Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/764316
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2016 VI Motoring Car Aromas: What's That Smell? BURNING: Oil could be oozing onto a hot part of the engine or exhaust system. It also could come from overheated brake pads or rotors due either to ag- gressive braking, pads that don't retract when you release the brake pedal or the emergency brake being left on while driv- ing. On a vehicle with a manual transmission, the clutch plate could be worn or overheating from riding the clutch pedal. Leaves or other material in the engine compartment sometimes imported by nesting rodents also can burn on hot surfaces. Musty: If turning on the air conditioner generates a musty smell, mould has probably formed in the air-conditioning system. Moisture naturally col- lects on the cold air-conditioning evaporator (a small radiator that carries refrigerant into the car's dashboard) and it may be harbouring mould. Running only the fan at high speed (with the air conditioning off) can dry the evaporator.However, that doesn't guarantee the problem won't reoccur especially if it's being caused by a clog in the drain tube that allows water to drip out under the car. A musty smell also can be caused by carpets that get wet when water leaks into the interior. Rubber: The smell of burn- ing rubber could be an acces- sory drive belt that's slipping or getting chewed up by a broken pulley or hose rubbing against a moving part. An overheated clutch plate also can smell like burning rubber. Sweet: Antifreeze has a sweet, syrupy odour, and smelling it in- side a car usually means there's a leak somewhere in the cooling system. The source may not be easy to see. For example, the leak could be from a corroded heat exchanger, which is usually behind the dashboard. The leak could be in the form of steam that enters the cabin, producing the smell and potentially fogging the windows. Have this problem addressed, because breathing antifreeze isn't good for you. Rotten eggs: If you can smell rotten eggs or sulphur, your catalytic converter may have gone bad. The root cause could be an engine or emissions- system problem that made the converter overheat. Electrical: Smell burnt toast? That could be a short circuit in an electrical component or over- heated insulation. Take electri- cal odours seriously, because short circuits and overheated components are common sources of fire. Gas: It's normal to smell a little gas when a cold engine is first started because of incomplete combustion. If you smell gas af- ter the engine is warm, though, the gas cap could be loose or the evaporative emissions con- trol system which is supposed to contain fuel vapours and recycle them through the engine could be leaking or clogged. Even worse, gas could be leaking from the tank or another part of the fuel system. Always inves- tigate gas smells you discover when your car is parked before starting the car and potentially igniting the fuel. Rotting fruit: It's probably what it smells like. Look under the seats for decomposed bananas or apples. If your car is giving off a strange or sickening aroma instead of that new-car smell, follow your nose and find the source of the smell. Bad odours can lead to health hazards or expensive repairs and shouldn't be ignored. Here are some common aromas and their possible causes. Here we give a list of different aromas in your car OPEL SHOWROOM MDINA ROAD, QORMI, QRM9010 MALTA T. +356 2269 2122 E. OPELSALESMOTORSINC.COM.MT W. OPEL.COM.MT FB. OPELMALTAMI *THIS IS A LIMITED STOCK OFFER. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY "HAPPY SAVINGS" FROM OPEL OTHER SUPERB STOCK OFFERS AVAILABLE – VISIT OPEL TODAY ASTRA Essentia 1.4 (incl of scrap scheme) €16,250 WAS €19,950 (incl. scrap scheme) NOW CORSA Essentia 1.2 (incl of scrap scheme) €11,800 WAS €14,800 (incl. scrap scheme) NOW ADAM Jam Limited 1.2 (incl of scrap scheme) €13,300 WAS €14,400 (incl. scrap scheme) NOW MOKKA Essentia 1.6 (incl of scrap scheme) €19,000 WAS €22,350 NOW If you can smell rotten eggs or sulphur, your catalytic converter may have gone bad