Smoke coming from around engine

[ausgolfer]

Ok so for the last week or so I've had a burning smell when driving my car.

At first I was sure I was being paranoid, then I a friend told me I was just being paranoid.

Today when I arrived at work and switched the car off the fan cut in and smoke was seeping from each side of the bonnet. I lifted the bonnet and the smoke seems to be coming from under the car near the turn at the downpipe.
It's deffinately something fibrous burning. Think I'll take it to the ehaust place first thing tomorrow as I'm getting paranoid the car will catch on fire.

Any ideas what it could be?

[velly_16v_cab]

it is the steering rack boot getting hot off the manifold.
you should have a heat sheild around this. i have seen a few go up in smoke on rolling roads where the shield isnt fitted.

:edit: also if you have a 4 branch manifold as these give off more heat and burns the gaters

[Jarred]

do you have heat wrap on your pipes? if so can heat wrap burn if it get's old?? Are you sure it's a fibourus smell, and not oil (or something) burning?

The only other thing I can think of, is liquid gasket/gasket sealers, they tend to smoke after you use it to whack and exhaust together. This would only apply if you'd recently sealed the exhaust.

Hopefully that might help dismiss a few things or something. hope it works out.

[Peter Jones]

Any ideas what it could be?

Are the neighbours missing their cat?


Pete

[velly_16v_cab]

Are the neighbours missing their cat?


Pete

LOL

[DUB 20V]

Are the neighbours missing their cat?


Pete

here kitty kitty lol

[DVR68U]

yeah if its not an oil leak then maybe some thing has fallen down there . get a torch and have a look.
cheers brenton

[Jmac]

Burst crankcase breather perhaps and you are getting crankcase fumes into the cabin, or leaking cam cover down the back onto the exhaust manifold.
Jmac

[Golf Loon]

Or the heatshield metal panel has fallen onto the exhaust and is smouldering.

[ausgolfer]

Had a decent look while I was at work and looks like the smoke is coming from under the middle of the car.

The Heat sheild seems to be in place....

Think I'll drive it to the exhaust shop first thing and take the extinguisher with me incase I need to put out a fire. What is with these crazy emoticons? lol