Strong burning smell from my 156

[Juchee]

Hi everyone. I've been a very happy Alfa owner for the last 7 years. I have a beautiful Alfa 156 v6 (2000) and it has been a dream to drive despite its age that is up until about 2 weeks ago when it started emitting a strong burning smell after just 5 minutes of ignition and drive (once the engine warms up).  Additionally it lacks stutters at low revs (like when I slow down in traffic/stop at lights) and doesn't smoothly speed up.

A bit of background:
I felt it was time for a timing belt change so took my car into the European car specialists guys (unfortunately no Alfa specialists near where I live) to do the whole kit. In the process they checked the the water pump (which was fine), changed the cv joint boots (apparently they were cracked) and did a standard service. In changing the cv joint boots, the nut on the links stripped and therefore couldn't be removed. They weren't able to replace the links immediately and asked me to come back a week later.   I haven't yet, as the previous job was the more than $3000  and I needed to just give myself a few weeks of reprieve.

The problem:
About almost a week after getting my car back it started driving unsmoothly.  The stuttering in the engine was the main problem, at the lights one time the engine was stuttering so badly that the car was shaking. The problem seemed to become better when I popped the gear into neutral whenever I stopped at lights. Unfortunately this wasn't every time. Then a couple of days later I noticed the strong burning smell coming from my car after I had parked the car...Later I tested it to realise the smell is only obvious when the windows are rolled down during the drive.

So I'm hoping to consult your expertise before taking it back to the garage (I'm a small Asian girl, and I just want to make sure I do my research before taking it back just in case....).  Do you think this could be a timing belt mishap? Or could be caused by the loose suspension rod link? Or could it be something else?

Thank you so much everyone!

[johnl]

The "stuttering" you describe sounds like the engine is probably misfiring in one or more cylinders, which could be caused by a lot of different things.

The burning smell may well be unrelated. The description is too vague to hazard a guess. Are there any signs of oil leaking from the engine?

I think you might need to take your car to a mechanic to check it over, preferably one familiar with Alfa Romeos (though any competant mechanic should be able to help).

Regards,
John.

[poohbah]

As John says, get it checked out by a professional. It could be something really quite cheap and easily fixed, but which could prove really costly/bad if you don't get it sorted and keep driving the car.

Firstly, what do you mean by a burning smell? If it's a sweet hot coolant smell, it is likely you have a coolant leak (does temp gauge spike while sitting in traffic?).

Also, I'd be a bit wary of the stuttering. My experience may make me a little over anxious, but for peace of mind, I'd go and check that the fuel injector rail is not leaking fuel.

My first V6 156 went up in smoke on the way home from work one night, and the only warning sign was some stuttering the day before it caught fire. I had already booked it into the workshop for service for the following day, but never made it.

I have attached a pic showing my engine, and have circled the connection which I remember someone else saying has a reputation for developing a leak over time because the rubber hose shrinks/recedes a bit over time. Note my car is a '99 so it has a metal connection, but later models (including the one that burned) have a plastic connector, which may have contributed (I have no idea).

[poohbah]

Here's a link to discussion about fuel rails on the forum from a while back.

www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=17474.msg100020#msg100020

May be completely unrelated to your issue, but only takes a minute to check.

[philpot]

Hi Juchee,

Agree with all the above who actually have and deal with the V-6 engines all the time.

Just wanted to ask are you in the RACV? if you're in Geelong as your profile info says.

Rather than driving your car ANYWHERE, even to the Mechanics, I'd be calling them (RACV Roadside Assist) to come and have a look where you are. Just say it wont run etc...

They could check the basics to see whether it's safe to drive to check with either the Mechanics who've done the work prevously, or an Experienced Alfa Workshop...

Better to be safe, and very cautious, at this point I think !

Good Luck!

[Juchee]

Thanks so much for your responses everyone!! I really appreciate everyone's help.

I think I was most concerned with the timing belt change been problematic.  The burning smell doesn't seem to be as if it's oil, perhaps more like electrical or rubber burning at a guess.  And have to agree I'm a little worried about the engine catching on fire or the timing belt snapping whilst on the road and so my 156 has been safely parked at home for the last 3 days. 

Thank you so much for the photo and link poohbah, I will check out that thread and see if there's a leak where you indicated.  What worries me is that the mechanics checked for all leaks (patched one at the engine craft shaft according to the invoice).

And RACV sounds like a good idea, I will do that and then take it back to the mechanics.  I don't know of any Alfa specialists in Geelong (recently moved here), did some research prior to taking my 156 to the garage last time and came up empty

Thanks again everyone. I have my fingers crossed that it's a fixable problem!

[Craig_m67]

What do the mechanics who last touched it say ?
That would be the first place I call.

It may be something as simple as the under tray touching the exhaust OR it could be the aux or cam belt not fitted correctly and grinding down on smoothing (burning rubber smell) - ask me how I know !!

In anycase, you should have the original mechs check their work for peace of mind. 
That's why you pay them after all

Craig

PS welcome to world of Alfa's... your likely to stay for life

[poohbah]

Juchee, RAC is a worthwhile investment. I'm sure its similar in Vic, but I am in the RACWA and pay a couple of hundred dollars a year for "ultimate" roadside assistance package. I have a couple of Alfas and its been money well spent - unlimited free towing within 100km, as well as usual help when you are stuck. I think basic package (<$100) only covers first 10km of one tow per year.

Only thing to remember is you need to wait for 24 hours or so from joining to be able to use their services at no cost.

[bonno]

Hi Juchee
Did the EMS light come on when the car was stuttering??. If so, the fault code/s can be retrieved from the cars ECU diagnostic port on simulating the symptom/condition (once hot, in gear and stationary).

[Juchee]

Hi Craig - I'm curious about your experience with the burning smell and it's connection to the timing belt!  Please tell me more!
The mechanics basically said on the last report (3 weeks ago, prior to any stuttering engine or burning smell) that I had a rusty muffler that needs changing and suspension rod links need repairing because they accidentally stripped a nut.  They also repaired a leaky seal on the engine shaft.

Thanks poohbah, I'm definitely getting RACV roadside assistance. Seems like a real smart idea. 

No warning light appeared at all during the stuttering.... I will ask the mechanics about whether they are able to do a ECU diagnostic as well.

Thanks everyone! Will keep you updated with what I find out. I really really appreciate everyone's time and effort here!

[bazzbazz]

Hi Craig - I'm curious about your experience with the burning smell and it's connection to the timing belt!  Please tell me more!

He's THE luckiest Alfa owner on the planet, should have bought a lottery ticket that day, would have won the lot I reckon!