2006 Vauxhall Zafira intermittent low/deep revving sound and smell of burning rubber

Sounds like the diesel particulate filter ie regenerating itself , quite normal

Just to add ,the burning smell and the exhaust note changing are all part of the regen process.

check all the intercooler/turbo intake pipes are not damaged/split/loose and also check the particulate pressure hose is`nt broken where it goes above subframe underneath car,this is quite common fault,if the dpf regenerates itself there should be a warning light on when this happens,double check your handbook

Confirmation from Vauxhall forum on regeneration .

Yep DPF is going through it's regen & quater of a tank of fuel.
Ours does it, perfectly normal.but apparently un nerving. It needs a 15 minute drive to complete it's regen process.

Hi,
Thanks for your responses, The sound and smell seem to have gone away for now, but if it's quite normal then I'll not worry next time. However, the engine management light has started to come on now and again when driving and the car won't accelerate as normal. If I turn off the engine and then restart it The light goes out and things are normal again. The light sometimes comes on again and again the car loses power (this must be some sort of fail safe). Sometimes I can go days without it happening. It had its MOT today and passed (not that it wouldn't if the issue isn't something that could be picked up on an MOT).

Your advice again would be very much appreciated.

Cheers.