When the car is running well, there should be no strange sounds or unusual smells. But when malfunctions occur, there are some auditory and visual signs you should look out for. Here are 9 car smells and sounds you shouldn’t ignore.
We all want our car to run perfectly for a lifetime if possible.
Some can get lucky and go years without a problem with a vehicle. In other situations, problems can appear from day one, even with a new car.
That’s why you need to pay attention to any unexpected noises or unwanted smells. Because they can warn you that your car has a problem.
The 9 Car Smells and Sounds You Shouldn’t Ignore
When car malfunctions occur, it is very likely that various smells or unusual sounds will be heard in the car. Those from huffpost.com I say they should never be ignored.
Here are the 9 car smells you shouldn’t ignore:
- the smell of burnt oil;
- the smell of burnt rubber;
- sweet-sour smell;
- plastic art mirrors;
- musty smell;
- smell of boiled egg;
- unusual squealing when braking;
- strange clunk in wheels;
- unexpected metallic rattle.
Even if no warning light came on in the dashboard to warn us that the car has a problem, these smells indicate a problem. And the sounds also warn us that the car has a breakdown.
Why does the car smell like burnt oil?
Burnt oil smells are similar to that specific smell from an industrial plant.
If this smell is felt in the car, it is very likely that there is an oil leak in the engine or power steering. It drains onto a hot area of the engine or exhaust system.
This means that there is a risk that the engine is no longer properly lubricated. Or the car is left without the power steering system, or the power steering pump burns out.
In addition, there is a risk of oil falling on the hot surface catching fire.
„This is definitely a risk you take if you ignore this smell. If it’s a small leak, it won’t cause a fire, but if it’s a larger amount, it might,” said auto technician Bogi Lateiner, according to the Huff Post.
Smell of burnt rubber in the car
When there is a burning rubber smell in your car, there may be a problem with the brake caliper.
The brake caliper is a hydraulic mechanism that presses the pads onto the brake discs when the brake pedal is depressed.
Sometimes these can get stuck, which can cause the wheel to lock up. Thus, it will no longer rotate correctly, and the tire will rub against the asphalt.
That’s why when you smell burning rubber in your car, you need to check the wheels right away.
Sweet-sour smell in the car
Many drivers have noticed a sweet-sour smell, similar to that of hot syrup, entering the car through the air vents.
This usually means that the radiator has broken and the coolant is flowing onto a hot surface. Or the engine cooling system has cracked and is losing antifreeze.
These fluids are not flammable, so there is no risk of fire. But if you run out of antifreeze or coolant, the engine will overheat and may even fail.
„A coolant leak is relatively inexpensive to fix. But the effects of ignoring it are generally very costly,” Lateiner said.
Smell of burnt plastic in the car
A burning plastic smell could simply mean that a plastic bag has stuck to the car’s exhaust system. This is not a big problem, because it will melt and the smell will disappear.
But when the smell persists, a cable or wire may have come off and is touching a hot spot. And this should not be neglected, because it can cause a short circuit that destroys your entire electrical system.
Or worse, it can cause a fire.
That’s why when you feel such a smell for a longer period of time, you need to take the car to the service for a thorough check.
Why does the car smell musty?
The “dirty sock” smell is unmistakable and almost always comes from the pollen filter.
Because of the air conditioning system, mold appears in the filter area and even inside it.
In addition to the unbearable, suffocating smell, it can also be a source of bacteria. They can cause allergies, respiratory or eye infections, as well as lung conditions.
Fortunately, replacing the pollen filter is simple, takes little time, and is fairly inexpensive.
Smell of boiled egg
If you smell sulfur in the passenger compartment, it is a sign that you have a bad or old catalytic converter.
This particulate filter is usually located between the engine and the muffler. Its role is to destroy the particles resulting from the combustion of the fuel.
When there is a smell of boiled egg in the car, it is very likely that the “check engine” light will also light up on the dashboard.
In this case, either the catalyst is clogged or it has disappeared altogether. There are more and more cases where thieves steal the particle filter, due to the precious metals they contain.
Unusual noises in the car
If an unexpected squeal is heard when braking, rust may have accumulated on the surface of the brake discs.
„If you hear a sort of “pa-pa-pa” sound like a machine gun when you turn, it could be a bad axle that can lock up if it gets worse,” Lateiner said.
This CV (Constant Velocity) axle transfers power to the car’s wheels and keeps them moving in the forward direction during cornering. And if you hear a “grinding” noise when braking, it means that there is a serious problem and it is very possible that you will run out of brakes.
When a strange clunk is heard in the wheels, the bushings or tie rod ends may need to be replaced. Bushes absorb vibrations while a car’s flexible ball joints help the suspension move up and down when the car goes over bumps.
Such noises tell us that it is time to take the car to the service for a complete check of the joints.
And if we hear an unusual rattle or rattle, one or more bolts on the exhaust pipe may have come loose. Sar the car has a problem with the timing chain tensioner.
Of course, it can be a problem with the timing chain, in cars that have this transmission system. Or, there is a risk that the car’s pistons and valves will not work properly. Which can even lead to the destruction of the propellant.
Source: www.promotor.ro
