Keeping an eye on your car all the time is the best thing you can do. Although conventional maintenance is supposed to keep your Volkswagen Jetta running smoothly over time, some unforeseen breakdowns can add heavily to your annual motor vehicle budget. In this article 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 you notice a burnt plastic smell originating from your Volkswagen Jetta . To help you check that it is nothing severe, first we will outline the different things that can generate a burnt plastic smell on your motor vehicle, then, in a second step, how to find the origin of this burnt plastic smell on your Volkswagen Jetta? .
The different possible origins and risks of smell of burnt plastic on a Volkswagen Jetta
So we begin our content page with the different possible origins of burnt plastic smell on a Volkswagen Jetta . Generally speaking, noticing a plastic or rubber smell is hardly ever a good sign. In truth, modern cars are full of it and it could be the sign of a major breakdown. Below we will review the different possible origins of burnt plastic smell:
- Transmission oil: This is the main possible source of such an odor. In truth, the function of gear or transmission oil is to lubricate the different components of your gearbox so that all the gears and pinions are not damaged, it as well has a second function as a temperature regulator. However, in the long run, the oil will lose its effectiveness and will not lubricate the parts and regulate the temperature as well, which will bring about the oil to overheat and thus give off that burnt plastic smell on your Volkswagen Jetta. You risk pre-wearing your gearbox if you don’t take care of it.
- The accessory belt: Although rarer, it is possible with wear and tear that your belt, which is specifically done of rubber, will decline and no longer rotate completely on its axis. With the friction that this will bring about the plastic will heat up and burn out, this reaction will generate a strong smell of burnt plastic or rubber in the engine unit block of your Volkswagen Jetta.
- Faulty hose wear: This case happens especially on Volkswagen Jetta 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 presume will bring about the plastic parts to wear out more quickly. Hoses are the first to be affected 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 problem is the breakage of the accessory belt.
- A body component: Less basic, especially present on Volkswagen Jetta’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 Volkswagen Jetta?
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 Volkswagen Jetta . Now that you know the different possible origins of this smell, we’ll just have to do some checks to eliminate the tracks that don’t concern you and solve your problem quickly. If your Volkswagen Jetta smells hot, don’t think twice to browse our article on this topic.
- Transmission oil: Nothing could be less complicated, open your transmission oil cap (when cold) and check that your oil is reddish in colour and fluid enough. If you find out debris inside, and it is darker, it’s time to replace it. Do not think twice to seek advice from our article to identify how to change the gearbox oil on a Volkswagen Jetta.
- Accessory Belt: Visually check that your accessory belt is not in poor condition, it may also produce a whistling sound if it is in poor condition. Do not think twice to replace it.
- Hoses: For hoses, you will need to visually check all your hoses to find out if any are frayed or melted. If this is the case, replace them.
- Body parts: Last but not least, the last element that can bring about the smell of plastic or burnt rubber on your Volkswagen Jetta, a body part, check all wheel arches, that no part rubs against
If you wish more tutorials on the Volkswagen Jetta, go to our Volkswagen Jetta category.
