I went to get in my car yesterday and noticed a very stong fumey (not petrol) smell. I've been to check it out today and there is still a smell so its definately my car. I've checked to see if there any leaks on the road but can't see anything.

The car still drives and I can see no warning lights on the dashboard. (Although I won't be driving it anymore until I know what the problem is)

I haven't got chance to go to the garage today so I was wondering if anybody has a clue about what it could be and how much it is likely to cost to get repaired.

Many thanks in advance

Jen

does it smell like anti freeze? If so it could be a coolant leak. check the fluid levels and see if you're loosing radiator water.

It actually smells a bit gassy - strange. Not sure what anti-freeze smells like. My b'friend had a look and he would have said if it was anti-freeze i'm sure. I will check it out tho, thanks.

what sort of fumes?
exhaust? oil? a sweetish smell?

Like cyclone says - check fluid levels - check your oil level (via the dipstick) and coolant level (via looking for the header tank - it should have a marking on the outside saying min/max. DON'T TAKE THE CAP OFF THE HEADER TANK IF THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING IN THE LAST 2 HOURS - the coolant will still be hot and as it's under pressure is likely to expand, many people make this mistake and get burned. :(

I'm a bit thick when it comes to cars!!! Doesn't smell oily but it could be from the exhaust. However, the smell is much stronger inside of the car than out. I will check my fluid levels and see. Thanks

have you had a new exhaust fitted? could be burning labels off or it could be knacekred & blowing from the box.

:does it smell of rotten eggs it could well be the alternator what is frying the battery:thumbsup:

Mine had a exhaust fume smell inside the car, it was from a hole in the boot floor (the car is 14 years old), welded it up and problem solved.

It could be labels burning off, as willman says, or if you have had the oil changed, or an oil leak and its on the exhaust it will be burning off.
Another thing could be the clutch, if you ride it then it will cause a horrible smell, it will do the same if there is a problem with the clutch mechanism, if its sticking etc?

Does the smell happen only when the car is running, or is it all the time?

If it's an exhausty smell, but mainly in the car, then it could be a leaking exhaust pipe/section join - try not to drive the car for any long period until you've got it checked out as fumes in the car could make your drowsy - driving with the windows open is a sensible precaution. :)

I meant to ask that. For some reason I thought you were getting the smell when the car hadn't been run, is that correct?

I would recomend driving your car very fast for a long period of time. If something fails then that is the cause of the problem and you can get it fixed.

I use this method to check if I am having a heart attack or if I have indigestion. If I have a pain in my chest, then I run up and down stairs several times. If I don't collapse and die then I need rennies.

Well, I first noticed the smell when it was parked (ie when I got in it to go somewhere) but it does smell when I drive it too, however the smell doesn't get worse when driving.

It doesn't smell eggy.

I had a new front bit on the exhaust put on in August last year and a new back box about 6 months prior to that.

Also, I've not changed the oil or anything.

Does this help?

Hmmm....... :huh:

Is the smell still noticeable when driving?
Is it noticeable from outside the car (no matter where it's parked - i.e. I'm tying to rule out a blocked drain/similar 'local' smell) and inside the car, or just from the outside/inside?

Try to describe the smell if you can :)

It's definitely not a local smell because when I went to the gym the other day I noticed it straight away when I got back into the car in the gym car park.

Yes, you can still smell it whilst driving but as I say, it doesn't get worse when driving.

I'm just going to have another sniff of the whiff, I will report back in a min.

Probably left something rotten in the car if the smell days whilst parked ;)

Ok, please don't shout at me, I think I've figured out what the problem is.............


A bottle of engine oil has leaked in the boot of my car - which would explain the smell.

So my next question is.....how do you get engine oil out of the boot?

I'm such a dumb blonde!!

plenty of fairy liquid may need doin a couple of times buts its the rite day for it soon dry out

Thanks to everbody for you help, much appreciated.

Jen
xx

Mop up what you can with kitchen towel, then clean the rest with lots and lots of applications of detergent I'm afraid! Car places like Halords will stock specialist cleaning products to get oil out of things if it's really bad - swarfega is also good and probably safe enough to use on boot carpets, otherwise look for de-greasers.

At least you've found the problem :)

if the carpet is held in by little clips then take the whole section out to clean outside the car, and wipe any residue of the boot interior.

I wonder if somthing like a plastic bag has caught on your exhaust/manifold as this once happened to me, once this happens it takes ages to burn off.

Ok lol little slow there

if the carpet is held in by little clips then take the whole section out to clean outside the car, and wipe any residue of the boot interior.

Yeh, the boot interior seems to come out ok, I think its just a case of literally, as you say, wiping and hosing it down.

Thanks very much everybody.

If in doubt again try posting on migweb.co.uk theyre all really good on their with cars. :)