Smells like dead rodent or rotten whatever! Help! Where can it be coming from, please give me ideas!Can I spray water into car engine to rinse?Help please!!
There was probably a cat or other rodent under the hood to keep warm. Notice I said was. You can mist the engine with it running and warm, just don't spray battery, exhaust manifold, ignition components or anything that resembles a computer. Chanced are whatever it was, it was near or on the exhaust system, look there. You may have to scrape crispy critter off with putty knife.
with such a strong smell have you followed steps such as . open hood visually check around engine bay and especially the exhaust system for a dead animal or some foreign object jammed in there? also have a peek ( hands and knees job +torch?) at a bit further down exhaust system as it may simply be part of an animal caught up under the lower exhaust system near catalytic converter etc. these get really hot and will vaporise any tissue attached or cook any tissue in close proximity. Failing no visual faults you may want to clean engine bay and especially exhaust system.( externally only) here there are one or two things you need ot be careful with if using water under any pressure or even from a hose! avoid obvious areas such as alternator, air intake,plug connections and any 'black' box type of electronics you find. vehicles these days do not like water ingress in most systems as voltages are measured in very low changes such as 0-5 volts or even millivolts for a sensor in exhaust system. do not try and start an engine for at least 10-15 Min's after washing to allow for drainage and water to dry off which considerably reduces problems with after effects. bearing in mind a modern car will have been extensively tested for use in very wet conditions .road spray etc. No real worries then about water 'spray' ( not harsh) under a hood. do also have a peek at fluid levels etc a steer is a possibility that it may simply be a fluid leak onto a hot exhaust giving off really bad smells such as power steering Fluid! If unable to pinpoint the problem do get a few Friends to assist and last resort of course will be a friendly garage. in short use common sense and avoid water ingress into electrical areas. if in doubtleave it alone!
Please listen hamster. If there is no obvious animal entrails (guts and skin) inside the engine compartment, air cleaner housing or cabin air filter it's perfectly OK to do the following: Take your car to the local wand type car wash lift the hood, switch the knob to soap and start feeding quarters. I've been soap spray washing engines and complete compartments 48 years. Never had an engine not start or cause damage. Those who say you shouldn't do it for some weak excuse have never tried it! It works like a charm!
