Keeping an eye on your car on a regular basis is the best thing you can do. Nevertheless classic maintenance is supposed to keep your Acura MDX running smoothly over time, some unexpected breakdowns can add heavily to your annual motor vehicle budget. Today we’re going to talk about your sense of smell, and the clues it can give you about a possible breakdown, that’s why our team has made this article to help you in the event that you notice a burnt plastic smell caused by your Acura MDX . To help you check that it is nothing serious, first we will outline the different things that can produce a burnt plastic smell on your motor vehicle, then, in a second step, how to find the source of this burnt plastic smell on your Acura MDX? .
The different possible origins and risks of smell of burnt plastic on a Acura MDX
So we commence our content with the different possible origins of burnt plastic smell on a Acura MDX . Generally speaking, noticing a plastic or rubber smell is hardly ever a good sign. Indeed, modern vehicles are full of it and it could be the sign of a critical breakdown. Down below we will talk about the different possible origins of burnt plastic smell:
- Transmission oil: This is the most important possible source of such an odor. Indeed, the action of gear or transmission oil is to lubricate the different components of your gearbox so that all the gears and pinions are not broken, it as well has a second action as a temperature regulator. However, over time, the oil will lose its performance and will not lubricate the parts and regulate the temperature as well, which will trigger the oil to overheat and thus give off that burnt plastic smell on your Acura MDX. You risk pre-wearing your gearbox if you don’t take care of it.
- The accessory belt: Nevertheless rarer, it is possible with wear and tear that your belt, which is principally done of rubber, will deteriorate and no longer rotate completely on its axis. With the friction that this will trigger the plastic will heat up and burn out, this reaction will produce a strong smell of burnt plastic or rubber in the engine unit block of your Acura MDX.
- Faulty hose wear: This case arises specifically on Acura MDX that are starting to get a few years old or that have stayed a long time without rolling. In fact, storing your vehicle unlike what you might think will trigger the plastic parts to wear out more quickly. Hoses are the first to be troubled by this phenomenon. The rubber will disintegrate little by little and with the rise in heat of the fluid that circulates in it, it may melt. The risk of this issue is the breakage of the accessory belt.
- A body component: Less common, specifically present on Acura MDX’s that have suffered a small shock. Following a front or rear impact, wheel arches, bumpers or other plastic body parts that may have been bent may rub against one of your wheels and give off that burnt plastic smell. This may as well pre-wear out your tyres.
How to identify where the smell of burning plastic originates from on a Acura MDX?
And now, to finish our article, we’re going to try to help you find the source of the smell of burnt plastic on your Acura MDX . Now that you know the different possible roots of this smell, we’ll just have to do some checks to get rid of the tracks that don’t concern you and solve your problem quickly. If your Acura MDX smells hot, don’t hesitate to browse our article on this topic.
- Transmission oil: Nothing could be easier, open your transmission oil cap (when cold) and check that your oil is reddish in colour and fluid enough. If you discover debris inside, and it is darker, it’s time to replace it. Do not hesitate to consult our article to identify how to change the gearbox oil on a Acura MDX.
- Accessory Belt: Visually check that your accessory belt is not in poor state, it may also produce a whistling sound if it is in poor state. Do not hesitate to replace it.
- Hoses: For hoses, you will need to visually check all your hoses to discover if any are frayed or melted. If this is the case, replace them.
- Body parts: Last but not least, the last element that can trigger the smell of plastic or burnt rubber on your Acura MDX, a body component, check all wheel arches, that no component rubs against
If perhaps you have any additional questions about the Acura MDX, do not hesitate to consult our Acura MDX category.
