Got out of my car today and smelled like plastic burning coming from the left side of my engine, below the intake, or somewhere in that area, I failed to pin point its origin. What could this be, I'm a little concerned about the smelling of plastic, it was pretty intense. Any ideas before I take it in? Thanks!

 

Were you on spirited drive and then parked it, Alot of times you will smell the clutch if u glaze it or even sometimes just shifting hard.

 

I don't think its the clutch, i know a good clutch burn, but this smells like plastic in a big way. Tonight for example I was driving around doing the speed limit for once, pulled into my driveway, and the smoke came out, not a lot, but enough to be concerned about. Also, what should my dash temp gage be measuring at during a normal drive, mine peaks out at the half way point, is this normal as well?

 

yeah half way is good

 

Your water temp. is normal.

 

Was it just white smoke? Was there smoke soming from under the hood, or just out ot the tailpipe?

 

Its only coming out of the hood, can smell it while driving. It seems to be coming from somewhere under the passenger side portion of the engine, somewhere under the intake, and smoking up in-between the engine and the air intake.

 

What engine do you have? Maybe your valve cover gasket is leaking throwing some oil on hot exhaust.

 

I have a 98 2.8 30v tiptronic

 

Ok. Possible there's a velve cover gasket leak on that side?