Odd smell when driving

Maintenance/Repairs
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1

Hi,

I have noticed an odd smell while driving my 2002 honda civic for the last couple of days. 2 things that i observed, 1. when I start the car and then turn on the a/c for a few minutes after that there is an odd smell which goes away 2. the same smell was observed when I had not turned on the a/c.



My car has 106000 miles on it and it does require a timing belt change and has some leak in the rack and pinion column too…



Thanks

2

You’ll have to describe the smell better. Otherwise, there’s no way we can guess.

If you don’t change the timing belt soon, the next thing you smell may be the $2000 or so that you burn needlessly.

3

If it’s sweet, then it’s probably anti-freeze from a leaking heater core. This is a health hazard, both for you and your car.
If it’s moldy, then it’s probably mold on the AC evaporator.

4

Start simple with a cabin filter and blow out the drain hose for the ac. If you are loosing coolant see above.

5

Hi Tardis,

It’s not sweet at all, Its like a burnt smell but for a short period of time. I will have to get it checked out soon…

Thanks,

6

It’s probably a minor oil leak.

7

Could be a caliper starting to freeze up