Did you know unusual smells in your vehicle could be the first indicator of underlying damage? Identifying these smells early on can help car owners avoid the hassle and expense of an unexpected breakdown. We recommend a “sniff test” of your vehicle to identify any unusual smells, here’s nine warning smells to look out for:
1.Gasoline: If you didn’t just fill up your tank and smell gasoline, this could be a sign of a fuel leak in the fuel injector line or the gas tank. A faulty gas cap could be allowing fuel to evaporate into the air around your car. Leaking fuel is a serious fire hazard, so immediate attention should be given.
2. Burning Oil: The smell of hot oil could mean that oil is leaking onto the exhaust system. To figure out if there’s a leak, look for oil on the pavement or smoke coming from the engine area. Be sure to turn off the engine first!
3.Burning plastic: When the plastic insulation around wires has been worn down or chewed away by rodents it can cause a short. These shorts could melt the insulation surrounding the wire. First, be sure to check that no plastic debris (like a grocery bag) has been caught under the vehicle and melted. If you do see something, don’t grab it as it will be very hot! If there’s nothing, there could be an electrical short somewhere. This is a severe fire hazard that demands immediate attention.
4. Burning rubber: This smell could mean a drive belt is about to break or a hose has come loose and is now rubbing or melting against another engine component. Never reach into a hot engine compartment!
5. Sweet syrup: Unless you picked up pancakes on the way to work, you are probably smelling ethylene glycol, a key component of engine coolant. This may be a sign that engine coolant is leaking. Never remove the radiator cap while the engine is hot.
6.Campfire: The smell of burning wood or paper might be normal for drivers still learning how to drive a stick shift vehicle, but if you’re an experienced stick shift driver and are smelling campfire, you may be in need of some clutch repairs.
7.Burning carpet: First, double-check that the emergency brake is disengaged. If the smell isn’t going away and is happening under normal driving conditions, it’s probably a sign that your brake pads and shoes need attention. This is a very hazardous safety issue, so bring it down to be checked out immediately.
8.Rotten eggs: If you’ve already double-checked your backseat for forgotten food and still smell eggs, you most likely have a problem in your fuel system. If your catalytic converter, fuel filters or fuel pressure sensors are damaged or worn out, stinky hydrogen sulfide is not able to be properly converted to an odorless form and can leak into the passenger compartment.
9.Musty basement: If you turn on your A/C and are getting a terrible, musty smell, this is the result of mildew and bacteria growing in your HVAC system. The condensation is building up on the condenser, in the drain line, and on the filter causing mold to grow. Bring your vehicle down, and we can change your cabin air filter, clean, and disinfect your HVAC system. Ignoring this smelling can cause bad reactions in some people with asthma or allergies such as watery eyes, headaches, sneezing, and breathing difficulties.
If you smell any odor coming from your vehicle, you should not ignore it. Bring it down to Luke’s Auto Service in Verona, New Jersey to get an informed opinion on the nature of the odor. Never ignore the signs your vehicle is trying to give you about a problem. If you are smelling any of the above warning smells, schedule an appointment and our expert technicians will be happy to take a look. We will conduct a thorough review of all major systems in your vehicle, diagnose the issue, and have you on your way in no time. Just a reminder: We will be closed from Saturday, August 15-August 22, and will reopen Monday, August 24th!
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