Why do I smell something when I start my car?

Why do I smell something when I start my car?

If your engine has been running for a few minutes and you start to smell something sweet, coolant containing ethylene glycol could be leaking from the radiator, cylinder head or a failed intake manifold gasket. If the smell is strongest inside the car, this is could indicate a problem with the heater core.

What are the symptoms of an engine malfunction?

You’ll notice one or more of the following symptoms: A pinging or tapping noise coming from the engine at low RPM (at speeds higher than idle). Loud detonations. Your car fails the emission test. The Check Engine light, or Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL), illuminates on your dashboard.

What causes a boat engine to go bad?

If you don’t, a clogged filter will seem like a minor issue. Prevention: It’s possible to buy a bad load of fuel, but it’s more likely that the fuel went bad while in your boat. Leaving a tank near empty for long periods of time can cause condensation and water in the gas.

Why do I get white smoke from my diesel engine?

White smoke occurs for one of three reasons 1. Raw diesel comes through the exhaust completely unburned 2. Water entering combustion chamber. 3. The temperature in the combustion chamber is too low. Now, let’s look at three scenarios. What is wrong really depends on the “type” of white smoke you have.

When does the Check Engine light come on and go off?

The check engine light often comes on and goes off after a while. Any time I notice it whiles driving, I park and close the fuel tank well but the light doesn’t go off. Sometimes I restart the car but it still won’t go off. It goes off on it own and comes back after some time.

How to diagnose car problems by odor?

How to Diagnose Car Problems by Odor. When an unusual smell emanates from your vehicle, your first impulse might be to check under the seat for an old fast food bag. If the culprit isn’t in the interior of your car, chances are it’s your engine. Smells generated by a vehicle’s engine can point to potential trouble ahead.

Why does my car smell like burning oil?

Oil Leak – If you’re able to smell a burning oil smell when your engine is hot or even when you’re not driving, it can be a sign that there’s been an oil leak. When there’s an oil leak, it could mean that several components in your vehicle is broken. This can be because of a broken valve seal, broken piston rings or more.

Why does my car smell like rotten eggs?

Smells generated by a vehicle’s engine can point to potential trouble ahead. Here are six smells to be wary of and a list of what mechanical issues trigger them. If a smell is similar to rotten eggs, this could indicate that your catalytic converter may not be properly processing hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust.

Why does my air conditioner smell like a car?

If you have a ductless/central air conditioning system, lizards and other critters can sometimes go into your indoor unit and make for an unpleasant experience. It’s best to always pest-proof your unit to avoid such a nasty scenario and having your AC smell like a carcass.