There are a lot of things that can go wrong with your vehicle, including foul smells coming from your engine. While it might not be the first issue that comes to mind, a bad smell from your engine is no laughing matter. That new car smell is great, but a stinky car is not fund drive.
The good news is not every bad smell is a sign of serious trouble. On the other hand, some smells can indicate a major problem. Do you know which odors are serious, and which ones aren’t? Let’s look at what causes some of the most common smells from your engine and what they most likely mean.
Common Causes of Bad Car Smells
Burning Oil – this is one of the most unpleasant smells that a car can make. Oil does burn but you shouldn’t smell that burn unless there is a leak somewhere. When it leaks it can drip onto other engine components and start to burn when it hits them, most notably the exhaust system or the manifold. If you start smelling this odor you shouldn’t wait to get it checked out. Low oil levels can damage your engine.
Burnt Rubber – when you smell burnt rubber and you haven’t been doing donuts in a vacant parking lot, it means somewhere under your hood a part made from rubber has encountered something hot. Belts and hoses are often made of rubber and if they get loose or slip out of place, they can contact something hot, which will cause this unpleasant smell. It’s usually nothing serious, but you should still get it fixed to avoid further problems.
Burning Carpet – if you smell burning carpet and you aren’t using a vacuum, then your brakes and/or rotors likely are overheating. Obviously, if your brakes have any kind of issue you shouldn’t wait to get them checked out.
Syrup – what’s wrong with syrup? It’s great on pancakes and waffles, but not coming from your car. This smell indicates you have a coolant leak. If you smell this, then bring your car to a Downey auto mechanic.
Gasoline – if you smell gas while you drive then you have a leak somewhere in your gas line. Most likely in the fuel tank or fuel injector. If you have a gas leak, you should get this checked out right way, as it could be a hazard to your safety.
Rotten Eggs – if you smell rotten eggs, your catalytic converter is likely the culprit. The converter converts gases from your engine and pushes them out the exhaust. If it wears out or gets clogged, you might start smelling a rotten egg smell.
Get Rid of that Awful Smell – Downey Auto Repair
No one wants to drive around in a smelly vehicle. If your car, truck, crossover, or SUV is putting off a foul odor then you need to get it serviced. Whether it’s something serious or not, you should bring your vehicle into Glenn’s Auto Service. We’ll find out what’s causing the bad odor and fix it.
It’s best not to ignore the problem because it could be a sign of something serious, which will only get worse. And the longer you put it off, the more costly it will likely get to fix the problem.
So, if you’re tired of driving around in a stinky car, then please contact us today. We’re just a phone call away. You can reach us at 562-359-4232 to schedule your next service. You can also schedule an appointment with us online by clicking here. We are your trusted Downey, CA auto repair shop for all services and repairs on all makes and models, including:
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