Random burning plastic smell and smoke

[ddor747]

Hello, I have a brand new 2021 Sprinter 3500 w/dbl rear wheels. At 6XX miles after a short drive of 3 miles in 45 deg F temps burning plastic smoke was discovered in the engine compartment on the drivers side. This was after shutdown as I was passing the front of the van. It did not smell like electrical burning. It was just like a plastic plate burning in a camp fire. Towed into dealer who also smelled the smoke the next day but could not recreate. They figured in was some plastic wrap left on heater coil during manufacture and had burned off. Three weeks later it happened again. This time much worse and the smoke entered the cab. The engine compartment was full of smoke and cat converter was ticking away like it was cooling but engine was still running. This time the van had been running for one and a half hours when it smoked up. Brought back to dealer who spent 3 hours looking for a cause with no joy. Now they do not want to look any farther because they claim they won't get paid by MB warranty. I can't reasonably be expected to start the buildout for its intended purpose as an electronics testing shop requiring about $50K US on testing equipment until I know what's burning and how to stop it for good. Have any of you had this smoking happen and how did it get resolved? Thank you in advance.

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

Difficult to diagnose remotely, although I’ve had smoke and pretty awful smells from DPFs doing a regeneration.

 

[A.J.]

It’s likely to be a new DPF settling in, just like we used to get with a new Catalyser settling in

 

[peterws1957]

The vehicle will be under warranty and if you're in the UK, you are protected in any event by consumer legislation. You've been fobbed off clearly - the dealer won't do anything? Utter rubbish. Down to MB to fix it, the problem sounds to be a dangerous one. If you're in the US are you not protected by Lemon Law?

 

[peterws1957]

It’s likely to be a new DPF settling in, just like we used to get with a new Catalyser settling in

Surely though you shouldn't be getting smoke in the cabin?

 

[A.J.]

Surely though you shouldn't be getting smoke in the cabin?

No I don’t understand how smoke is getting into the cabin unless I guess there is a short within the cab that is gently smouldering

 

[clarkmichigan55b]

I am on the line of catalytic converter doing a regeneration. Have you read the owners manual? . If possible up load a video.