Q: Weird smell coming thru a vents

asked by on September 30, 2016

Hello, Lately I have been getting a weird smell coming thru the ac vents when I'm driving, I've also seen white smoke coming from vents, but underneath the hood had no smoke. In addition to this my car always has an issue holding coolant. Some days I won't have problem at all. And other days I have to keep putting water in my reservoir to keep some kind of fluid in my car. Do you know what the problem could be so I can get it fixed??

My car has 110000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Metal-rubbing noise from back-left tire area
Hey there, thanks for writing in about your 2000 Saturn LS. The ball joint (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ball-joint-front-replacement) and the lower control arm (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement) work together in connection with the alignment of your car. When either of these two components are not working...
Purge valve canister
Hi there. In most cases, the purge valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-canister-purge-solenoid) needs to be replaced. It's due to rough idle or issues with emissions. If not replaced in a relatively short period of time, it can cause additional problems with the EVAP...
Head gasket, alternator, engine
I would recommend getting a quote for each of these repairs and comparing it to an engine replacement. It would be hard to tell without seeing the vehicle firsthand whether or not repairing those two items will resolve the problem....
Car won't start even with a new ignition switch, alternator, battery and starter 2005 Ford Escape V6
Hi there: In many cases, this situation is caused by a faulty crankshaft position sensor; when the engine will turn over and won't ignite. This is due to an ignition timing problem that needs to be replaced or correctly diagnosed...
Regenerative braking system amber light on dashboard
Hello. If the regenerative brake system light has come on then that signifies that the computer has detected an issue with the regenerative braking system. This can be caused by a wide variety of issues and will usually disable the...
Magnet stuck on spark plug.
I do not have a vehicle listed so I am not sure how to guide you. but depending on the location of the spark plug hole, he may be able to use needle nose pliers to go into the hole...
The distance the piston moves from TDC to BDC is called
This distance, in either direction, is called "stroke".
the rear wiper motor just chatters and won't move
Hello, thank you for writing in. To start, take a good look at the wiper and its linkage. Make sure nothing is obviously broken. If everything looks to be intact, then turn to the motor. There are plastic gears inside...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
The The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu ECO hybrid is an interesting car in the world of mid-size family sedans. Unlike other popular hybrids, it doesn’t have a full-sized electric motor that takes over when the car starts. Instead, it uses eAssist...
2012 Chrysler 200 vs. 2012 Chevrolet Malibu: Which One Should I Buy?
When you are looking for a small-range sedan, you need to get somewhere quickly and inexpensively, and may even need to take a few kids with you. Slightly larger than a commuter car, these mid-size options offer decent gas mileage,...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Undercover Cop
If If you're an undercover cop, when you choose a used vehicle, your main purpose is to look like anything but a cop. That means, of course, that an unmarked Crown Victoria is probably not the wisest choice. We’ve evaluated...