# Chemical odor from vents **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** cr-v, honda\ **Created:** [January 14, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chemical-odor-from-vents/59960 "2011-01-14T23:52:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![atkm57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f475e1/32.png) [@atkm57](https://community.cartalk.com/u/atkm57)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chemical-odor-from-vents/59960/1 "2011-01-14T23:52:23Z")
When using the defroster, a chemical like odor emits from the vents and I and I can eventually I can taste a bitter taste on my lips and irritation to my nose. Too strong to use and I have to turn off the defroster. ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chemical-odor-from-vents/59960/2 "2011-01-15T00:00:36Z")
Have you had any coolant loss? I remember one guy who had a pack of matches fall into the defroster vent, and had his dashboard catch on fire. ---
**Author:** ![atkm57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f475e1/32.png) [@atkm57](https://community.cartalk.com/u/atkm57)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chemical-odor-from-vents/59960/3 "2011-01-15T00:10:36Z")
The dealer thinks there’s a “kink” in the exhaust system due to a minor bump to the rear bumper (which occurred 2 years ago) and no one else can smell the odor. ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chemical-odor-from-vents/59960/4 "2011-01-15T00:15:47Z")
An exhaust system should not be hard to check for leaks, perhaps a small amount of oil is leaking onto the engine, most likely the head gaskets. or [http://community.cartalk.com/posts/list/2191392.page](http://community.cartalk.com/posts/list/2191392.page)