Ok, should I be alarmed about a faint burning smell coming from the car/engine bay? Its not really a burning smell in the same way as, I dunno, a bonfire or something, but it does seem as though the engine is very hot, particularly when I'm stuck in traffic and more so on days like today. I've heard that the engine does run quite hot, although the temperature gauge on the dash is never more than half full. I've checked the oil a couple of times and there's more than enough in there.

Maybe there is a problem with the colding water?
We had some kind of problem by our Opel Corsa 1.2. The cable-s of the ventillator wasn't plugged properly.


But by new cars there are some "factory" paintings on the blocks and other parts.
Maybe these paintings "burn" down?

I'm sure I had that with mine too at the beginning. Now it's done a few miles (about 4800) I don't get it any more so unless it's really bad I guess it's nothing to worry about. Just keep an eye on it.

Yes I think this kind of material was in our Mondeo too.
+ maybe some paint:)

Hi guys, this is my first post on the forum.

Took delivery of my performance blue st yesterday from allbrandsnew.com. (After an 8 week wait which they said would be more like a 3 week wait)

On first impressions it seems a brilliant car! But I have a few concerns. I have the faint burning smell coming from the engine bay, and when i go round a tight corner at full steering lock or close to it, there seems to be a slight rubbing or grinding noise?
Also, is it just my car or is the steering lock a bit poor? A 3 pointer has turned in to a 5 pointer.....

On the brighter side, I find all the talk about the car being too noisy is rubbish, there is a nice note from the engine i think!
Coming from a 1.6 Astra the speed is brilliant, and after 4k revs, she just takes off! (although trying to take it easy for the time being)

I dont know if anyone knows much about warranties, but as I bought mine pre-registered from allbrands new, if i have a problem with the car, could I go to any local ford garage to get it sorted? And do I get the full 3 year warranty?

Cheers

check the oil cos i had that kind of smeel when ford forgot to put oil in it, but any burning smell no matter how strong it is, take it back, u didnt pay what u paid for it for nothing u know

Hey chris and welcome to the board! The burning smell I got was explained as the additives being burnt off and I never noticed it again after driving it a few times but perhaps just give the oil a very quick check.

The groaning noise (ooer missus) is the wheel at full lock. I know our old Rolls Royce did this. I'm guessing its something to do with the transmission? And yes the trade off is between those lovely 17's and a 3 point turn *lol*

Oh and as far as I can gather about these internet purchased cars they can be serviced by Ford dealers & the warranty valid. Maybe Ian can help me out here? *heh*

As long as the car is serviced by Ford or an Approved Ford Agent, Then the warranty will be valid, you must ensure that all service documents are stamped uptodate, so you should have absolutly no problems with taking the car to any dealer.

How long have you had the car?If it,s new it,s normal enough.But it should stop after a few hundred miles especially if you give it some welly.

When i picked my car up it only had a few miles on the clock, i drove it back to my house (about 8 miles) and i pulled up and parked on the drive and switched off the engine. I spent a few minutes basking in the glory of my brand spanking new gorgeous car () only to realise that there was smoke still coming out the exhaust, and it was actually getting worse the more i watched it. Now of course alarm bells are ringing and i had visions of seeing my new car in flames. So i got my dad and he just said its ok, he'd seen it before and it often happens with a new car, he said switch it back on, so i did and sure enough a load of gunk flung out the exhaust and it stopped smoking and all was fine so there must be some coating or stuff on the engine that needs to burn away. Should go away after a few hundred miles though, if it doesn't def get it check!

I didnt notice any smoke coming from the exhaust when the engine was off, but the first day I had it, I was going for a spin (1 of many that day!) and i put my foot down after pulling out from the drive and my old man noticed some gunk come out the exhaust. Havent seen anymore yet.
I have done about 150 miles in 2 days so far, I cant stop driving it! But was rather dissapointed to see another performance blue ST down here driving round town!

so far in my area( hearfield) i havent seen any other ST's!!!
only time i have seen other ST's was at FITP

Blimey, didn't realise there'd be this much response to my thread! Cheers peeps!

Yeah, I should've pointed out in my first post that its now done about 1300 miles. There's definitely no smoke or anything like that coming from anywhere in or on the car and the oil and coolant levels all seem fine. I don't know, its just there's a very, err, mechanical smell coming from the engine bay. I think what most of you have put about the engine still being new and it burning off additives/whatever is the likely cause, and most of my driving is in stop/start traffic as it is, so the engine would naturally get hot. I'll give it another couple of hundred miles or so and if its still noticeably as bad then I'll check it with my local dealer.