We place a high value on smell in our lives. The scent of food may tell us if it’s rotting or fresh. If a cut on your body has a foul odor, it is infected. What about cars? What should you do if you detect a strange burning odor from the vents?
What does the smell of burning oil mean?
The smell of burning oil may be a simple indicator of oil spillage or it’s an alarming indicator for a serious problem.
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Most car owners complain about the burning smell after an oil change so it’s generally assumed that there must have been oil spillage and oils may have reached the exhaust, it goes away in a few hours.
On the other hand, if the oil level is showing drastically low, the engine getting heated up, brake, gear, and all related mechanisms acting out then the oil smell is an indicator of a leak and worn down parts which are unable to retain the oils from spreading.
Even the dirty air filter which may be overheating can be the source of the burning smell. Sometimes it might smell like maple syrup, burning plastic, or even burning fish, each smell will be holding the key to identifying the root of the problem.
Why does my vent smell like it’s burning?
A car vent releasing a burning odor might be caused by a number of factors. The most frequent cause is a dense coating of dust in the vent or a faulty heater, which can spread a nasty burnt plastic odor. Various burning scents may signal different concerns and should not be overlooked.
Let us discuss some burning smells coming from your car and their reasons to be aware of your beloved vehicle –
Burning plastic stench:
It’s one of the most typical issues for most car owners. When customers complain about the burning plastic odor coming from the vent, a thorough check reveals that it is almost often due to a massive dust buildup.
Most owners only care about the outer shine and completely ignore the fact that inner parts, vents need to be cleaned and maintained properly on a weekly basis. The plastic smell emitting from the vent can also be because of a faulty heater or cooler.
There are antifreeze elements present in the heater and if leaked into the vent, you will be dealing with a strong plastic burning odor.
Burning rubber stench:
Burning rubber has a unique stench that could be easily identified in any situation. If your vent is releasing a strong burning rubber stench then it’s high time to do a maintenance check on all the car belts.
You may find a fault in the AC compressor or Air pump and these issues can put a huge load on the connected rubber belts. The rubber belts may melt down or wear out because of too much strain.
Burnt fish smell:
If you feel a mild smell of burnt fish inside your car then there is a high probability that the electric wire in your car has worn down completely or it’s burning.
The electric wires are made of copper with plastic insulation, so if you can smell a mixture of burnt fish and plastic then resolve the issues with the wires as quickly as possible.
Burnt oil smell:
It’s the worst thing to deal with, burnt oil smell is a direct indicator of oil leaks.
If the oil is leaking from the brake then the brake system may not work properly, if it’s leaking from the engine then it will reduce lubrication and create a complete breakdown.
Why does my car smell like burning oil after an oil change?
Your car can smell like burning oil after an oil change for the following reasons –
Oil spillage:
While going through an oil change, oil spillage is a pretty obvious and frequent issue. If that oil reaches the exhaust or any particular area which releases a significant amount of heat then you may smell a burnt oil odor around your car.
It’s a normal thing, the burning smell may stay for a while but there is no need for any concern.
Lose drain plug:
For changing the oil, you will need to remove the drain plug and other related parts so the old burnt oil and junk can be totally eliminated and the oil chamber is ready for receiving the new oil.
If somehow the oil filter or the drain plug is not properly attached or stays loose then the oil will leak thus you will feel the burning oil smell. It’s highly recommended to double-check everything after an oil change.
Leak:
Engine, brake, gearbox and several other mechanical components need oil for keeping them lubricated and functional.
If you feel a strong burnt oil odor along with noise or uneasiness while driving the car or the engine is getting heated alarmingly all of a sudden then there is a leak present. It would be wise not to neglect such issues and go for a thorough check-up.
How to get rid of the burning oil smell in the car?
It would have been very convenient to apply an air freshener to get rid of the burning oil smell but any sort of perfume freshener won’t give a permanent solution. Identifying the root of the problem, sealing any leak, changing the internal components, oil rings may bring fruitful results.
The following tips might help you to get rid of the burning oil smell in the car –
Identify the root of the problem:
It’s hard to reach any conclusion without knowing what is causing the burning smell in the first place. It might be simple oil spillage that reached the exhaust or it could be a result of serious wear down in the oil rings.
Engine, Brake, gear all require different viscosity oil and it’s hard to understand which component is faulty without a thorough check-up.
Even If you lift the car and check under you might not find anything, so it’s best to seek an expert mechanic or go to an automobile workshop.
Don’t ignore the little sign:
Every problem will show symptoms and if you ignore it in the initial stages then you may have to deal with an even bigger problem later.
If your car gear ain’t changing properly or there is an unpleasant noise while gear change, your engine is getting hot more frequently than before and the engine oil level is drastically going down without any significant sign of a leak.
And your brakes are working delay, these are the simple things that may not be a big deal for some but if ignored for a long time it will become a big headache. When you start to get the burning oil smell that means the oil is surely leaking and it’s maybe too late to solve it just by sealing the leaks.
Due to a long period of ignorance the gear shaft might be broken, the break must have worn out, and the worst-case scenario is that the pistons, oil rings all have received major damage and are unable to hold onto the oils anymore hence the burning oil odor.
It will be wise to give attention to the small details and it will surely help you avoid the burning smell.
Can a dirty air filter cause a burning oil smell?
Yes, a dirty air filter can certainly cause a burning oil smell in the car.
A dirty air filter will have accumulated a lot of dust and residue, so when you are driving the dirty air filter will be unable to filter any more air and may do the opposite, meaning your vents will be filled with the burning smell.
Let’s say you have a dirty filter that is unable to fulfill its purpose and you haven’t changed it, so the most obvious thing to happen will be the air filler getting very hot and the dirt will start burning, it’s like a cherry on top for the overall burning smell in your car.
It’s highly recommended to check and change any dirty air filters. The air filter is required to be functional not just for the car but for the owner and passenger’s health.
Why do my air vents smell like burning?
Air vents may smell like burning for several reasons. For starters, if the air filter is clogged up then it may overheat hence the burning smell. There might be a faulty electrical wire, it will also emit a burning smell. worn-out fan belt, ac belt will also release a burning smell.
If the heater is broken or the air coolant somehow reached the vent it will also be the reason behind the burning smell.
The most common yet concerning the reason behind the burning smell would be any sort of leak, wear-down parts of the engine or other mechanical components, and getting overheated.
Final Thoughts
A burning stench emanating from a car vent might be the result of a variety of things. It may smell like burning plastic or rubber, or it could smell like burning oil, which is the worst. Various burning odors might indicate a range of difficulties that should not be overlooked.