Why Does My Car Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

If your car smells like rotten eggs, the culprit could be something as simple as old oil or something more serious like a broken catalytic converter. It’s important to determine what exactly is causing that pungent smell so you can find an effective solution quickly. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common reasons why cars smell like rotten eggs and what you can do about it.

Is the smell coming from engine or passenger compartment

If the smell is only in the engine compartment, you know that it’s a leak of some kind. You can check for leaks by looking for oil stains on top of the engine or underneath it. If there are no obvious signs of an oil leak and you still smell oil, ask yourself: Is there any chance this could be something else? For example, did I just fill up my tank with gas? Gasoline contains hydrocarbons which are similar to diesel fuel and may cause an odor similar to rotten eggs when burning inside an enclosed space like your vehicle.

If you have checked over everything in your engine area and still can’t find anything wrong with it—and if you’ve ruled out gasoline as a possible source—then it’s time to turn your attention elsewhere: down below! Open up your trunk and take a look at what’s back there (if you don’t know how to open up your trunk then ask someone who does). Do you see any piles of clothes or boxes that might be causing odors? If so then clear out whatever smelly items are hiding under there by taking them out for washing or throwing them away altogether!

Common reasons

The most common reason you’d smell rotten eggs in the engine compartment is a broken catalytic converter, which converts gases into non-toxic gases before they leave the tailpipe. The catalytic converter is located in the exhaust system and contains a catalyst that breaks down toxic gases into non-toxic gases. It can break down and smell like rotten eggs if it is old or damaged.

If you notice a rotten egg smell coming from your vehicle, it’s important to determine where it’s coming from. If the smell is only present in the engine compartment, then it might be something simple like a dirty air filter. On the other hand, if it’s also present in the passenger compartment of your car as well as when you drive it around town, then there could be something wrong with your catalytic converter or another part of your exhaust system that needs replacement.