After my drive to work this morning and after my drive home just now, I have noticed a very distinct burning plastic smell coming from the passenger-side rear wheel well. Just started this morning - I can usually smell other things - just hot engine smells, but this is totally different and new.

Anyone have thoughts? I called my dealer to schedule a drop-off for tomorrow morning.

My only thought is a cable or something touching a hot metal part, so the plastic coating is starting to burn through. I'd rather not have an engine fire, thankyouverymuch. That fire extinguisher in my frunk is just for show!

 

Well, I had this happen, but it was because I ran over a plastic trash bag that adhered to the bottom of the exhaust system.

For those that are inclined to tell me I should have avoided it, my choices were a dump truck in the oncoming lane, a ditch, or a trash bag. I picked the trash bag.

 

That's where your mufflers and hottest exhaust pieces are located.
Most probably a plastic bag or something plastic stuck to one of the pipes.

This happened to my other car and the smell was very distinct and can linger every time you drive the car.
Take a look with a flash light and you'll probably see some plastic residue.

 

Thanks for the tips. Jacked up the rear, got under there with a flashlight and found a weird black something that was congealed on a side of a muffler. Some undetermined black piece of plastic obviously got kicked up and stuck to the muffler, then oozed into a gooey mess. I was able to chip it off and the mystery is solved! Thanks all. I can sleep well.

 

Glad it was something simple, and the problem is solved. Bet you took a big breath after that!

 

Same happened to me in my AMG... Only it was like a huge tarpaulin sheet so i knew about it! By the time i could stop safely it was nicely shrink wrapping my underside... The smell lasted 6 months... Nice!

 

You're welcome.
Anything to help our brethren avoid a trip to the dreaded dealership.
My order of preference;
1. Childbirth.
2. Root canal.
3. Proctologist visit (with large hands)
4. Porsche service visit.

 

Funny stuff!!

Great to see such trivial information can be found on here!

The Tortureship or Stealership is indeed one painful experience.

The amount of knowledge floating around on this forum exceeds the knowledge of every Service Assmassador out there.

Glad you guys are here!