Why Does My Car Smell Like Maple Donuts?

July 26, 2022

We all love the smell of sweet maple syrup on donuts, waffles, and pancakes. But would you imagine your car carrying that smell? Would you still find it amazing? It may not be so much of a delight. Sniffing a maple donuts smell in your automobile may be your first step to a major problem diagnosis.

So, why does your vehicle smell like someone just ate or left maple donuts in it a few minutes ago?

You Might be Having a Coolant Leak

Coolant fluid, or as some people call it, antifreeze, plays a critical role in the proper functioning of your car. In addition to regulating your engine's temperature, it prevents it from overheating. It consists of specific chemical properties for drawing the heat out from the engine. It also integrates anti-corrosive properties to maintain every part it passes through in a healthy state.

How Your Coolant Leak Translates to Maple Donuts-Like Smell

While your vehicle's mixture of water and antifreeze draws out the heat from your engine, another mechanism repurposes the warm air generated to heat up your cabin. While this happens, the warm air carries the coolant fluid smell if there is a leak in the engine. Remember that, typically, coolant fluid has a distinct sweet odor that we often compare to maple syrup.

But note that the leak might not be on the engine alone. Antifreeze flows through the radiator, heater core, hoses, and many other parts, which could also leak.

What Are The Consequences?

A maple donuts-like smell in your car means the probability of a coolant leak somewhere within this complex system. With a coolant leak comes the loss of the amount of coolant your car needs to cool down the engine. Unfortunately, your engine and its surrounding parts could suffer irreversible damage when the engine heats up.

What To Do

Engine repairs are never cheap or easy. Therefore, once you sense your car smelling like maple donuts, be sure that it immediately needs professional attention. Our auto repair shop has certified technicians who will thoroughly review every part linked to the cooling system and quickly get your car back on the road again.

So, for your vehicle servicing, we invite you to bring it to Stang Auto Tech today!

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