Car Smells and What the Issue Could Be

Your car smells, and it's not an old fast food bag. If it isn't coming from the interior, stakes are high that it's from the engine. That strange smell may be coming from different parts of your vehicle. Here's a list of unusual car smells to be aware of, what they mean, and issues that trigger them.

Burned Rubber

Several circumstances can cause the odor of burned rubber in your car. It could be a loose rubber hose moving out of place and coming in contact with a hot part of the engine. Since it's made of rubber, the smell could also come from a damaged drive belt. While oil leaks are a possibility. When oil leaks onto the exhaust, it burns and creates this smell. Your car should be taken to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Gym Clothes

Your car is giving you high-school locker room flashbacks when you turn the A/C on. That's due to the mildew growing in the A/C evaporator. For quick solutions, turn the A/C off and run the fan on high to dry it out. Seek professional help if the smell persists.

Burned Carpet

Either the brake pads overheated or you have worn the brake pads out. Brake problems cause the smell of a burned carpet after having used them extensively. You should probably check each brake's temperature while checking for a strong or apparent burning smell. Getting your brake pads replaced may be necessary.

Maple Syrup

This sweet smell most likely appears when the car is running, or just after the engine has been shut off. It's because of the coolant that contains ethylene glycol is leaking. It could come from various resources, like a radiator or heater hose, an intake manifold gasket or a cylinder head.

Rotten Eggs

A sulfuric or unpleasant smell is possibly due to the hydrogen sulfide present in the exhaust, typically produced by the small amount of sulfur in your gasoline. The catalytic converter should normally convert this into sulfur dioxide. It could be that your catalytic converter failed.

At Joe Myers Ford, we cater to your needs and fix your car smell issues with top-notch auto repair. Our dealership is conveniently located in Houston for expert diagnosis and servicing of any abnormal car smells. Contact or visit us today.