How to Diagnose Smells in Your Car with Scotty Kilmer

Scotty Kilmer, a veteran mechanic with 46 years of experience and cult following on KZbin, explains how to diagnose car smells -- gasoline, coolant, oil and more. /// YourMechanic.com offers mobile car repair in over 700 U.S. cities. Repairs, maintenance, and diagnostics -- our certified mobile mechanics can do it all at your home or office. Get a fast and free quote at www.yourmechanic.com/book.

[@thomasitsasecretlol1988]

I don’t trust many ppl but Scotty has more than earned my trust thanks for all the helpful vids

[@colecolwell5941]

Long time fan. Your the only. Car guy I will watch. Cause you always no what to do to make my life easyer.

[@poppy89115]

I like this guy, straight and to the point. Subbed!

[@Yourmechanic]

Thanks!

[@hussblacksmith5417]

Your a champion mate thank you

[@Huntereich]

Why re-upload his videos here? He gets plenty of publicity himself without people being confused as to who is uploading.

[@yusukeyamada4300]

Scotty this is an awesome video! My used 2012 Ford Explorer AWD Limited that I bought from the dealership on August 25, 2018 has a similar problem described in this video. My wife and I noticed exhaust fume filling up inside the car and I'm not sure where it's really coming from besides the assumption of an exhaust leak somewhere. Is the dealership I purchased this from obligated to fix this problem free of charge? They will be diagnosing it all day on September 6. Any tips or feedback?

[@williamjamesrapp7356]

My 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee ( Laredo 5.7L HEMI ) always smells like Radiator Fluid when I drive it YET no indicators come on that anything is wrong and there is never anything on my garage floor. I am, however, using coolant that I have to refile from time to time ( ever couple of months but only maybe a quarter bottle MAYBE ). Heat indicator gauge does not go above half way and there is nothing in my information center showing any issues. I recently changed my oil and oil filter and both looked Fine or Normal. I do have about 135,000 miles on the vehicle and last year my water pump seized up and Me My Son and Father Replaced it ( My Son did all the work while we watched KZbin video on HOW TO and supervised him without issue ) . Engine seems to run GREAT.

[@hadashaross]

More videos please. Thanks

[@Arti9898]

Great video.

[@streetlegl]

when cleaning the catalytic converter with lacquer thinner will it harm the coil packs?

[@LuiPerez4629]

My car smells like everything

[@tomn3610]

Really enjoy your videos. Thanks for all the information you provide! I have a question. I was smelling oil inside my 2004 Nissan Frontier truck for quite sometime. Yesterday, I took it to Nissan, and they could see that my valve cover gaskets were leaking. So, they replaced the 2 gaskets, and cleaned up the oil that had dripped onto the sides of the engine. Well, I drove my truck home, and I noticed during the drive home I would still smell oil, especially when I came to a stop at traffic lights, but even more strong when I got to my home, and drove up my driveway.... which is only about 25 feet long, but it has about a 30 degree slant. The smell of oil was quite noticeable. Do you think it is possible that there is just more oil located in other areas of my engine that are still existing ..... prior to having the gaskets replaced ? I plan on taking my truck back to Nissan, but I was curious as to what you think the possibilities might be, regarding the fact that I'm still smelling oil inside the car? Thanks so much! :-)

[@TheSweetalchemist]

What about musty smell of the insulator under the dashboard? What's causing it to smell like dust? I have it replaced with a new one, and it's still smell.

[@mrs.mk.1615]

Thanks Scotty!!!! Your the best!!!!!

[@arethareereec61]

I'm sorry, but I cam't help it...."you're the best" not "your the best".... :-)

[@arethareereec61]

Oooops! *can't not cam't....lol

[@chrisaoropeza6475]

Thanks

[@lakotalovesyou]

My car started blowing smoke through the vents, it was a very STRONG smell of most likely Free-on.. I was .5 of a quart low. And topped it off at my oil change, That day. would this be a free-on leak? I had to turn the car off, and roll down the windows immediately. Also, at the same time I saw some smoke coming out of the hood, (was not hot)... thank you!!!

