Dogs learn most about their world through the sense of smell. We, too, can use our noses to learn about our cars. Whenever you smell something unusual in your car, use the scent as a clue to help you figure out what might be amiss.
If you smell something similar to maple syrup after the engine is warmed, this is indicative of a coolant leak. The coolant, ethylene glycol, smells pleasant but is extremely toxic! It could be leaking from various places including a heater hose, a failed cylinder head, a failed intake manifold gasket, etc. It’s best to get this checked out right away, and keep children and pets away from any visible leaks or puddles.
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If your car begins to smell like eggs while the engine is running, be sure Aunt Sally didn’t leave her picnic basket in the back seat! That would actually be a relief since an egg–or rotten egg–smell is indicative of sulfur. If your car is running properly, trace amounts of sulfur in gasoline are turned into sulfur dioxide while going through the catalytic converter. The “egg smell” is really sulfur that has not been converted. Though the problem may be with your catalytic converter, don’t fret! Sometimes a simple fuel injection issue is the culprit.
There are dozens of other unusual car smells that trained mechanics will able to peg right away. Whatever the smell, let the professionals at MOTEC Auto Care Clinics help you out using the latest and most advanced diagnostic tools. If your nose brings you to us, we’ll find and fix you car’s odor issue, fast.
Tags: diagnostic testing, engine problems, fuel injector problems, smells
