[ThomasJefferson]

Hey guys,

Lately I’ve been noticing a chemical or maybe burning plastic smell whenever I stop with windows open. I think the best way to describe the smell is like that of drying epoxy or adhesive

it’s definitely coming from the car, I smell it everywhere I go.

I thought it could be the brakes, so I’ve tried stopping hard. Doesn’t seem to be them.

I thought it was maybe rubber tires getting hot, but I smell it leaving my garage too...

I only smell it with the windows down. When windows are closed, i don’t smell it, even with The AC on...

Any ideas?

[Kitzhabersucks]

Originally Posted by ThomasJefferson

Hey guys,

Lately I’ve been noticing a chemical or maybe burning plastic smell whenever I stop with windows open. I think the best way to describe the smell is like that of drying epoxy or adhesive

it’s definitely coming from the car, I smell it everywhere I go.

I thought it could be the brakes, so I’ve tried stopping hard. Doesn’t seem to be them.

I thought it was maybe rubber tires getting hot, but I smell it leaving my garage too...

I only smell it with the windows down. When windows are closed, i don’t smell it, even with The AC on...

Any ideas?

My guess is that what you're actually smelling is a combination of:
Self loathing
Fear
Anxiety
feces
Vomit
Yep... you likely have a dead Social Justice Warrior under your hood.
Climbed up there to get out of the cold after a night of "protesting" police brutality, inequality, and Trump.
Odds are it's a 20-something white "person" that has substantial college debt after 3 years of classes like:
Gender neutrality
Why we hate Whiteness
Skinny jeans and Man-buns 101

When you pop that hood. Let me know if I'm right...thanks

[clericdc]

I had the same experience on my f80 and turned out to just be a plastic bag that melted to some metals underneath the car. It eventually went away. Hope it’s something just as trivial.

[xlover]

If it is consistent and easy to point out take it by the dealer

[BMWZ4]

How new is the vehicle? If only a matter of days or even a week or thereabouts, I would suggest that burning smell is normal. I've smelled it on every new vehicle I've owned, but if course the smell dissappeares after a week or so.

[ThomasJefferson]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

How new is the vehicle?

I got it around Jan 1 2020. It’s entirely possible it always smelled, but the first half of the year I had windows closed 🙁

I think I’ll take it by the dealer next week and see if they can figure it out

[Kitzhabersucks]

Wondering if it's related to a "burn off" from your CAT's and the fuel you're burning?
The combination can make for some odd odors.