fix it.

rob8827 · Dec 9, 2004

No, I have not put any stress or abuse on the clutch (actually it was replaced a couple months back). I'll check for leaks/plastic in the morning. I was just worried about this since I've never smelled something like this coming from a car. Didn't know if it could be the new fluid in the gear box causing it for some reason.

twogts4us · Dec 9, 2004

Ck the PCV valve for leakage - the connection between the hose and the PCV valve itself sprang a leak and dripped oil on the valve cover...and it smelled like burning plastic. I feared the worst, and was almost happy to find this simple problem.

Go HoTO! · Dec 9, 2004

Happened to me too! Turned out to be a piece of electrical tape on my X Pipe.

Burnt Plastic Smell - Transmission?

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