Hey guys, over the last few days ive noticed that whenever i stop driving and get out of my car,i am noticing a very raw, distinct smell coming from the engine, i dunno how to describe the smell but its very pungent, my car isnt burning any oil, or using any water, and i cannot find any oil leaks around the engine, anyone have any idea what it is?
My car has come of age and has the noisy lifters or whatever it is on startup, is it an idication that the problem is getting worse?
It hasn't stopped raining for here for nearly 2 weeks now, my first assumption was burning mud from my dirt driveway or something, but that sounds silly:P

Check the colour and smell of all your fluids. And also for any dead animals under there.

replace the radiator cap and renew the coolant
start there
if hoses are soft replace them

replace the radiator cap and renew the coolant
start there
if hoses are soft replace them
How long should coolant last?
It was all flushed and cleaned with the major 200,000km service, which was done about 15,000 kms ago. Last oil change was about 5,000km ago.
haha its not a dead animal, it smells like something burning, not a fleshy smell but a burning smell.

How long should coolant last?
It was all flushed and cleaned with the major 200,000km service, which was done about 15,000 kms ago.

Was the coolant flushs etc done by you, or by a mechanic. Hate to say it, but often mechanics take shortcuts where they can, and often dont do everything they say, ie, maybe they replaced the fluid, not flushed it etc

It was done by a mechanic, im sure he done it because it still looks really fresh, actually the radiator cap is a bit dodgy, doesnt look to well, could it be that making the smell?
sorry im not really good with engines and stuff.

the cap wopuld only cause a smell indirectly by letting you burn away your coolant thus causing overheating. which youve already said is still there. do you drive round roundabouts much faster than is safe? cuz thats what the smell is in my wagon when i pull up. tyre smell mmm

nah its not driving to fast, and it musnt be the cap then, something is burning somewhere, im sure the problem will find my wallet before i find it:cry:

I would look at the exhaust system (specifically exhaust manifolds) sounds like something's getting on to it maybe a oil leak from the rocker covers, the oil cap, power steering (seems unlikely but worth checking).

Eliminate what it's not, everyone knows the smell of petrol so thats easy. When you burn transmission fluid in the auto that has a funny burnted peanut butter smell (bad) and the fluid is black. If the battery is being boiled/overcharged by a faulty alternator that has a horrible acidy smell which ussauly makes you feel as though you can taste blood in your mouth if your head is under the bonnet (probably not good for you). Just a couple of suggestions but if it smells like its burning I'd bet that exhaust heat is involved.

i topped up my oil the other day (yes my car burns oil, valve stem seals are dead) and the dog knocked me. result was some oil getting on the manifold. after an extensive clean up i got most of it burt there was still a bit left that is slowly cooking as i drive. actually looks cool in a really dodgy way, stop at the lights and there is a faint whisp of smoke coming out the grill like a snorting bull or something lol

that has a distinctive smell to it, but i associate it with oil. could it be the same smell?

i was going to say, perhaps your cat converter has collapsed?

possibility 0ne:

Your car smells - run the engine and try to locate the source of any smoke or smell. Collapsed cat, oil/coolant dribbling on the hot bits etc.

possibility two:

If you only get the smell when you lift the bonnet, exposing your armpits, then YOU smell.
Get a good deodorant. Use after showering. lol

possibility 0ne:

Your car smells - run the engine and try to locate the source of any smoke or smell. Collapsed cat, oil/coolant dribbling on the hot bits etc.

possibility two:

If you only get the smell when you lift the bonnet, exposing your armpits, then YOU smell.
Get a good deodorant. Use after showering. lol

:bowrofl: :bowrofl:
LOL.

possibility three:

You have a smelly passenger. Apply remedy as for two above.

possibility four:

A rodent or some other feral animal has died somewhere and the heat of the engine brings out the smell.

possibility five:
Some shopping has been left in the back and is rotting away slowly.

possibility six:
Someone threw up on the back seat when you were not watching and was too embarassed to mention it.

1. check for prawns in your hub caps

2. check for lamb chop tied to exhaust

3. check your boot for neighbours dead cat after your last midnight drunken argument with snaggle puss

4. perhaps your breaks are not fully releasing

5. possible clutch smell if manual box applys

6. with a stick remove the bits of homeless guy you run down 3 days ago

Problem solved, i checked my exhaust and i found a lamb chop tied to it, thanks Gibb for helping me out.
Might have to get it checked out by someone who knows what they are doing.

say what??

u mean u literally had a lamb chop tied to your exhaust or is that some slang for something?

Pretty funny, atleast u know what rotten cooking meat on an exhaust smells like

+1 for disintergrating brakes... they make a pretty distinctive smell though....goes well with eaux de "smoking tyres"

Problem solved, i checked my exhaust and i found a lamb chop tied to it, thanks Gibb for helping me out.
Might have to get it checked out by someone who knows what they are doing.
Hopefully that doesn't mean what I think it does :bowrofl:

I should of added i was being sarcastic with the last post, it could be my brakes, im pretty sure my rotors are warped anyway because when i brake hard i get pretty decent steering wheel wobble, and my brakes dont feel very effective at all, i just figured the ABS might of been why they are pretty lousy under load, might have to get them checked, the smell is really distinct, ive never smelt anything like it before.

I should of added i was being sarcastic with the last post, it could be my brakes, im pretty sure my rotors are warped anyway because when i brake hard i get pretty decent steering wheel wobble, and my brakes dont feel very effective at all, i just figured the ABS might of been why they are pretty lousy under load, might have to get them checked, the smell is really distinct, ive never smelt anything like it before.


Warped rotors should make your brake pedal pulsate under braking.

Warped rotors should make your brake pedal pulsate under braking.
I forgot to mention that, it feels like its shaking, doesnt feel to safe, but its been happening so long ive forgotten to worry about it, guess its time to get my brakes done finally, thanks guys.