I've noticed that my car's exhaust is giving off that 'old crappy car' smell. What exactly causes this smell? Also, my friends (who noticed it initially) told me a tune-up should cure this. Is there truth in their claims? Thanks!

 

Is it a rotten egg smell? I beleive that comes from catalytic converters.

 

nah, not really a rotten egg smell...it just smells like a year-old car shouldn't.

 

oil and filter being changed? injectors are clean? fuel lines are clean? i dunno....but i try not to smell my exhaust very much =)

 

my exhaust smells like roses

 

Have you done any mods? Something recently? Changed fuel companies recently?

 

nah, not really, I use Shell almost exclusively, and my car is stock!

I haven't had a tuneup yet, and it's been nearly 30K miles, so I may need one of those...

 

Can't hurt..... except maybe your bank account

 

You took a shower right? J/k

Im still wondering how your car smells like. Like someone smoked in it?

 

Nah, the car itself doesn't stink...just the exhaust. Kinda like if you walked up to a '92 Dodge Shadow and smelled its exhaust. It just doesn't smell how a newer car should smell.

 

Use it to your advantage. Next time some kid in a Civic "races" you from a light, pull in front of him and give him a noseful of old car scent.

 

wow. Mine does also!
*sniff sniff*
*thunk*
uuuuuuuuggghhhhhh... roo...sseeesss....

just kidding


I hate to say this but check for leaks. My car smells cuz it has chassis leaks (water gets through the chassis) or check for a dead animal in the engine bay? This has happened more than once...

 

We had a similar problem here and it is caused b/c of bad quality gas. The car doesnt burn all the bad mix so unburned gas turns to that smell in the porcelain base of the catalytic converters. Tell your tech to check for oxigen readings from the scanner (MUTT 2) and do a readjustment until the smell is gone. Also try another gas station.

Hope that corrects you smell problems

 

If it's cold where you are, exaust will smell "strong". If it's rotten eggs, that's the cat. converter. No CEL? If not, you should be fine.

 

if u have the rotten egg smell will it hurt anything?