Questions tagged [smell]
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.
98
questions
13
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1
answer
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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 ...
- 300
4
votes
1
answer
364
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06 Solstice (Yay) Fuel smell after hard acceleration
Vehicle: the ever-present 2006 Solstice with aftermarket turbo.
When I lift after hard acceleration, I can smell what I think is gas for a few seconds. It dissipates quickly, but is disturbing.
A ...
- 3,149
1
vote
0
answers
93
views
Strong gas odor 1997 VW Eurovan [closed]
Not strictly the gas cap...mechanic cannot diagnose the problem. I am the original owner, vehicle has 100 K in excellent condition except for this and the air conditioning also just went out (...
4
votes
1
answer
10k
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Smell of Ammonia when driving. What can be the reason?
I started smelling ammonia when a drive. What can be the reason?
I did recently changed the exhaust pipe. I drive infinity G35.
- 143
2
votes
0
answers
83
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Is Lysol a good treatment for the musky AC smell? [duplicate]
So i bought my BRAND NEW Corolla 6 months ago. Recently i started smelling a musky smell coimg out of the AC. The smell is especially persistent when the AC is off (yes OFF, not ON)
So I went to the ...
- 297
6
votes
1
answer
172
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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 ...
2
votes
1
answer
987
views
Mazda 3, temporary acidic vinegar/mayonnaise smell
Lately I have noticed, just after switching on the A/c, I smell some sort of a vinegar/mayonnaise mixed smell for about 5 mins, post which it disappears automatically.What could be the possible cause, ...
- 380
5
votes
1
answer
753
views
How to get the swamp smell out of my car?
My 2000 Mercury Sable 4D Premium LS (Duratec 24V DOHC 3.0L engine) smells like a musty swamp. The door seals leaked a couple years ago, letting in water. Since then it has smelled awful. I'm gotten ...
- 215
15
votes
3
answers
102k
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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 ...
- 525
3
votes
1
answer
94
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Vehicle tries to stall when at a stop
Have a 2009 Saturn.
Two weeks ago I took it for a basic oil change at the dealership and requested that it be checked out for any other problems but I have noticed that sometimes at a stop light it ...
- 31
11
votes
3
answers
3k
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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),...
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2
votes
1
answer
3k
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For cleaning HVAC with Lysol, should the AC be on or off?
Many people recommend spraying Lysol Disinfectant Spray or similar products into the HVAC intake to kill mold and bad odors inside HVAC.
Should the AC be on or off for this procedure?
As far as I ...
- 215
9
votes
1
answer
27k
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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 ...
- 443
6
votes
2
answers
2k
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Which knob setting best cooks the mold inside HVAC?
I am trying to eliminate odors inside HVAC by cooking the mold that is presumably causing them, as suggested in https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/a/146/15334 (which got 39 upvotes)
However, I don't ...
- 215
1
vote
0
answers
70
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How to eliminate odors from the vents? [duplicate]
How to eliminate odors from the vents? (The odor is noticeable, even though it's been months since I used the A/C)
Many people recommend spraying Lysol Disinfectant Spray into the A/C air intake, ...
- 215
7
votes
1
answer
3k
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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 ...
- 71
4
votes
1
answer
3k
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Burning Rubber while driving and after
Tonight I popped out in my partners car and noticed an awful burning/chemical smell whilst driving, this smell got worse if you turned on the AC (FAN BLOWER), so I got her to pull over and had her pop ...
- 191
2
votes
2
answers
7k
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A foul odor inside vehicle, like something is dead inside vehicle (Toyota Camry 2002), especially when car is not running [duplicate]
Over the past 5 days, I detected a really bad foul odor inside my 2002 Toyota Camry. It is worst when the car sits overnight, or for any length of time. As soon as I open the car door, "the smell ...
- 21
4
votes
0
answers
32
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Mercedes veto Exhaust
Just got a new exhaust fitted, the part that goes from the front wheel area all the way to the back. And NOW there is a smell of exhaust fumes in the veacle, that seams to be coming from the vents. ...
- 41
2
votes
1
answer
2k
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Snow Blower Break In Smell
I just started my new snowblower today to try to break it in. Within maybe a minute it started emitting a "burning metal" smell. I stopped it and there was some smoke coming out of the air filter.
...
- 123
3
votes
0
answers
133
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2010 Volvo S80 - Cabin HVAC system schematics
Something in my sedan's cabin air system smells bad (organic bad, not mechanical bad), even after changing the cabin air filter.
I have a bore scope, vacuum, compressor, and hoses sufficient that I ...
- 1,189
2
votes
1
answer
903
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2002 4Runner - Smell of fuel by drivers side
I smell fuel off the drivers side wheel well of my 2002 4runner.
My check engine light is on and I changed my gas cap. The lights went out and back on. I think it's the connection.
It has a cover ...
- 21
3
votes
1
answer
17k
views
Paint thinner/magic marker smell coming from AC
I recently purchased a 2012 Honda Civic (~36,000 miles). The AC will intermittently give off a paint thinner or magic marker smell. From what I understand, antifreeze has a sweet smell, and mold or ...
