I have a 2000 GS, and there is a strange burnt plastic smell coming from somewhere on the drivers side. I can't smell it if the windows are rolled up, only with windows down so its coming from outside somewhere. It starts after i drive about a mile or so. Seems to be from somewhere under the car. I can't see anything just peeking under, so i think i'll go jack it up 2m and have a closer look. Does anyone have any ideas what this could be? The only mod(sorta) i have near there is OEM body kit side skirts.

 

Maybe you ran over something? Like a plastic bag

 

hrm... maybe. I blasted the whole area down there with the water hose. The smell comes back everytime i drive, since last week, after about a mile or so.

 

something is probally rubbing on a belt.

 

pop the hood and check out the belts

 

Dude i know exactly what it is. Happend to me and my friend, brake pads. New or old usually happens when they are new tho.

 

brake pads dont smell like "rubber" like he described.. brake pads smell like clutch/brake... friction material..

 

Thanks for all the replys guys!
I checked under the hood and i dont think its coming from there. I smelt around the tires/rims and its not there either. Its seems to be coming from somewhere a little behind the drivers side seat on the underside of the car (I feel really stupid after being on all fours smelling around the car like a dog. I hope the neighbors didnt see ). It smells like burnt plastic, like if i put a lighter to a crystal geiser bottle. Are there any belts/wiring that go under the driver side seat area?

 

from what you describe. I think a plastic bag contacted your exhaust B pipe and melted/got stuck there is getting burnt...

 

maybe u left ur lunch under your set and its going moldy