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OUR BLOG

4/2/2021
Do you notice a weird and uncomfortable smell inside your car? If so, you could be dealing with a faulty engine. Read this post to learn to identify the cause of different bad car smells by Lopshire Motorsports in Ottumwa.

There are many things that can cause a bad smell inside your vehicle. For one, you could have left a bag of food or a pile of sweaty clothes on the floor. However, issues related to your engine can also cause bad car smells. To be safe, it's important that you learn about common reasons for bad car smells. If you are interested in learning about this topic, read this article that Lopshire Motorsports in Ottumwa has for you today.

Musty Smell

People often complain about a musty smell coming out of their vents. If this happens to you when you turn on your air conditioner, there could be mildew growing in your air-conditioning system. After some time, moisture can collect on the cold air conditioning evaporator, which causes mold to form. One thing you can try to solve this issue is to turn off the air conditioning and run the fan at high speed. This should dry the evaporator and clear the mildew. If the smell persists, make sure to get your air-conditioning system checked out by a professional.

Burning

Do you notice a burnt smell while you drive? This can happen when oil leaks out onto a hot part of your engine. Another common reason for this smell is having worn out or overheated rotors or brake pads due to aggressive driving. Another explanation for this smell can be having dried leaves, dirt, garbage, a rodent, or other elements trapped in your engine. To rule out this option, lift up your hood and give your engine a good check. If you don't find anything hiding in your engine, make sure to visit a mechanic.

To protect your vehicle, give your engine amazing products like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil. Learn about the benefits of a synthetic oil change in Ottumwa by speaking to a professional at Lopshire Motorsports. For more information, call (641) 680-7181 today.

Sweet Smell

A common reason for having a sweet smell in your vehicle can be the coolant that is leaking. A coolant that contains ethylene glycol could be leaking from the cylinder head or radiator. It could also be the case that the intake manifold gasket failed. Whatever the reason may be, if you notice a sweet smell while driving, it is definitely a sign that your engine needs some maintenance.

Rotten Eggs

Having a rotten egg smell inside your vehicle can definitely be uncomfortable. This smell often makes its way into your vehicle when the catalytic converter stops working properly. The catalytic converter has the job of converting hydrogen sulfide in your engine's exhaust into sulfur dioxide. If your "cat" stops working, get it checked out and, if needed, replaced. Another common reason for this smell can be that you simply left an old bag of food, some sweaty clothes, or some other element that caused your vehicle to smell like rotten eggs. Make sure to give your car a good clean to rule out this option.

Are you looking for the best products for your engine? Get in contact with a professional at Lopshire Motorsports and ask about amazing AMSOIL products. For information about the benefits of a synthetic oil change in Ottumwa, visit the online store or call (641) 680-7181 today.

Gas

Every vehicle has an evaporative emissions control system. This system is in charge of containing fuel vapors and recycling them through the engine. When this system becomes clogged or starts leaking, you can start smelling gas. If you smell gas after your engine is warm and you start driving, this can be one of the reasons causing the smell. However, if you notice this smell before you start driving when your engine is still cold, it can be because of incomplete combustion, which is normal.

Exhaust Smell

Smelling exhaust fumes inside your cabin is something you should never ignore, as it could indicate a leak in your car's exhaust system. This smell can be very detrimental to your health. So, if you smell an exhaust odor inside your vehicle while you are driving, make sure to take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Give Your Engine a Synthetic Oil Change in Ottumwa to Keep it in Top Shape

Now that you know how to identify the source of different bad car smells, learn about amazing products for your engine like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil. Get in contact with an expert at Lopshire Motorsports and ask about the benefits of a synthetic oil change in Ottumwa. For more information, visit the online store or call (641) 680-7181 today.