Is Your Car Smelly? See What It Could Be! | Swarthmore, PA

Sure, owning a vehicle is all fun and games until you realize there could be something wrong with it. For example, if you’re vehicle is starting to smell bad while the engine is running, there could be something wrong with it. But what is it? Luckily for you, there is no reason to freak out because we have a few smells and their cause listed out right here for you! Take a look and if you have questions or would like to set up a service appointment to have your Nissan serviced, give us a call or schedule online today! We look forward to working with you and your Nissan! 

You Smell: Rotten eggs
What It Is: This could mean that your catalytic converter is having issues. And hydrogen sulfide could be making its way into your exhaust. This could simply be a fuel injection issue, or your cat is failing. Unfortunately, this could end up being a pretty expensive repair and lastly, if you smell the rotten eggs when your vehicle is turned off, that funky smell could just be some old food stuck under your seat or an old gym bag!  

You Smell: Hot oil
What It Is: The easiest smell of all to diagnose is hot oil. This happens when oil leaks onto your exhaust manifold which is hot due to your engine running. This smell is not pleasant so you’ll probably notice it right away! Take a look around your engine and vehicle to look for leaks. Also, keep an eye out for any smoke. If you can find the leak, try to stem it, then bring your car to the shop as soon as possible.

You Smell: Sulfur
What It Is: When you smell sulfur in your car, it’s safe to assume that it is gear lubricant leaking from either the manual transmission, transfer case, or differential housing. Sulfur compounds in the oil are used as extreme pressure lubricants for gears and after being in use for a while, these substances can get smelly and gross. Check for those oily puddles under your vehicle and if you notice any, bring your ride in for a check-up! 

You Smell: Maple syrup
What It Is: While this one might sound delicious, it’s most definitely toxic! The coolant has ethylene glycol in it, which makes this smell a bit concerning. If you’re smell maple syrup, that means there’s a leak somewhere and you’ll want to stop in for our technicians to take a look! This can be a simple fix but it’s best to have a certified technician treat this. You Smell: A gas station
What It Is: If you’re not sitting next to a gas station, this is an issue. If your car is on the older side (i.e. before 1980) then you could be smelling gas when you turn your vehicle off and have no issue. But, if your vehicle is newer, the smell of gasoline could mean a leak from your fuel injection line or fuel tank vent hose. Either way, it’s best to play this safe and stop in to see our team for a service check-up.

Tags: Information, Loughead Nissan, Maintenance, nissan, Service, Swarthmore PA
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