Smoke!!!

[llmidill]

Slightly worried... I've had my G a week today (2.0JTDM 170) I have done about 400 mile in her. Tonight whilst driving home from work I could smell smoke, I initially assumed it was coming from outside but I kept smelling it everywhere I went and eventually the penny dropped! I stopped the car and lifted the bonnet (at least I can say I've been there!) and in the lights beam I could see a bit of smoke and the smell was definitely coming form the front of the car I believe just behind the radiator. It soon went so I limped her back home. I have no warning lights to suggest this is something sinister so I'm guessing this is possibly something touching the hot engine and burning. So I'm wondering, firstly has anyone had any similar issues and secondly if not does anyone have any idea what it could be? I'm obviously going to get it checked out and I'm not looking for an easy fix I'd just like to have an idea of what it could be when I speak to the garage because sods law it won't do it tomorrow!

Thanks in advance,

(a very upset) Mike

[iacovosm]

Hi,

I had a similar problem with my G QV. I purchased the car last December and I noticed immediately a bad smell (like a toxic gas) in the cabin. I found (personally) that there was a leakage of exhaust gas from a fastening ring before the turbo. I went to the Alfa garage to fix the problem. As a first action they tried to tied more the ring, as it is adjustable, but there was no result. As a second action they changed the ring (photo 3) and the problem was solved. They informed me that there was a factory notice for that ring and that the new one was a new type.
I am not sure that this is applicable for your car, but I hope I helped.

[llmidill]

Thank you for the reply I'm just about to take it to the garage (I live a stones throw away from a Fiat garage so hoping they'll have a look for me) I'll mention the above and get them to check it. The smell could be confused with a normal fire type smell which is why I think it could be something burning against the engine. I'm just hoping they don't want to take her away from me for long!

I'll post the result for anyone god forbid who may suffer the same issues.

[davidjwbailey]

nasty - fortunately rare it seems.
only two times I've ever had smoke:
1 - I hit a bird (smelled bad, easy to fix)
2 - the Alfa 33 CL I was driving exploded and put me in Bedford Hospital.

I am very wary of smoke now.

[noblualfa]

Originally Posted by davidjwbailey

nasty - fortunately rare it seems.
only two times I've ever had smoke:
1 - I hit a bird (smelled bad, easy to fix)
2 - the Alfa 33 CL I was driving exploded and put me in Bedford Hospital.

I am very wary of smoke now.

Exploded ! Crapp!
It's a wonder you're not very wary of Alfa's too !
Glad you survived !
Also , love that red leather in your QV !
Very very nice .

[Guili]

I had the same smell when I collected my car and drove about 300 hard km's, lol.

When I got out my wife and dad asked what's the smell...I opened the bonnet to find that same issue iacovosm had...I didn't change anything though...the smell went away.

[powers2]

Originally Posted by llmidill

Slightly worried... I've had my G a week today (2.0JTDM 170) I have done about 400 mile in her. Tonight whilst driving home from work I could smell smoke, I initially assumed it was coming from outside but I kept smelling it everywhere I went and eventually the penny dropped! I stopped the car and lifted the bonnet (at least I can say I've been there!) and in the lights beam I could see a bit of smoke and the smell was definitely coming form the front of the car I believe just behind the radiator. It soon went so I limped her back home. I have no warning lights to suggest this is something sinister so I'm guessing this is possibly something touching the hot engine and burning. So I'm wondering, firstly has anyone had any similar issues and secondly if not does anyone have any idea what it could be? I'm obviously going to get it checked out and I'm not looking for an easy fix I'd just like to have an idea of what it could be when I speak to the garage because sods law it won't do it tomorrow!

Thanks in advance,

(a very upset) Mike

Hi LLmdill,
Can you determine what type of smell it is?Is it an exhaust gas smell,hot antifreeze or burning plastic smell ?

[llmidill]

It was a burning smell like setting fire to paper which is why I was less concerned. Been to fiat who checked for any obvious issues and as I thought they advised it is likely to be something left in the engine when built that is burning off and that if there was a component issue it should show on the dash. Got her booked in at Alfa though to be on the safe side as fiat won't fix alfas under warranty which is annoying as fiat is at the end of my street and Alfa is a 40 mile round trip. Other than that the car is brilliant I don't want to put off any potential buyers as the lack of responses would suggest its not a regular issue and it (fingers crossed) will probably turn out to be nothing anyway! I shall keep you posted though.