I have a 2003 A6 3.0 with 100k, there is white smoke coming from the left back side of the engine bay (plastic smell) . It has happened at least three time now but only when the outdoor temp has been +32*C (from what I've noted). The temperature gauges all read normal and there's no check engine light on, scan is all good.

I was at a red light once and it billowed out the passenger side wheel arch with an overwhelming plastic smell, then just stoped

Does anyone know what the cause of this is?


Thanks in advance!!

 

really? no one? thanks for the help audiforum

 

that's a hard one to diagnose from your description, did you open the hood to see if maybe your front plastic cover came loose and is rubbing on the fan or exposed belts? how about any plastic wire covers that may have came loose and are touching your manifold.

If you investigate to no avail post pic's of anything unusual and maybe we can narrow it down, hope this helped a bit.

 

I think I know what it is. I don't have an A6 but I have an A4 with the same 3.0 engine. I had the same problem 6 months ago. I drove home, and saw white smoke (steam) coming out of my engine bay. It turned out that the coolant reservoir was melting at the bottom and dripping onto the hot engine. Hence the smoke and burning plastic. Look under the coolant reservoir and see if you seen any white/pink drippings. (white reservoir + red liquid can = pink drippings).

If you see the drippings you in for a cheap fix.

 

Did you ever get a final resolutation to your smoking problem ? I have a similar problem. I have white smoke on the left side of my engine compartment when the car is first started (from cold). The smoke smells like plastic burning, but it goes away in about 3-4 minutes. I'm really wondering what this could be.

 

I had the same problem with my 99 A6 2.8, it was the valve cover gasket and the cam seals leaking oil and the oil got to the exhaust manifold causing smoke and a strong smell in the car. This is a common problem with these cars. Mine never smelled like burning plastic just a strong oil smell so this might not be the same problem that you are having but it"s worth a look.

 

What about a fried alternator. It was not in my Audi, but when I had a 87 Mustang. Alternator fried, but burnt the connectors to it, lots of smoke and burning plastic.

 

Did you ever figure it out ? I have a 04 A6 C5 3.0 and same thing is happening.

Bought the car in the winter all was fine. Now its starting to get nice out and I noticed smoke from passenger side.

I popped the hood and the smoke smells like burning plastic .

Not burning oil , Not burning rubber but burning plastic.

Its coming from the passenger side close to the fire wall.

Anyone ?

Thanks for your time.

 

Now that I think of it. I did get Synthetic oil and I am not used to that. So maybe it is oil.

 

Burning smell for changed oil, I don't think so. Either oil is dripping on to a manifold or exhaust or that a wire or something is either in contact with something hot or electrical.

Can you smell it right at start up, when the engine is cold, or you have to wait awhile till it gets warm?

You don't have any aftermarket subs or amps? or mods (such as aftermarket HID?)