Use for questions where smell is a defining feature – e.g., in cases where a distinctive smell helps to diagnose a problem, or where you want to ask about a smell as the primary issue.
Questions tagged [smell]
104 questions
72
votes
6 answers
Why does my A/C blow foul smelling air when it first turns on?
Most of the time when I first turn on the A/C in our 2008 Toyota Sienna, the air that blows out has a very distinct chemical - nasty smell. After a while it seems to go away. I'm not sure if I just get used to the smell or it actually goes away.…
polarbear
- 823
- 1
- 7
- 6
17
votes
5 answers
Oil burning smell and slow oil leak
I am wondering what types of issues I am most likely looking at with this; My 2003 Ford Escape (V6) has an increasingly pronounced burnt oil smell that has developed slowly over a year or so, coupled with a slow leak of oil. Lately, we can notice a…
Andrew Barber
- 303
- 1
- 2
- 7
16
votes
5 answers
When car is standing still, I smell Diesel exhaust. Why?
In my 2003 Opel Vectra, the cabin air smells of Diesel exhaust while stopped at e.g. a red light.
The exhaust smell goes away when driving, and it also doesn't come back if I turn the ventilation off before stopping at a light. It's not…
Torben Gundtofte-Bruun
- 891
- 4
- 10
- 18
14
votes
3 answers
Clutch smell after botched attempt at accelerating on a ramp
Recently on a ramp in a parking structure I messed up when trying to accelerate again from a standstill by not letting the clutch out far enough and bringing the engine to way too high rpms (may have been around 4k). Afterwards a burning-kind of…
Joey
- 505
- 1
- 4
- 17
12
votes
1 answer
Recreate new car smell
I bought a second hand Toyota Sienna 4 months ago. Even though it is a 2009 with 100,000km on it, the interior had that "new car" smell to it, and held it for several weeks.
Four months later, the smell is gone, so I'm assuming that they sprayed…
Martin Argerami
- 300
- 1
- 10
11
votes
3 answers
Why is oil on my throttle body hose?
I've been tracking down a number of low grade oil smells in the car lately (2004 Subaru WRX). So far, that has included replacing the left front axle (was losing all kinds of grease through the boot), replacing a power steering hose that had a tiny…
Bob Cross
- 24,537
- 11
- 85
- 166
9
votes
1 answer
My car's diesel exhaust smells really bad
First of all let me say I apparently have no exhaust leak.
For a long time I've been asking myself how was it possible that the exhaust of my car smells so bad. It does it when in the morning, I start my car, drive out of my garage, and go to…
Noldor130884
- 443
- 3
- 8
- 15
9
votes
4 answers
Remove smell / odor from car's interior
We recently purchased a used minivan and it wasn't until we got it home and let it sit overnight that we noticed there was a distinct smell to the interior. The smell is not offensive but it is not welcoming either.
What are the best methods to…
Scott
- 303
- 2
- 3
- 8
8
votes
1 answer
I drove with the handbrake on for 1000 metres
I left my handbrake on for about 1000 meter when driving this winter. I smelled something burning when I opened the front door.
Since then there is often a burning smell back right wheel after driving.
Does the burning smell come from the…
Jenny
- 81
- 1
- 1
- 2
8
votes
1 answer
Neutralizing sulfur-like smell from car
A full bottle of jewelry cleaning (links product and material safety data sheet below) broke in my car and went unnoticed for a few days. Now the car has a sulfur-like smell whenever I go into the car. It dissipates within a few minutes, but then…
Brian
- 233
- 2
- 6
7
votes
5 answers
How much isopropyl alchcol to deodorize AC ducts?
i'm looking to remove an odor from my Corolla's fresh air intake.
There are products available where you spray the product into the fresh air intake (near the windshield wipers), while the fan is running full speed:
Toyota has a blurb about how to…
Ian Boyd
- 297
- 1
- 3
- 10
7
votes
1 answer
2009 Hyundai Sante Fe - gas smell in cabin after replacing fuel sending unit. has been repaired 4x's now
Fuel sending unit replaced. Since then it has gas smell in car. It has been redone by mechanics four times now but still has a gas smell when the gas level is in the first quarter of the tank.
Cap is on tight.
Why does the gas smell in my car…
Carrie
- 71
- 1
- 3
6
votes
2 answers
Snowblower evaporative emissions retrofit
We have a Murray 1695539 snowblower. Problem is, while it runs fine, when we store it in our (attached) garage, it emits enough fuel vapor that the whole garage, and the breezeway between the garage and the house, reek of fuel, and we even have…
ThreePhaseEel
- 181
- 3
6
votes
3 answers
Why does my car smell badly after it has been raining?
I park my 2006 Toyota 4Runner outside, and, after it rains, the inside of my car smells badly. i suspect that the moisture causes mildo. That said, I have two questions:
How do I eliminate the odor?
How do I prevent this from happening?
Throckmorton Q. Dirktwister
- 61
- 1
- 1
- 3
6
votes
1 answer
2002 Mercedes E320 - Exhaust getting into the cabin of the vehicle and causing headaches
Experiencing exhaust fumes in the car. It's causing eyes burning and headaches after driving the car for 30 minutes. The Dealer checked and found nothing wrong but every time after driving the car for about 30 minutes, I have head ache and my eyes…
Rao P Potharlanka
- 61
- 2