Seven Common Causes of a Burning odour in Your Car
We all wish our cars have a pleasant smell because it keeps us comfortable on the road during a journey. Nonetheless, the smell of the alerts you to any vehicle problems. A burning smell coming from a car is frequently caused by a number of issues that require immediate attention.
You may notice a burning smell coming from the car while accelerating but have no idea where it is coming from. As infuriating as it may sound, the odour could be coming from the engine.
As a result, it is critical to pinpoint the source of the smell and seek working solutions, such as consulting your professional car mechanic during a car service In Reading. It is in your best interest to resolve this issue as soon as possible for the sake of your health, safety, and the overall performance of the vehicle.
What Causes a Burning Smell in a Car?
There are a few possible causes for that horrible burning smell starting from your vehicle. In essence, there is no single "cause," but you can keep an eye out for the common reasons we will discuss in this article.
In the majority of the cases, the smell is caused by a technical problem within the vehicle, signalling to the driver a potentially dangerous warning. So, if you have any of the symptoms listed below, you should take your car to a mechanic for appropriate solutions during full car service near me:
1. Clutch Issues
Have you ever considered that the strange burning smell emanating from your vehicle could be the result of clutch issues? It happens all the time, especially when changing gears while driving. The clutch's face could have been burned while slipping off. The odour is similar to that of a burning newspaper and thus easily detectable. As a result, it appears that handling the clutch with caution is critical in order to avoid such a problem. If you followed the general rule of not riding the clutch, it would undoubtedly last longer.
2. Slipping Drive Belt
If your car's drive belt appears to be melting, a burning odour will undoubtedly be detected. Any of the drive accessories, such as the air pump, generator, water pump, or AC compressor, may appear to be locked. In essence, the belt begins to rotate on a frozen pulley, and the burning rubber smell becomes noticeable as a result. When the belt slips, this is also visible. As a result, you may begin to hear some irritating sounds while driving. Keeping this in mind, inspect the belt for wear and tear and address any issues that may arise. If you are still unsure, look for a car service near me and leave it to the professionals to rectify.
3. Short Circuit in the Vehicle's Wiring
Have you ever wondered why your new car smells like burning plastic? It could be the result of a short circuit in the car's wiring caused by a plastic bag becoming entangled in the exhaust pipe. In any other case, things could get much worse, so you need to act quickly. If you ignore such an odour, it may cause further damage, possibly resulting in a fire. As a result, driving the car after smelling such a strong burning odour is dangerous. Please get in touch with the car mechanic as soon as possible.
4. Oil Leak
Oil leak appears to be one of the most common causes of a burning odour in automobiles, and it frequently occurs when the oil enters the exhaust pipe. What is the smell of burning oil like? When engine oil enters the exhaust pipe, it emits an "acrid odour." Because the pipe is hot, the oil starts to burn and emits white smoke from the exhaust. When you have to rev the engine to get up the hill, you can smell burning oil coming out of the vents. Check for oil leakage and try to fix the problem if you see something similar in the future.
5. Faulty Heater
If the heater in your vehicle fails or becomes dusty, you may notice a burning smell. As a result, it's a good idea to clean the dust off the heater, especially if you haven't used it in a while. A clogged vent, once again, would prevent proper airflow and could be the source of the smell. If the heater appears to be broken, such as if antifreeze leaks into the vents, it is best to address the problem as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
6. Leaking Coolant
If your car has a burning smell but isn't overheating, it could be because the coolant has leaked. That is, in essence, why you can detect a car's sweet burning odour. As a result, the radiator and some radiator parts may be worn, allowing coolant to leak. The smell of burning rubber may be present if the heater core appears to be damaged and coolant begins to leak into the air conditioning and heating system.
7. Brake Pads and Discs Are Overheated
If you notice a burning smell when you apply brake pressure to your car, it could be a sign that your brake pads and discs are overheating. If you believe the smell is coming from this location, you can assist in resolving the issue as soon as possible. Don't dismiss your concern. Instead, have the brakes and discs checked.
How to Remove a Burning Smell from Your Car
If you do ever smell a burning odour coming from your car, you'll notice that it causes more than just an imbalance in the ambience of your immediate surroundings. Apart from that, it indicates that your safety appears to be at risk.
As a result, it would be beneficial if you took prompt action to resolve such issues by identifying the major underlying issue. You should consult with a car expert and avoid driving until the problem is resolved. If you want to improve the burning smell on your own, here are a few ideas based on the type of smell:
Burning Oil Smell
This smell appears to be fairly common when the car has had improper oil changes, failing gaskets, loose oil filters, and a faulty oil plug. It may appear that inspecting some of the vehicle's components takes a long time. As a result, you may need to hire a mechanic to inspect these parts for potential flaws. Nonetheless, any of the damaged parts mentioned above would benefit from a replacement. So, if you ever smell an oil-burning odour coming from your car, you'll know what to do.
The smell of Burning Rubber
A variety of factors can cause your car to smell like burning rubber. If the burning rubber smell from the car tyre isn't the culprit, it could be a sudden problem with the clutch or drive belt. Similarly, it could be caused by oil leaks, in which case you should look into the source of the problem. If you notice such a smell whenever you shift gears, the clutch surface is most likely worn. As a result, a suitable replacement would be effective in resolving the problem and improving the smell of the car. If, on the other hand, the odour is accompanied by strange sounds, the drive belt may be faulty. It may be melting due to a faulty air compressor or air pump. Consult a mechanic to ensure that everything is in working order and that the problem has been resolved. There are also common causes of oil leaking into the exhaust pipe, which can produce a "burnt rubber" odour. While this problem persists, make sure you don't start revving the engine excessively. Please bring the car to the garage as soon as possible so that repairs can begin.
Burning Plastic Smell
One of the most common causes of a burning plastic smell is a faulty heater or issues with the vehicle's electrical system. As a result, when diagnosing the problem, you should investigate these areas. It's best to clean the heater if it appears to be clogged with dust and debris, especially if you haven't used it in a long time. If possible, unclog the vents, as using the heater in this condition may result in a burning odour that makes you uncomfortable during rides. You may need to take the car in for repairs once more because the heater damage could be more severe. If that does not appear to be the case, it could be a wiring issue with the vehicle. To diagnose and repair such a problem, please contact a car technician.
The smell of a burning carpet
If your brakes are failing, the vehicle may begin to produce this smell. When you start applying hard on the brakes as you drive down the "steep" heel, it appears to be fairly common. This issue can be avoided by performing routine car maintenance. If the odour persists, it could be caused by a seized calliper piston, causing the brakes to "drag." You might notice smoke coming from that location soon. When you notice this, you should look for the piston calliper. Please ensure that the piston calliper is in proper working order and position. Avoid using the handbrake while driving as a preventive measure.