Why Does Car Exhaust Smell Pungent?
2 Answers
The reasons why car exhaust smells pungent are: 1. When the three-way catalytic converter fails or becomes clogged, it cannot effectively filter the exhaust. If the car experiences poor acceleration and strong exhaust odor, the three-way catalytic system should be inspected; 2. When the engine has an excessively high concentration of the air-fuel mixture, it cannot fully burn gasoline, which not only leads to engine carbon buildup but also makes the exhaust smell very strong; 3. Poor-quality fuel is used. The solutions to address pungent car exhaust are: 1. The pistons and cylinder block need to be removed and cleaned; 2. Check if the fuel injectors are clogged and clean them according to the maintenance schedule to ensure the engine burns fuel efficiently.
Every time I smell the choking car exhaust, I can't help but think the engine might be 'coughing.' This situation is mostly caused by incomplete combustion, such as impurities or aging mixed in the fuel, or worn-out spark plugs losing their efficiency, leading to increased emissions of harmful gases like carbon monoxide. Additionally, if the air filter is clogged, insufficient air intake can make combustion dirtier, intensifying the smell. During city traffic jams, prolonged idling or insufficient warm-up during cold starts can easily produce more foul-smelling emissions. If the catalytic converter is damaged or clogged, its purification effect is lost, making the exhaust even more irritating. It's advisable to avoid low-quality fuel, perform regular maintenance, and check the emission system to prevent harm to both your lungs and your car. Remember, choking exhaust isn't just an annoyance—it also hides health risks and should be addressed promptly.
