Smell of fuel as you start your car is normal. It is due to an incomplete combustion. Musty and smoky smell is normal from your car exhaust. It can be distinguished easily. Bad engine odours should not be neglected. These may lead to heavy and costly repairs.
Poor engine smells caused by burning oil, overheating, electrical issues, transmission fluids and other likely odours need immediate inspection. A good driver never neglect any misbehaviour of car.
Bad Engine Odours
Different type of bad engine smells indicate different problems. Every problem must be solved by its unique method. First of all you should inspect the smell and try to find its cause.
Causes of Bad Engine Odours
Below given causes are unique in their smell. If you feel any offensive smell immediately inspect it.
1. Broken Catalytic Converter
Catalytic converter transforms toxic pollutants into less poisonous gasses prior to release via exhaust. When the converter is choked it may produce rotten egges smell as the pollutants pass.
2. Defective Fuel Pressure Sensor
Fuel pressure sensor manages the flow of fuel into combustion chamber. If it is faulty excess fuel may be injected. A part of fuel remains unburnt. It also effects catalytic converter and you may feel bad engine odours.
3. Burnt Rubber Smell
Most of the times this smell is due to worn brake pads. However hose pipes and belts are made of rubber. These can loose or slip and made contact with something hot. It produces unplesant burning smell.
4. Oil Leaks Produce Bad Engine Odours
Various engine components can leak oils. It may also be leaked from power steering lines or gear oil. When these dropped on hot exhaust pipe, you may feel strong burning smell.
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5. Bad Clutch: Burning Paper Like Smell
It is mostly found in the manual transmission cars. This leads to wear down and grinding gears. A burning paper like smell gets worse when shifting gears. It requires your immediate attention.
6. Electrical Issues Cause Bad Engine Odours
Electric wires are laminated with plastic. If there is a short circuit in the system or wires get very hot, you will feel abnoxious smell.
7. Gasoline Odours
Sometimes you feel gasoline smell. It indicates problem in fuel system. However if you feel this smell while driving, it demonstrate leakage in fuel lines. It is hazardous due to fire catching.
8. Leaking Coolant
Engine cooling system consist of hoses. Overtime it develop leaks. Coolant drop on hot engine components it creates bad odours. Sometimes a damaged head gasket mix up oil and coolant, it burns in combustion chamber and create smell.
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9. Debris and Other Foul Constituents in The Engine
Debris and dust make their way to the drain and overtime consolidation clog it. Water become mouldy and results bad engine odours. This issue increases rapidly when your car is standing for long time and duct system not in use.
