1992 Honda Accord car odour

KODI

MEMBER
1992 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

Car mechanically good but recently a nasty smell is finding its way into cabin. Can only describe it as a cross between rotten egg gas and urine. Thought is was coolant dripping onto exhaust system. Has a burning smell to it. Sulphurish.
Local mechanic has pulled cat converter apart and says it is in good shape. He thinks it may be excess fuel going thru exhaust unburnt. I am not convinced. I thought smell was originating from under car but not sure. Most noticeable after you start the car and go to drive off - even with windows fully up and intenal vents on recycle. Not noticeable driving along. Mystifed at what is source of smell and how it gets into car (am very careful about keeping windows up before car is started).

no wet carpet, no coolant loss, oil is clean and free of coolant. Brakes work ok. No loss of engine power. Fuel economy seems ok. Possible heater prob? Or is is that cat converter or leaky exhaust? It is nasty smell that gets to back of throat quickly.

Your advice appreciated.

1 Reply

TED-E-DEE

MECHANIC
109 POSTS

You mentioned you thought coolant dripping on exaust, if it smells like coolant you can ck. Under pass. Compartment dash to see if there is coolant dripping from heater core. Even if you don't notice a coolant loss, could be a small leak. Also ck. For debris inside heater blower motor case. Have A/C? If not have A/C, it will be easy to ck. By pulling vent out b-tween blower & heater core. I can tell you I have removed hundreds of mouse nests from this area. They seem to Like Hondas &Toyotas ! There have been several cases of Cat. Converters on Hondas also, that stands out to me especially when you mention "rotten egg" smell. I'm curious how your tech can tell by looking that it is not coming from converter. Could just be something I don't know. How far appart was he able to take it? Good Luck ! Ted-e-d P.S, don't rule out something falling down defroster duct.