Weird Smell

[dsmBear]

I bought a 94 gsx, runs finee (now) except it takes a few cranks to start. But it always just has an odd smell after i turn it off, is it just an old engine smell? i don't really know words to describe it.

 

[YUPOK]

I'll take a crack at this.

The only time your going to have something smell is if it's leaking something or leaking something onto the exhaust and cooking it.

If your smelling something sweet it's antifreeze, something like burning brakes, it's brakes or clutch, then there is engine oil whick you won't smell a leak unless that falls on the exhaust and will also cause a little smoke, auto trans oil will smell like a sweet WD-40, gear oil will smell like rotten dinosaurs.

I would let it warm up and get your head under the hood with a light and see if you can see any leaks or smoke.

Or you might have a mold issue from inside the car. Sometimes the seals go bad and leak water. The factory wing on my Talon was leaking into the trunk real bad and had a moldy smell until I fixed the leak and cleaned up the spare tire well.

Or you have a critter that found it's resting place in your car.

Or your Ex thought it would be funny to throw an old fish under your seat.

Look, everywhere with a good light.

 

[Rsawd95dsm]

Could be running hot also, check the coolant level.

 

[Talonman86096]

If it's smells anything like sulfer or rotten eggs it could be a clogged cat. After turning the car off take a look under and see if your cat is glowing at all. Just something I know can produce an odor.

 

[Spoolingaround]

Or your Ex thought it would be funny to throw an old fish under your seat..

z. Someone be pounding their head against a wall trying to figure out whats wrong with their car...

 

[captain_kurt]

I'll take a crack at this.

The only time your going to have something smell is if it's leaking something or leaking something onto the exhaust and cooking it.

If your smelling something sweet it's antifreeze, something like burning brakes, it's brakes or clutch, then there is engine oil whick you won't smell a leak unless that falls on the exhaust and will also cause a little smoke, auto trans oil will smell like a sweet WD-40, gear oil will smell like rotten dinosaurs.

I would let it warm up and get your head under the hood with a light and see if you can see any leaks or smoke.

Or you might have a mold issue from inside the car. Sometimes the seals go bad and leak water. The factory wing on my Talon was leaking into the trunk real bad and had a moldy smell until I fixed the leak and cleaned up the spare tire well.

Or you have a critter that found it's resting place in your car.

Or your Ex thought it would be funny to throw an old fish under your seat.

Look, everywhere with a good light.

rotten dinosaurs

 

[lucas483]

touch the battery also if is really hot your alternator is overcharging it is dangerous and smells bad also,