We've all been in a situation where we’ve detected an unpleasant odor in the car before. And if it smells anything similar to rotten eggs, it may actually be your car warning you of a serious problem. There are multiple things that could cause your vehicle to give off a stinky smell. Here are some of the most common causes of a rotten egg smell in vehicles:
1. Sulfur in Gasoline
Sulfur is a substance that has the same nasty stench as rotten eggs. This element can naturally be found in crude oil. And it is also a byproduct of the fuel refining process. Nowadays, gasoline has very little sulfur in it. However, gasoline with a more concentrated formula can have more, giving off this unpleasant odor.
2. Clogged Catalytic Converter
Another common problem in cars that can produce a really bad smell is a faulty catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is a big component in your emissions/exhaust system that turns harmful engine byproducts into safer ones. When the catalytic converter goes bad, it can mess up the process and give off a rotten egg smell. This kind of problem should be looked into immediately.
3. Exhaust Leak
A leak elsewhere in your exhaust system can also produce this nasty fume. An exhaust leak can occur anywhere, from the engine all the way to the tailpipe. Some exhaust fumes can be dangerous to breathe in, depending on how they’re handled. So please get your car to a trusted auto repair shop ASAP.
If you find a rotten-egg odor in your vehicle, it is better to be safe than sorry by taking your car into an auto repair shop. When you bring your car, SUV, or truck to B & L Automotive for exhaust repairs, we’ll have it fixed and back on the road in no time.