Santro -- engine burning stench?

clark_kent · 20th April 2007, 09:33

Guys,
This has happenend twice in the last week and really has me worried.

Within 10minutes of me starting my Santro (with the AC on) a horrendous stench (as if a rat died!!!) starts emanating in the car. The stench has been so bad that I could sense it even if I went out of the car and was standing atleast 5feet away from the car.

This stench then automatically stops after about approx 1/2 an hour. I use the car for atleast 1hr drive in the morning and evening.

I initially felt that the engine was burning so I stopped the car in the middle of the road and opened the bonnett to check if anything was wrong "under the hood". However, nothing seems out of the ordinary (all the fluids are OK too!).

Any ideas what could be causing it, any cables burning,anything? This doesnt happen on all my trips (only twice this week) out of atleast 12-14 trips.

Tha car is obviously still runnning and I plan to take it to the service center this weekend to check it out, but I would like to find out people's opinion (smell is similar to something like an engine burning, so it worries me!

nishantgandhi · 25th June 2008, 14:47

Maybe a rat has actually died inside the a/c pipe

VJ_MAVRICK · 25th June 2008, 14:55

As Nishant pointed out the little fellow might have died inside the a/c pipe. Rats occupying the engine bay area, front suspension and above shock absorbers might also be a possibility.

eclectix 1st · 25th June 2008, 15:35

RATS,

happened to me with my M800 a couple of years back. The stench I had to bear makes me sick even today.

aaggoswami · 25th June 2008, 15:44

Most proabably its a rat that has died.

Technocrat · 25th June 2008, 15:47

why would the stench disappear after 1/2 hour if it was due to Rat?

Was it rubber burning smell or rat stench?

Were you ripping your car\ driving very fast when you smelled the stench?

Proxima · 25th June 2008, 15:48

Happened to me too a couple of years back on my esteem. Horrible smell!!

thirst4torque · 25th June 2008, 16:13

Guys this is a year old thread!
may the rat rest in peace.

About the problem it looks like it is(or was) due to fungal grwoth on ac pipes. It disappears when the ac is switched on.

20th April 2007, 09:33	#1
clark_kent Newbie Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3 Thanked: 0 Times	Santro -- engine burning stench? Guys, This has happenend twice in the last week and really has me worried. Within 10minutes of me starting my Santro (with the AC on) a horrendous stench (as if a rat died!!!) starts emanating in the car. The stench has been so bad that I could sense it even if I went out of the car and was standing atleast 5feet away from the car. This stench then automatically stops after about approx 1/2 an hour. I use the car for atleast 1hr drive in the morning and evening. I initially felt that the engine was burning so I stopped the car in the middle of the road and opened the bonnett to check if anything was wrong "under the hood". However, nothing seems out of the ordinary (all the fluids are OK too!). Any ideas what could be causing it, any cables burning,anything? This doesnt happen on all my trips (only twice this week) out of atleast 12-14 trips. Tha car is obviously still runnning and I plan to take it to the service center this weekend to check it out, but I would like to find out people's opinion (smell is similar to something like an engine burning, so it worries me!
	() Thanks

25th June 2008, 14:47	#2
nishantgandhi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,220 Thanked: 156 Times	Maybe a rat has actually died inside the a/c pipe
	() Thanks

25th June 2008, 14:55	#3
VJ_MAVRICK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,239 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	As Nishant pointed out the little fellow might have died inside the a/c pipe. Rats occupying the engine bay area, front suspension and above shock absorbers might also be a possibility.
	() Thanks

25th June 2008, 15:35	#4
eclectix 1st BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 381 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	RATS, happened to me with my M800 a couple of years back. The stench I had to bear makes me sick even today.
	() Thanks

25th June 2008, 15:44	#5
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,930 Times	Most proabably its a rat that has died.
	() Thanks

25th June 2008, 15:47	#6
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	why would the stench disappear after 1/2 hour if it was due to Rat? Was it rubber burning smell or rat stench? Were you ripping your car\ driving very fast when you smelled the stench?
	() Thanks

25th June 2008, 15:48	#7
Proxima BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 909 Thanked: 298 Times	Happened to me too a couple of years back on my esteem. Horrible smell!!
	() Thanks

25th June 2008, 16:13	#8
thirst4torque BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Norrköping Posts: 98 Thanked: 10 Times	Guys this is a year old thread! may the rat rest in peace. About the problem it looks like it is(or was) due to fungal grwoth on ac pipes. It disappears when the ac is switched on.
	() Thanks