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2
votes
1
answer
397
views
Car is slow to start, shakes occasionally, and smells hot... but runs fine?
I am driving a 2000 Ford Explorer with 140k miles on it. Although the car runs well, it feels like it is on the verge of a breakdown that I'd like to stay in front of if possible. When I start the car,...
- 31
2
votes
4
answers
6k
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BMW e46 cabin air vent smells [duplicate]
The cabin vents smell like mold and mildew. It's worse during humid days. I'm pretty sure the AC has something to do with it (since it smells bad when I turn the AC off and keep the fans blowing) but ...
- 442
1
vote
1
answer
374
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BMW e46 problems after Lysol in air intake
I was spraying Lysol into the cabin air intake (not the engine intake) right under windshield wipers while running the fans, and after doing this for several minutes (fans on the whole time, Lysol ...
- 442
3
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Burning smell when getting out of the car
I sense a burning smell when getting out of the car (Nissan Maxima 02 V6). I am pretty sure it is an oil leak from somewhere based on the odor, but not sure where else to look for.
The smell was ...
- 243
6
votes
1
answer
1k
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2001 Subaru Legacy L Wagon - Gas smell and light shaking
So... It is really freezing and has been really cold these past few days.
But, my 2001 Subaru Legacy L Wagon started acting up.
First, here are things I know been replaced before I got it - Tires, ...
- 696
6
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Burnt oil smell when revving engine
When accelerating hard and revving engine around 2000-4000 rpm I smell burnt oil smell from my A/C. The smell is similar when I open the oil filler cap or dipstick.
Did hunt for oil leaks and solved ...
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8
votes
1
answer
171
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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 ...
- 233
1
vote
1
answer
159
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1995 Honda Civic dx Overheats and does not want to go over 35 mph when overheating also has a burn smell
I have had my car for over 7 years
Rebuilt transmission and fixed many things over the years
put to much money into it. I really need help and dont know what to do ...
I have a 1995 Honda Civic Dx......
- 11
3
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Burning smell when driving
Firstly, this question is written by someone with very little knowledge of cars. So, please bear with me.
Some weeks ago, I was driving to work and smelled this horrible, thick, burning odour. Given ...
- 151
7
votes
1
answer
15k
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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 ...
- 71
4
votes
2
answers
4k
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2003 Ford Escape..strong fuel smell
2003 Escape 3.0L V6 149,000 miles 4x4. Three weeks ago a very strong fuel smell coming from rear of vehicle after I park it. Don't smell it anywhere else. Replaced the original fuel cap with after ...
- 126
6
votes
3
answers
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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?
...
2
votes
1
answer
1k
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What's That Honey Smell?
From time to time I get a pretty noticeable honey-like aroma coming out of my vents. Although it smells like honey to me, a friend described it as "old lady lavender".
I have a 2011 Nissan Sentra ...
- 193
5
votes
3
answers
23k
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Burning smell, leak, losing power. Maybe transmission related
First off, I know almost nothing about cars. I can fill them up with gas and drive them. That's about it. This car is a '99 Subaru Outback, automatic.
When I last took my car in for an oil change, ...
- 153
16
votes
5
answers
101k
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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 ...
- 293
0
votes
1
answer
576
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2006 Kia sedona has a burnt electrical smell
My 2006 Kia Sedona has a burnt electrical smell but the van is running fine right now although it did seem to be acting like it was loosing power but then was fine we are at a loss any ideas
- 1
7
votes
5
answers
13k
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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 ...
- 297
6
votes
1
answer
310
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Do I have to get another Volvo?
I live in Florida and have mold allergies. Multiple times my 2008 Sienna van has a bad AC smell develop which makes me cough my head off. The dealer has cleaned the evaporator and ducts and the ...
- 69
3
votes
2
answers
4k
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Loud rumbling and burning smell when turning on defroster
Tonight while driving my 2003 Kia Sedona with the defroster on, suddenly I heard this very loud rumbling which sounded like it was coming from the engine compartment on the passenger side. My first ...
- 199
6
votes
2
answers
4k
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Foul Smell when turning on air conditioning
I have a 2007 Chrysler Aspen, and recently (past 2 weeks) when I turn on the ac, I notice a 'foul' smell, like burnt rubber, or even sulphur-like. The smell will last a few minutes and will gradually ...
- 61
1
vote
2
answers
3k
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Burning rubber smell from Ford F-250 -- diagnosis?
I have a 2006 Ford F-250 Super Duty, gasoline V8 5.4L, automatic transmission, rear-wheel-drive. When driving on the highway, a burning rubber smell developed. I got the truck home, then to the shop,...
- 111
9
votes
4
answers
13k
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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 ...
- 303
4
votes
3
answers
2k
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Why would gasoline engine exhaust smell like perfume?
Quite often I encounter a vehicle that has exhaust with rather sharp smell similar to perfume. As far as I know this is attributed to the engine malfunctioning - normally working engine will exhaust ...
- 1,366
16
votes
5
answers
73k
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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 ...
71
votes
6
answers
390k
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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 ...
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