Does your car's exhaust smell sweet?

Not all sweet smells are actually good for your sweet tooth, especially when it's coming from your car's tailpipe. When the engine is hot and sweet fumes are coming out of the exhaust pipe, don't stand there inhaling the exhaust. It is very toxic. The sweet burning smell could be the smell of the burning of ethylene glycol, which is used in your car antifreeze fluid.

Sweet maple syrup smell could also be costly. Car engines are built with coolant liquid chambers surrounding each cylinder to help regulate the engine temperature. If the coolant fluid leaks into the engine, it could cause abnormal engine damage. If you smell sweet syrup fumes coming from the exhaust, take your car to get it inspected immediately to avoid an engine overhaul.

Where is coolant fluid?

It is wrapped around each cylinder. Take a look at the cross-view of an engine below. The engine coolant fluid is designed to control the engine temperature. The coolant fluid absorbs the the heat generated by the fuel/air combustion. Improper level of engine fluid may cause the engine to over heat. Check your engine coolant level if you smell sweet exhaust. Caution! Do not open the radiator cap when the engine is hot.