[CadillacDan]

I have a CTS with low mileage (2k) and I owned it for over 6 months. Now, once in a while, I smell this burning odor. Like plastic. I thought it might be the belts. Anyway, I drive it to the dealer, they can smell it at first, but then can't replicate it again. I am not sure if it will come back, but has anyone ever heard of this problem before? Could it be I just don't drive it enough and something is burning out? Any suggestions would be great!

Dan

 

[BUILDINGCTSAMG]

Havent had that problem....I have noticed that the air filter for the cabin (i.e. the thing the filters the stuff u breathe) is very weak if existant... (i believe that mine may be missing one entirely!) so maybe that may have something to do with it?

 

[CadillacDan]

No, it's strong rubber burning smell. I picked it up from the dealer, it was fine. Drove tonight about 5 miles and it came back. Driving me crazy!! Maybe someone dealt with something similar.... Other than the the CTS is awesome!!

 

[elwesso]

See if you can try and locate more specifically where it is coming from....

 

[CadillacDan]

Well, it doesn't happen when I have the heating/ac fan on. If I turn my climate control, it happens. I will call the dealer tomorrow...

 

[CadillacDan]

Just a followup - after 2 days of the car being at the dealer, they finally were able to see some 'gooey' stuff coming out of some housing (unclear on the phone, the main guy was at lunch when I went to pick it up). Anyway, on the invoice it looks like they replaced a lot of stuff. Including the thermostat, coolant, seals (they said, weak seals) and clamps. Took it for a long drive, and it looks like the smell is gone. I hope this doesn't come back.

 

[Ralph]

I've been test-driving a lot of new cars lately and have noticed a burning smell, especially stopped at lights of after engine shut-off near the front-end. I just considered this normal for new materials in a car getting hot.

 

[HotRodSaint]

I've been test-driving a lot of new cars lately and have noticed a burning smell, especially stopped at lights of after engine shut-off near the front-end. I just considered this normal for new materials in a car getting hot.

'

That's cosmoline <sp> burning off the underside. Normal.

 

[CadillacDan]

No, this smells like when a vaccum cleaner belt goes bad... you know, really rubbery smell. Like if you were to burn a tire. As a matter of fact, I thought it could be that the tires were under inflated. That was the first thing I checked - but then I noticed it coming from the vents.... Anyway, day two and the smell is not there... so hopefully they fixed it.

 

[HotRodSaint]

No, this smells like when a vaccum cleaner belt goes bad...

Sorry, I was addressing Ralph with that.

 

[Ralph]

No, this smells like when a vaccum cleaner belt goes bad... you know, really rubbery smell. Like if you were to burn a tire. As a matter of fact, I thought it could be that the tires were under inflated. That was the first thing I checked - but then I noticed it coming from the vents.... Anyway, day two and the smell is not there... so hopefully they fixed it.

Actually, the rubber burning does describe the smell quite well, especially when I drove a 2003 Mustang GT, I thought the tranny was fried. What is this "cosmoline?" Does it have something to do with the undercoating or ?.

 

[HotRodSaint]

What is this "cosmoline?" Does it have something to do with the undercoating or ?.

It's a protective coating they spray on the underside of car's for shipping. So it's on a lot of hot parts and burns off.

 

[BUILDINGCTSAMG]

I think its a different smell then cosmoline, i think what hes referring to smells more like burning a clutch or driving around with your parking brake engaged fully. (If you havent smelled either, run do not walk to your nearest 30 something mother i guarentee she has done it atleast once)

 

[AKPsiMC03]

Actually, the rubber burning does describe the smell quite well, especially when I drove a 2003 Mustang GT, I thought the tranny was fried. What is this "cosmoline?" Does it have something to do with the undercoating or ?.

you should have made another rubber smell and lit up the tires

 

[Ralph]

you should have made another rubber smell and lit up the tires

Don't worry, I did that too! There is quite a lot of "wheel hop" on a new Mustang GT!

 

[CIOMAIL]

anyword I am having the same problem

 

[dkozloski]

Lubricated condoms?

 

[RightTurn]

anyword I am having the same problem

Hello and :welcome:. As you see, this thread is from 2003, so you likely won't hear from the original poster. Hopefully someone else can help. What year is your CTS and how many miles on it?

 

[Mike2908]

Frequently a burning plastic smell is from running over a plastic bag. It'll stick to an exhaust pipe or catalytic converter and melt onto it. It can take months to burn off and sometimes you have to scrape it off with a razor knife.

 

[z06bigbird]

No, this smells like when a vaccum cleaner belt goes bad... you know, really rubbery smell. Like if you were to burn a tire. As a matter of fact, I thought it could be that the tires were under inflated. That was the first thing I checked - but then I noticed it coming from the vents.... Anyway, day two and the smell is not there... so hopefully they fixed it.

Vacuum cleaner belt! We now know who wears pants in family.