RobM Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 Having not driven my seven for about 3 weeks, I decided to go out for a drive in it today. I wasn't going particularly fast, hardly using the brakes (as usual), and just driving fairly normally. However, everytime I slowed down I could smell a very strong smell like burning sugar. A strange one, I know, but I thought I'd mention it in case anyone else had come across this. The discs were cool enough to hold my hand on (so I doubt its my brakes sticking), and if any of my Apollo pipes were getting burnt, surely it would smell of rubber, not caramel cooking? I've never smelt this before in my car! It appeared to be coming from the far front of the car, near where the Apollo tank sits. Its a '99 VVC Caterham 7, with an Apollo tank fitted, but otherwise totally standard. - How can such a cute looking car sound so ferocious! - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken elle Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 Have you a Cat? Vacuum: A large, empty space where the pope lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 i know a couple of people had this type of smell it was the anti freeze why i don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 My cat has a quite 'nasty' smell when hot too... Not sure about burning sugar, but I guess anything goes... It ain't brakes, clutch or anything similar - definitely an exhaust niff... Alcester Racing 7's Equipe - 🙆🏻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 A mate of mine had an Audi that developed a smell of roasting nuts from the heater vents. It turned out the local squirrel was storing nuts in the air intake!You sure it's not something daft like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 Well, I suppose a mouse could have crawled up the pipe and died, or perhaps a dog keeps p*ssing against the silencer... Alcester Racing 7's Equipe - 🙆🏻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted October 6, 2003 Author Share Posted October 6, 2003 Thanks for the suggestions. I shall sit by the Caterham tonight with a gun and wait! The only thing that I can think of is one of the Apollo tank pipes could be rubbing on the tank itself. (they loop back round close to it). They've never done it before, but they aren't pure rubber (like a radiator pipe). Maybe the compound smells of caramel when you heat it?!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 Check that the oil feed/return pipes on the Apollo aren't chafing on the alternator belt where they pass through between the belt runs. They may seem central, but try giving 'em a wiggle. They may be able to move enough 'when on the roll' to just touch giving a smell problem. The other one to look/smell at is that a cat/dog has pi**ed on the nosecone/rad area. Not a nice smell!!!!!!!! Good Luck Clamshell Club Founder Member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 it could be the coolant - it does smell (and taste) pretty sweet. HOOPY R706KGU Hoopylight R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marius Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 I know someone who carried a dead fox for some long miles beneath his 7 trailer.... 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted October 7, 2003 Author Share Posted October 7, 2003 Tonight I think it'll be nosecone off and have a good look. I reckon it might be the Apollo Tank pipes. They aren't ordinary rubber I suppose, so that may smell odd. We do have a cat, yes. He's not in the Caterham, as I saw him this morning! I'll let you know if I find anything conclusive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 Yeah, but oil only gets to about 90 Deg C, whereas the Cat gets super-toasty and stays hot/warm for hours... Alcester Racing 7's Equipe - 🙆🏻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete east Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 I occasionaly get a weird smell but discovered it was caused by my driving style! Sorry not being helpfull - Ill get my coat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted October 13, 2003 Author Share Posted October 13, 2003 If anyone's interested, I've discovered what the weird smell was!! There was an apple wedged between the exhaust and the heat shield! It must have been flicked up by the front wheel of the car and striked a perfect shot between the two! It was completely out of sight, but a good long drive to Goodwood and back today caused it to start to melt and ouse out of the heat shield vent holes 😬 😬 I'm relieved it wasn't mechanical! I didn't think I had smelt anything like that on a car before 😬 - How can such a cute looking car sound so ferocious! - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 Hmmm baked apple, you just needed to add some brown sugar 😬 😬 Who else remembers that as a kid? Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted October 13, 2003 Author Share Posted October 13, 2003 Without wishing to start a thread on baked apples, yes, I remember that as a kid Feel free to come over to my garage with some brown sugar if you fancy the apple. You'll need a knitting needle to remove it Its baked the Goodwood way . I always find a bit of Lavant followed by Woodcote cooks the apple delightfully! - How can such a cute looking car sound so ferocious! - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meldrew Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall would be proud. 😬 Any custard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 😬quote "you sure it's not something daft like that?" 😬 Isn't it good to be a smart 🙆🏻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsn Posted October 15, 2003 Share Posted October 15, 2003 Have to go with anti freeze - leaking radiator? Forgotten to tighten the radiator / header tank cap? Loose hose? Nigel Mills - 2.0 Zetec carbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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