Burning Rubber smell

[decho]

Recently I have noticed that after a reasonable length journey in my Signum 3.0 cdti, when I stop the car and get out, I sometimes get a smell like burning rubber. I've checked the tyres and they are fine. Also, on occasion when I start the car(when cold) I get a screeching noise - it doesn't last long and sounds like the noise I use to get on older cars when the water pump was on its last legs.
Its booked in tomorrow but the Vx dealer thought it was unlikely to be the water pump as they are much moer reliable nowadays.

Anyone else had this problem - I always find it best to go into the dealer armed with the very useful comments I get from this site.

Thanks
Derek

[Ste]

Does it screech more when you have high electrical loads on? Eg blower, heated rear window, lights??

Screeches and burning rubber smells historically points to aux belt slippage due to insufficient tension - ie alternator drive belt, NOT timing belt.

[spennny]

Funny thing is that i used to get that, guess what it was...........


It was a carrier bag / asda plastic bag stuck underneath to my exhaust, and was slowly burning away

[ukanalyst]

Sounds like the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) is regnerating to me ... check your instant fuel consumption next time it does it ... if it's around 1Gal/hr when stationary this is what it will be ... it's important you don't stop the engine until it's finished it's cycle or you risk the DPF becomming blocked and an expensive bill resulting!

Dave

[decho]

I am not very technically minded, but could it not be the water pump bearings siezing causing the belt(I assume they still have one) to slip?

[carpet]

Does the aux belt not have an automatic tensioner as per the 1.8??? Is the auto tensioner working correctly (or perhaps broken). If it is fitted with one I would look elsewhere for the problem.

[AndrewTi]

Sounds like the DPF (Diesel Particular Filter) is regnerating to me ... check your instant fuel consumption next time it does it ... if it's around 1Gal/hr when stationary this is what it will be ... it's important you don't stop the engine until it's finished it's cycle or you risk the DPF becomming blocked and an expensive bill resulting!

Dave

Mine does it now and then, definately the DPF.

Scared the **** out of me the first time I noticed it, I don't mind admitting!

[decho]

Can someone explain what a DPF is(excuse my ignorance)?
Is it serious? can anything be done about it?
Derek

[ukanalyst]

Can someone explain what a DPF is(excuse my ignorance)?
Is it serious? can anything be done about it?
Derek

A DPF is a Diesel Particulate Filter and is fitted to modern Diesel cars to reduce emissions. In summary it collects Particulates that would otherwise be vented to atmosphere (The black smoke you see out of some diesels you won't see out of a DPF car) and burns them off at incredibly high temperatures every now and then. You'll find a whole stack of info on the forum if you look around and good old Wikipedia has some info too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dpf

It's entirely normal and a standard fitment to your car but it's also annoying because of the issue you mentioned, the costs when things go wrong (eg you don't let it finish too often) and the extra amount of fuel it uses to burn off the contents.

[decho]

So, am I correct in thinking from the comments above:
1. The burning rubber smell is the DPF in normal operation, just so happens its doing this when I stop.
2. If I am idling and the instant fuel consumption is 1 gallon per hour the DPF is in operation and I should not switch the engine off until the DPF is finished its cycle? How do I know when it is finished?

I am still not sure though where the screeching noise is coming from. The car is in the dealership today so it'll be interesting to hear what they have to say.
Thanks again
Derek