The Nose Knows: A Guide to Identifying Strange Engine Smells
What’s That Smell? Common Culprits of Engine Odors and How to Fix Them
Sniffing Out Trouble: Don’t Ignore Strange Engine Smells
If you have a strange smell in your car and have not recently spilled something, the odor is likely coming from your engine. You never want to ignore a strange smell when driving because strange smells are likely an indicator of something wrong with your car.
From Rotten Eggs to Burning Rubber: Decoding the Scents of Engine Trouble
If your car smells like rotten eggs, you could have a problem with your catalytic converter. A rotten egg smell indicates an imbalance in your engine’s air-to-air-to-fuel ratio. Unburned fuel can plug up your catalytic converter, and the exhaust will have nowhere to go. The result is that your car won’t run. If your car smells like mold or mildew. It might be a problem with your vehicle’s air-conditioning. The A/C system in your car is simple: it works by pulling moisture out of the air, and the extracted water has to go in a box behind the dashboard. If your paper or leaves work their way into the box and block the drain, the standing water will eventually get mold. It might be your coolant if your car smells like maple syrup or fruity candy. The sweet smell coming from your engine is probably escaping from the cooling system, and you likely have a little leak. This leak could cause problems with overheating your vehicle. It might be an oil leak if your car smells like smoke or burning oil. This is dangerous for two reasons. First, if the oil level gets too low, you risk your engine seizing up. The second problem is if the oil hits the exhaust system. However, if you notice the smell after an oil change of any sort, the leak could be caused by an unstable drain plug or oil cap that’s not screwed on tightly. If your car smells like burnt carpet, you might have a problem with overheated rotors and brake pads You’ll be able to easily identify this when you have to depress your brakes for a suspended amount of time, such as going down a steep hill. If you smell it then, the smell may indicate that the brake pads and rotors are overheating. Dragging or sticking brake calipers or brake pads that are too thin may cause the smell. You might have an exhaust leak if your car smells like exhaust or other fumes. This will allow the exhaust to get into the car and raise monoxide levels. If your car smells like rubber, you could have slipping belts. This may be the result of an engine belt that has slipped. It can also be a hose from the cooling system or power steering system rubbing on a belt and starting to melt. If your car smells like gas, you might have a gas leak. This is one of the most dangerous smells: the engine can catch fire if the gas falls onto a hot exhaust system.
Bring Your Car to Us
No matter your engine smell, you want to take it to a mechanic to have it checked out. The certified technicians at Jeff’s Auto Repair in Seattle are ready to assist you. We’re not just auto service experts, but we will be your car’s best friend because we will turn your vehicle out in top shape and keep it that way. We’ve been in business since 1980 and have more than 40 combined years of experience. Call us today at one of our locations or make an online appointment to diagnose the strange smell in your car.