Melting plastic smell after a ride.

[mcclaskeyj]

I just had my bike Dynoed last week and now I've noticed a melting plastic smell after I park it in the garage following a ride. I know where all the fairing mounts and I've also checked what I can see of the pipes and engine and still can't find the source of the smell! I've followed along every surface that I can see where plastic could remotely come in contact with something on the hot engine and can't seem to find anything. I've not yet seen any smoke so I don't have a specific location indicated yet.

Do any of you think the Dyno job and plastic smell could be related somehow? I don't think they'd need to do much other than connect a computer to the PCV module right? 

[stevewfl]

good luck finding the source.

might be Kirby's cousin ran into some bad luck around the engine?  http://zggtr.org/index.php?topic=169.msg7218#msg7218

[VirginiaJim]

Mines been doing it since day one and I've got 44k on the odo.  Nothing has caught on fire yet.  If you find the cause let us know...

[BS-in-KS]

I'm sure someone more knowledgable about Dynos and Power Commanders will be along shortly but for now, how about unwanted items placed in the exhaust? Any kids around the bike at unnoticed times?  I know my three year old loves to "play" on my bike and I always have to reset all the buttons and such before I take off for a ride.

[VirginiaJim]

I'm sure someone more knowledgable about Dynos and Power Commanders will be along shortly but for now, how about unwanted items placed in the exhaust? Any kids around the bike at unnoticed times?  I know my three year old loves to "play" on my bike and I always have to reset all the buttons and such before I take off for a ride.

I don't run any add-on gizmos so I don't think it's that and the smell actually seems to come from the front of the bike.  It smells more like burning leaves to me.  If it were, say a plastic bag, caught in the headers I would have found that by now.  It is very strange, though.  One of those mysteries that will be solved eventually I suppose.

[mcclaskeyj]

Lol it's a PLASTIC smell not burning flesh! 

No kids or anything else to bother Connie in the garage so it rules that out.

I keep it clean and wash the bugs off when it gets dirty. I find it interesting that you guys have found the same thing and haven't yet figured it out as well. I'm thinking about checking the air filter soon and I'll check all the plastics as I'm pulling things off to see if I can find something melted.

[B.D.F.]

Most likely a small oil leak onto the header. Plastic is made from the same basic material as motor oil so they smell similar when very hot. Nothing like that new- fangled plastic made from corn which smells sweet when it gets hot (like during extrusion). And it only takes a very few drops to generate an odor you would notice.

Some oils smell more like plastic than others- I think Rotella synthetic 5W-40 is the most 'plastic like' smell of any motor oil I have noticed. I do not know but would suspect that the more expensive synthetic oils smell like.... burning money. 

Brian

I just had my bike Dynoed last week and now I've noticed a melting plastic smell after I park it in the garage following a ride. I know where all the fairing mounts and I've also checked what I can see of the pipes and engine and still can't find the source of the smell! I've followed along every surface that I can see where plastic could remotely come in contact with something on the hot engine and can't seem to find anything. I've not yet seen any smoke so I don't have a specific location indicated yet.

Do any of you think the Dyno job and plastic smell could be related somehow? I don't think they'd need to do much other than connect a computer to the PCV module right? 

[Conrad]

I get a smell like this from my bike too but only if I'm riding in the rain, or if the street is still wet from rain.

[B.D.F.]

I get that one too but it is different than the oil smell. I usually get the oil (melting plastic) smell after riding the bike a long way, shutting it down overnight and then firing it up again; it seems that a very small amount of oil seeps onto the header while the bike cools but only after extended running. Maybe I am carrying my fob on the wrong side.... (dress right).

Brian

I get a smell like this from my bike too but only if I'm riding in the rain, or if the street is still wet from rain.

[stevewfl]

my ZX14 went in 3 times for a tiny weeping going on and that crazy smell from the headers burning it.  Must be a Kawi thing

[gonzosc1]

only have about 5500 miles it the bike.  when I just cruise around I don't smell anything. but when I'm up in the twisties and running higher rpm's I smell something like plastic/rubber. I've looked and looked and find nothing. no leaks, nothing looks like its been burnt, runs perfect!!

[B.D.F.]

Well, a 1400 cc Kawasaki engine thing anyway. Both the ZX-14 and C-14s use the same valve cover on the same (at the top anyway) head and both models seem to have a common weeping point in the front / left corner of the valve cover.

Brian

my ZX14 went in 3 times for a tiny weeping going on and that crazy smell from the headers burning it.  Must be a Kawi thing

[MAN OF BLUES]

I think most of this is coming from a smal drip out of the front exhust cam sensor seal.
After sitting it seems it tends to drop a single drip on the headers, and then stop.
It freaked me out at first, but it only happens when the bike sits a week or so.
I'll goober it and get a new seal when i do the valves next time. To much work to get to it for the simplicity to correct it right now.

[booger]

Burning (boiling) anti-freeze gives off a similar smell.

[B.D.F.]

It is hard to describe smells but I have always found anti- freeze to smell 'heavy' and sweet.

Brian

Burning (boiling) anti-freeze gives off a similar smell.