Over the last few weeks, Ive had a smell coming from the car after a drive, it smells kind of like burning rubber/plastic. It doesnt seem to matter whether Ive driven the car hard, or like a granny, and, its not always there. Its coming from the engine bay.
Ive gone through the engine bay many times, checked hoses, the belts, and I cant find what could be causing the smell, all the hoses and belts are in good nick. The smell, seems to be coming from somewhere near or around where the turbo is, but its hard to tell.
and as far as I can see, nothing has flicked up from the road or anything onto a hot car part.
So appart from hoses, belts and rubbish kicked up from the road, does anyone have any other suggestions on what I can check, because I am really out of ideas.
(car is a MY02)
Ive recently installed a STi TMIC, but dont see that being the issue.

Are all you pulleys nice and free and belts look ok???

Have you got headers that hang close to the under tray???

Wheel arch liner isn't loose rubbing on a tyre??? Suspect you would hear it but had a renta Magna do it and it smelt really bad.

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Stoner & Webber 2011 World Champions

check the drivers side cam cover gaskets and bolt seals. Leaking oil from there drips onto the exhaust manifold and burns off stinking up big time.

Feel with your fingers under the drivers side head and behind the head where the half moon seals are.

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RS Liberty - Because WRX's are only good for parts...

Thanks guys, Ill check those things once the car cools down.

could be oil dripping off the turbo onto the headers had that with mine its fixed now..

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Chinese Mexican
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Checked your coolant level?
Could have a pin hole in a hose somewhere. Can have a plastic sort of smell sometimes.

Ok, I just come back from the shops, soon as I pulled up I popped the bonnet, a strong smell, and a tinny amount of smoke was coming from beneath the turbo, on the engine side, closer to the rear of the turbo, If it is a leak of oil, then it must be tiny as I havent noticed any drop in oil level, is there anything else it could be in that location?
Bitch of a place for the problem to be lol.
Its not coolant, I know that smell and it isnt that.

drivers side rocker cover gasket or turbo feed for sure.

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Signarape!

should be able to tell what it is... coolant smells like coolant oil smells like oil - can always drop some coolant or oil onto your engine to get a whiff of it and then be able to match that smell.

yeh i'd agree with matt...turbo feed