S.M.E.L.L

[NEEDnewCAR]

Ever since I got my 240sx, it has been a smell that not even a mechanic can fix. I spent about 400 dollar on it...but everytime when I drive long enough...esp.. highway, I smell this odor that makes me feel like i'm going to die from it. I check the exhaust; no crack, no hissing noise. Under the car, small leak...but I already took it to the shop.. he supposely fix it but who still smell. If anyone have similar problem, please tell me how I can fix it..

[burn240sx]

Does it smell like roten eggs, this is a sign that the catalytic converter has gone bad

[KA-Te]

Does it smell from inside or outside the car?

Does it smell like gear oil?

[NEEDnewCAR]

Inside the car. Usually smell after you start to drive for about 10-15 minutes.

[prospec240]

I know what your talkin about smell is so strong it almost feel like its buring ur eyes i never quite figured it out but after i swapped my motor and full exhuast it never bothered me again

[Un4Scene]

This sounds to me like the catalytic converter is bad. Or maybe there is something stuck in it, or on it...? If you know a good shop for exhaust have them use a pyrometer to check the temerature of the cat. with the vehicle running after the smell starts. Also inspect it for anything stuck to the outside, caught in the heatshield, etc... when the cat. is cold bump it around and see if you can hear anything rattle inside of it.

[Philsnotfalling]

heater core???? under the dash, coolant runs throught it and coolant isn't the most plesant thing to smell. check your carpet for any dampness anywhere under the dash. it might be a slow leak but it'll still make it smell.

[oki_bum]

or a cooked mouse....very disgusting when this happens.

[burn240sx]

coolent has a pretty distinct smell. Personally I dont think its so bad as to make me sick. once you smell it once your recognize it forever. A dead mouse got me thinking, did you make any roadkill lately. A mouse could be likely though, do you park you car in the garage or outside.

[MoSinister]

To the OP: What does it smell like, and how long have you been trying to get rid of this smell?

KA-Te has me wondering about a "gear oil" or lubricant smell. I too have had a smell that has been with the car from within the first year I bought it. I thought that maybe some grease on the clutch peddle had gone rancid, but I've never been able to get rid of the smell, nor has the dealer (although I only went to them once). Ten years later, it still smells; esp. in the summertime (hotter=worse). I've never located the source.

Could it be stagnant water in the air ducts? Have you tried fabreeze in the air ducts? Just a random thought.

[prospec240]

Well i have had both of those smells in my car now my car dont smell at all one for the gear oil i changed my differential fluid got rid of that smell then i got another smell was almost like a fume and even with the windows wide open it almost burned ur eyse like sumone sports socks after a football game nasty i ended up changing my whole exhust with my new motor and all went away well good luck those r my 2 Cents