[@venturedreams140]

Scotty , I have a 2004 Toyota 4 runner and when I get on the gas it smells like burning through the vents only when I get on the gas any ideas?

[@Mr.SoRandom]

i have a 93 acura integra, when i engage the clutch it shuts off and smoke is coming out from the bottom of the car almost like an electrical smell... any idea what it can be?

[@theresaclancy6091]

I get a chemical smell when I turn on the heat or cool air. What causes that? Thanks for sharing great video.

[@dennis12879]

i get that its worse when engine is hot and when i put the heaters on hot air

[@nasirahsan786]

Hello my car engine give gasket burning smells wheel fan switch off (automatic system ) i direct power to the fan the burning smalls go,s out . tell me how can fix it ?

[@andreramos192]

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander GT I notice the smell of burn popcorn lol coming out of my heating vent.. What is it???

[@KW-ch1bh]

What if you notice a burning rubber or electrical smell when you turn on defrost or heater

[@sherifelserty9549]

I have a plastic burn smell coming from under the hood. I went to the dealer KIA two times and they failed to properly diagnose the reason. They cleaned the exhaust pipes in both times and the car still have this smell specially when I rave the car. Any idea what this would be? TIA

[@tupapau1241]

what about ammonia smell coming out of the exhaust?

[@drean3807]

I have a really weird problem on my BMW F34 GT 2014 - under the dashboard there is a weird smell like burnt sand plastic rubber maybe oil not sure though also when i remove any vent i can smell it strong, i got the dashboard removed clean the whole AC system and vents and the smell still THERE HELPP PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE [ Maybe the belt under the hood causing the problem ? ]

[@tomwashburn5619]

chemical smell coming from the vents only while idling. I just completely removed the whole dash and replaced the heater core. Figured it would go away but didn't. prior to replacing that the temperature gauge would rise until I hit a bump then fall back down to normal again. It also done that once since I replaced the heater core. Fortunately the green film that covered the windows hasn't came back but I'm still confused what is going on. I've replaced the coolant temperature sensor also. Any ideas?

[@drean3807]

bro do you smell burnt rubber-plastic under the dashboard also when you remove any vent you can smell it strong right ?

[@burtmacklinfbi8824]

What about a burning plastic smell?

[@cockroach___]

I have an automatic transmission mazda with the optional "sport" fake manual shift thing.. It smells like burnt hair when I floor it, or even if I speed up to pass someone on the highway. Help

[@youquietinpublic]

Same here

[@stephenpiccioni7098]

ok so smelling oil while driving but when I get home no oil on garage and no loss of oil ??????

[@abdisharif2979]

I HAVE THE EXACT SAME ACCORD

[@jsanch2011]

What about like a burning plastic/electronics smell coming from the ac vents when you first turn it on, and only when it’s first turned on. It’s really weird

[@braxtongerman4251]

jsanch2011 thats an exhaust leak

[@BoriPR82]

Hey Scotty I have a 2017 Hyundai elantra, I have a cylinder 3 misfiring and its letting off a chemical smell. What could it be? I changed the spark plugs

[@Daddy_Longnuts]

Ignition coil maybe?

[@AlexFoo89]

Scotty sir, my car has exhaust smell coming from behind :( do u have a video on that?

[@jessicavh1994]

Hello mr. Scotty , what if my car smells like bleach ? Could bad gas be the cause ??

[@gabrielhernandez2826]

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram, and every time I want to use my heater white smoke comes out and it smells like nasty maple syrup. please help me Scotty I have two kids and I don't want them smelling nasty maple syrup.

[@cortezcortez8695]

How about a bad transmission?

[@immortalinger]

Hi Scotty, my car AC smells really horrible especially when im speeding on the high way. what do you think it could be?

