2010 TL SH-AWD MT with about 9500 miles on it.

I just noticed a really bad smell coming from the engine of my car. It started yesterday, but was not that bad. Today it has been REALLY bad after I drove the car to work. I can only smell it when stopped or idling.

It smells like a burning clutch or burning plastic. But it doesn't go away.

When I popped the hood, the only thing I think it can be is this rubber part shown in the pictures below. It has a bunch of wrinkles and flaking coming off of it. The part is towards the bottom of the pics.




Kind of looks like it has a lot of dirt or dust on it, but thats just the flakes.

Anyone know what this is so I can tell the dealer? Or am I just completely wrong about what I think it is?

 

check ur transmission fluid....if you have a burning smell, your tranny is on its way out...

check of any contact plastic connectors....it could be that some connector is in contact with the engine/exhaust and melting hence smelling...

 

Th OP has an MT. It isn't the tranny fluid.

Hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like hose or plastic pipe is contacting the exhaust or other other hot part and is melting or chafing. I'd get it in immediately before it causes other damage.

Let us know what it turns out to be.

 

^^^ didnt read that part....good catch

 

So I took my car to the dealership this morning and had them take a look.

Unfortunately they could not find anything wrong with it. They tested out my clutch and determined that it is working fine.

The part that I thought was wrinkled and flaking is just 'normal wear' for the amount of heat that is output by the engine.

They told me they would 'note it' down in my file in case any future incidents occur and sent me on my way.

The car still smells. Like burning plastic. Besides this it still drives like a dream. If I keep my windows up, I cant smell anything at all.

Should I take it in to another dealer? I went to Autowest Acura in the bay area.

 

^^^ It's under warranty-it's worth a try.

 

Did you run over a plastic bag?

 

No plastic bag. The dealer also suggested that. I definitely tried to look at it as much as I could before I took it in.

"It smells bad" is never a good description alone.