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Why does my Nissan smell bad? 

Have you ever noticed a mysterious odor coming from somewhere in your car? Oh, it’s just that old fish you forgot about after a day on the water. Wait, something still smells funky. Take that trash bag out of your back seat. Man, how filthy is your car? Is there still a bad smell? Well, unless it’s just lingering from your nasty habits, it could be a problem with your Nissan. Keep reading to learn about what causes some bad odors in your car. 


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Oil leak 

A recognizably putrid stink is burning oil. Oil leakage is a relatively common occurrence and it doesn’t usually mean anything too serious. However, when oil leaks it can sometimes burn when it hits your exhaust system. A sign of burning oil, other than the smell, is a blueish, smoky cloud coming from under your hood. Get the leak patched up and these problems will subside quickly. 

Heater core 

If your heater core is leaking, it may cause a sweet, syrupy smell. This odor will be most noticeable when your heat is turned up all the way. This smell comes from your antifreeze and it can also cause a filmy fog on your Nissan’s windshield. 


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Catalytic converter 

A busted catalytic converter can often result in the stench of sulfur whenever the engine is turned on. The catalytic converter is meant to control emissions and when it doesn’t work right, the inside of your Nissan ends up smelling like old eggs. It isn’t really an indication of a serious problem, it just causes a very unpleasant smell. 

Brakes or clutch 

If you get a harsh smell invading your nostrils when you apply your brakes, it could mean your brakes or clutch have become burnt. Leaving the parking brake on or riding the brakes are common causes for this and a brake replacement or repair will solve the issue. 


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woman plugging nose