[@BlackSinatra339]

Heater core flush

[@michellehughesdixon6884]

I need some advice my car just started sputtering and I don't know y also when I turned on my heat and I don't know how to explain to smell that I smell but it was not a gas smell it was not a wood Snell it was not amazing smell it was not any kind of smell that I've ever smelled before my vehicle does leak power steering fluid however I do keep power steering fluid in the vehicle on all times and only drive it when absolutely necessary

[@princewooks6632]

I had a sputtering issue and it ended up being my fuel pump. As for the smell when you turn on the heater... I'm having that same issue. Haven't figured that one out yet. To be on the safe side just take it to a mechanic. That's what I will be doing.

[@joshuabuxton2858]

Anyone else see the HUGE NAIL on the ground under the car at 3:07

[@gerrylindgren9029]

2004 f150 battery goes dead after 3days.Had system checked several times. Replaced module behind rear seat but didn't fix the problem.

[@gerrylindgren9029]

?

[@TomO-if7nh]

Scotty, I really prefer your own videos. They were more fun, and enjoyable to watch.

[@jrock4060]

What about a strong burnt plastic smell when the heat is on?

[@gabblem.777]

Have you identify the problem with this? I have the same issue. Please reply.

[@3585orlando]

Hey Scott my cat converter smells like burnt plastic is my cat bad. I have unstable o readings I got new sensors but I sense the cat made me lose power

[@martinjason5630]

I have a 03 Hyundai Sonata and is has been smoking white coming from the back of the engine but car has been running fine without overheating and oil level seems okay and coolant level looks okay. What could it be? Someone told me it could be power steering leak.

[@finisher3x]

look up car smoking white. You are not going to like what you see. That almost always mean that water is getting into your engine somehow. Possibly a leaking head gasket.

[@tricianunley1922]

What does it mean when it smell like a skunk

[@Lightblue2222]

My car smells like old rusty engine. It's a 2006 pt cruiser. It's not a big deal unless I turn on the heat. Then it's pretty bad.. It doesn't smell burning or moldy, more just like a motor shop garage.

[@abdulmozid6085]

I suddenly get a fart smell, like rotten eggs, and then it dissipates. I’m wondering what it is, if anyone can help. It’s VW polo 1.2 2013 38k miles. It doesn’t happen all the time. It’s happened twice since I’ve owned the car.

[@trance1986]

I have kinda like rubber smell in my Mazda 3. I just bought it 20k miles certified used. Any ideas??

[@dylanheraid4611]

trance1986 is it a standard?

[@trance1986]

@@dylanheraid4611 no touring. It seems like it is slowly fading away I believe they used some cheap products to refresh it or something I'm not sure tho

[@albertinicasanova4490]

amigo I have a Lincoln mkz, everytime I turned on heat or cooler, my car makes smell like a fart. so I changed the air filter but the smell didin't go away,I took my car to mecanic-he said that he fixed with spray or whatever he did,but car smell didn't go away..I don't knw what to do..

[@vandieselcuuuz]

Albertini Casanova check your catalytic converter or battery Scotty has a good video on how to clean a cat For the battery make sure theirs no corrosion you’ll see hunk coming from the positive terminal most of the time

[@dcthegr8]

Hey Scotty! I got a real strong smell of Acetone (like nail polish) coming from the inside of my car. what could this be?

[@Roderick895]

windshield washer fluid. I had the same smell in my old Patriot. I replaced all the lines, and the nozzles and the smell went away. The one nozzle was broken underneath and the lines were deteriorating so when i hit the washer squirter, fluid would leak and get into the vents and smell my Jeep up.

[@rubberducky6411]

My best friends car smells like my ex wife, I think I found the problem

[@arethareereec61]

Oh Wow

[@angelrivera1945]

I change my hoses and heather core brand new and still get that antifreeze smell what else can it be plz help is a 2005 Taurus 3.0l

[@El16100]

Wait you have another channel 😵😵😵😵

[@michaeldarthquan2417]

My car smells like transmission fluid.. I have a manual 95 240sx annnnd I have no leaks.. how do I get rid of the smell😂💀

[@cheekalover]

I have a weed like smell coming from under the bonnet any ideas? And no I don't smoke that crap.

[@walkingquad2001]

My car has a sulfer smell and shaking like crazy. Replaced the converter and still doing it. FML!

