I smell a burning smell from the rear passenger side of m...


I smell a burning smell from the rear passenger side of my car after it has been running for a few minutes Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? Hyundai [Accent](/topics-accent/) 2017 Mechanic...

I smell a burning smell from the rear passenger side of my car after it has been running for a few minutes Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? Hyundai [Accent](/topics-accent/) 2017 Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Accent yourself? What have you tried so far? I am not trying to fix it myself. I have looked for loose debris near the exhaust but done nothing else Mechanic's Assistant: How many miles are on the Hyundai? How has your mileage been lately? 30,000. I am not driving any more than usual, about 10-15 miles at day Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you? The car is not overheating. The smell is limited to just outside around the rear of the car

Automotive Expert
Hello, and thank you for your question. I am reviewing it now and will reply again in a moment. Can you describe the smell?

It smells like hot or burning plastic
Automotive Expert
**\*The website will prompt a phone call automatically, NOT me. So please don't let this automatic service prompt annoy you. I prefer using text-only since most of the time I am inside the shop.** Does the smell exist during the drive or idle?

After a few minutes of idling, I begin to smell it, but I do not smell it in the cabin, only from outside near the rear of the vehicle
Automotive Expert
The only thing around the area is the exhaust pipe.
Automotive Expert
If there is a plastic bag or debris on the pipe, it will start burning the plastic. There is really nothing in that location that would cause the plastic burning smell.

Not that I can see from underneath
Automotive Expert
Here is a picture of the exhaust. This is the only component that can heat up during idle.

I think I can see a piece of torn white plastic on a pipe further up on the exhaust around about the middle of the car
Automotive Expert
can you remove it?

I can't reach it. There's is about four inches of snow on the ground here right now. I see more wrapped around further down the pipe. Will it burn off eventually?
Automotive Expert
yes, eventually it will get burn off. but in the meantime, you will smell that plastic burning. I'd recommend removing it when the snow stop.

Okay, thank you. I thought it was something more serious, I am very relieved
Automotive Expert
You're welcome

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