WHAT'S THAT SMELL?

6 Vehicle Warning Smells Your Nose Can Recognize

1. Burnt Rubber - the smell could mean slipping drive belts or misplaced loose hoses that might be rubbing against rotating accessory drive pulleys.
2. Hot Oil - the smell of hot oil could mean that oil is leaking onto the exhaust system.  To verify the leak, look for oil on the pavement or smoke coming from the engine area.  Caution:  Turn off the engine before checking for a leak.
3. Gasoline - this smell is likely the sign of a gas leak, possibly a fuel injector line or the fuel tank. Caution:  Any smell of fuel is a possible fire hazard, so immediate attention should be given.
4. Syrup - the sweet smell of syrup may be a sign that the car is leaking engine coolant from a component related to the car's cooling system.  Caution:  Do not open the radiator cap when it is hot.
5. Burning Carpet - this smell could be a sign of brake trouble.  have your brakes checked right away, especially if this smell is happening during normal driving conditions.  Caution:  Brake trouble is a serious safety hazard.
6. Rotten Eggs - this smell could mean the catalytic converter is not converting hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust to sulfur dioxide properly.  Caution:  A poor running engine can cause the catalytic converter to become overloaded and fail due to meltdown.

Remember, once you know what a smell may be, don't delay in fixing it to ensure you are safe on the road.  Give us a call if you have any questions or concerns (530) 621-4591 or visit our website www.theautoanalyst.com.