[@timgreen2046]

WalkingQuad shaking could be bad spark plugs. I just replaced mine and the shaking is totally gone

[@LaLaLonna]

Burning plastic on a v8 mustang? Auto trans

[@ahunt01]

I’ve been dealing with a burning oil type smell for months. I have an 06 RAV4 V6. No leaking oil anywhere, no issues with any hoses or anything either. 3 dealerships have smelled it and can’t figure it out. You smell it from the front of the car, but inside it becomes VERY STRONG when you run heat and from the floor vents. Just a faint odor from the top vents or defrosters, and it completely goes away when you turn heat off or run it on cold. Any ideas? Much Thanks!!!

[@elizabethbooker7253]

Me too, did you ever find a solution?

[@emanuelburgest95]

What ended up happening

[@omarh4694]

They will never tell you that the engine is defective,, but out of greed and the cost of issuing a recall and replace the engine is outrageous,, so suck it up and keep extra oil in the trunk to fill the engine every now and then...that is a common big issue on these rav4...

[@carolynbonner1446]

My car started to smell like a skunk, or something; on my way home from work; (like 10 mins home). What does it mean?

[@albertinicasanova4490]

because u smoke too much skunk,that why lol

[@jfoo3305]

What about rotten egg smell???

[@jefffernandez6516]

Transmission smell? Burnt

[@gamefreak4691]

Scotty has more in depth videos on his own youtube if you want to learn more. I've become an intermediate Mechanic myself doing my own repairs by watching his channel. There are also a couple others like EricTheCarGuy, and South Main Auto. Check them out as well.

[@TomO-if7nh]

You're so right. He explains how to fix things a lot better on his own channel.

[@Luxtraveler247]

And chrisfix

[@chocolatetampon4492]

What about coolant smell from using heater!?

[@EvilKiller-jl5yl]

Chocolate Tampon Cracked or leaking heater core.

[@kmedit865]

Hello Sir, I have a 2013 durango. I get a burned smell inside when i drive with hard acceleration. Please let me know the reason

[@timstarburgin6485]

Hey me too did you ever found out the problem

[@ChepeDaNuT323]

Ever find the problem?

[@nkhjk3457]

Dauf is this a second channel what the heck ?

[@arethareereec61]

Awww! YourMechanic doesn't service my area yet...boooo...lol.

[@nikal..]

I like him:)

[@albertinicasanova4490]

which way lol

[@nikal..]

@@albertinicasanova4490 lamao im straight bro

[@realityhitz9351]

My 2007 chevy impala jerks at 0 to 10 mph every now and then

[@bw6267]

Reality Hitz check your cv axles, also could be a sticking brake caliper.

[@realityhitz9351]

@@bw6267 that makes sense. when i reverse out of park and turn my wheel all the way it creeks like a cricket when i turn too much and im having a roaring noise everytime i press the gas. whst im thinking is maybe an exhaust leak but the leak that i found on the pipe (thats super rusty as well) is really small and closer to the muffler.

[@ilovesheen7446]

if you’re american and its a manual car its most definitely the clutch

[@evar.patino2746]

My 2015 smell like burning plastic

[@paytondecorah5120]

Mine smells like fish or somethin dead 💀😂

[@tgunz-ok9nv]

Mine too

[@burrb]

I smell something weird when i accelerate and decelerate my car, but i am not sure how to describe it... maybe rotten egg? whats the caused of it?

[@Jmrv2]

burrb catalytic converter

[@burrb]

@@Jmrv2 any ways to prove it? the smell usually appears at night

[@TheAllapattah]

My car vent smells like pine sol

[@SDRobertsPlastering]

Fuck me Michael Douglas has hit rock bottom if he's having to fix cars for a living

[@ronaldmhundwa7538]

My car smells like LP gas

[@guillermoleon6997]

What was the problem...??

[@josueochoa9267]

My radiator smells like gasoline....

[@nccreeker1566]

This dude is like me, too much energy!!!! Na u lazy some bitchea!!!