If you get into your car in the Fort Smith, Arkansas, area and notice a strange, bad, or off smell, these are often indications that something might be wrong with your car. Whether it’s a simple fix like tightening a hose or something more serious like bad brakes, here are five potential reasons for that bad smell.
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The Heater Core Has a Leak
Antifreeze in the radiator and cooling system has a sweet, almost candy-like smell. When you smell something overly sweet in your car, it’s possible that you have a leak in the heater core. If the heater core is leaking, you’ll also notice signs of leaking antifreeze inside of the cabin of your vehicle. You’ll need to have the heating and cooling system fixed as soon as you start smelling cloying sweetness. Having a blown or leaking heater core can lead to a full-blown breakdown of your car, leading to expensive repairs.
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Brake or Clutch Issues
If you notice an acrid smell similar to burnt toast, especially while driving the car, it’s possible that your clutch or brakes have issues. The clutch has a paper-type material, and when too much pressure gets applied or the clutch begins to slip, the material burns and smells like badly burnt toast. When you ride the brakes too hard, the material burns, and you’ll notice a burnt smell as well. You want to have your car looked at to make sure that the brakes and clutch are working property.
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Oil Leaks
When oil leaks onto hot parts of the engine, it burns and makes an unpleasant smell. Sometimes, you’ll also see blue smoke coming from under the hood. It’s possible that the car has a small, simple-to-fix leak, but if left unchecked, an oil leak can lead to the engine overheating. An overheated engine can seize up and cease to function.
You’ll also want to check the level of your transmission fluid. If it gets too low, the gears heat up and cause a burning smell. Keep your vehicle running in top shape with regular tuneups and maintenance so the service technicians can spot and repair issues before the car experiences a premature failure of the powertrain and drivetrain of the car.
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A Broken Catalytic Converter
One of the most unpleasant smells you can experience in your car is a rotten egg or sulfur odor coming from a broken catalytic converter. The catalytic converter’s job is to transform chemicals from fuel combustion into harmless particulates. If the catalytic converter becomes clogged and stops working, it begins to emit the rotten egg smell. Because the catalytic converter helps to exhaust spent fumes, if it’s clogged or not functioning correctly, you’ll also notice dark smoke coming from your exhaust system. If you smell sulfur or a stinky egg odor, you’ll need to have the catalytic converter replaced.
If you notice any of these smells or other weird odors, give our team at Jim Turner Chevrolet a call, and we can diagnose and fix the issue. We can also help you find a new Chevrolet to drive home.
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