Car exhause smell is furnace is dangerous! Does your furnace smell like car exhaust?
The furnace smells like car exhaust because of the accumulated dirt, dust, and different metals or plastics. These materials get burned into the furnace and create gases like CO, CO2, SO2, etc., resulting in car exhaust smells.
Cracked components, seasonal humidity, leakage, contamination intake, or even mold can cause furnaces smell like car exhaust and create a bad odor in the house. You should take necessary steps to solve the problem. Otherwise, your entire room can smell like car exhaust.
We will tell you how exactly can you resolve all the problems. Keep reading.
Is it dangerous if the furnace smells like car exhaust?
Yes, it is dangerous if the furnace smells like car exhaust. According to Laura.com, the furnace smells like car exhaust because it contains many gasses, such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOX), and carbon dioxide (CO2). These gasses are very harmful to our health.
“CO2” is its heavy smell and toxic effects. The furnace emits these foul odors. Many people can’t tolerate this smell. CO2 gas is dangerous for our health because it causes very fatal diseases. Carbon monoxide (CO) is poisonous to our health because it limits our breathing capability.
When any human absorbs odors from furnaces, he can feel sick because of different diseases such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, shortness of breath, blurred vision, and loss of consciousness. In the worst-case scenario, that man could die because of it.
Why Does My Furnace Smell Like Car Exhaust?
These can be the reasons for your furnace smelling like car exhaust.
The inner component gets cracked.
The furnace body may look all right, but its inner components may get damaged because of age issues.
In that case, the furnace’s heat transfer system doesn’t work correctly and decreases its efficiency.
As a result, gasses like formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, etc., get created and cause odors that can smell like car exhaust.
The humid environment
The furnace can be placed in a wet area in the user’s house, or the climate of that area can be humid. Both can cause the moisture in the air to settle in that unit.
After that, when the user turns on the moisture, the humidity in the air starts to burn, creating a wet smell. Though it’s not harmful, the odor gets resolved after the furnace runs for some time.
Off-season dust and dirt
The furnaces are usually burned in the winter and turned off in the summer. In this off-season, dust and dirt may be gathered in it as it is not used. When users turn on the furnace, it starts burning dust and dirt. That’s why it can smell like car exhaust.
When gasses begin to leak
The furnace can be turned on by burning natural gas. These natural gasses are handled with sulfur dioxide, which smells like rotten eggs if it gets leaked. It is a hazardous odor, so the house owners should immediately leave and contact an HVAC technician to solve this matter.
Because of intake contamination
Some modified furnaces are structured to intake air from the outside contaminated with different gasses, odors, or dirt. When burned, these chemicals can create odors that smell like car exhaust.
When molds are created in the furnace
As mentioned above, if the area where the furnace is kept is humid, it may create odors. However, humidity is also a cause of mold, which can breathe different gasses like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc. When these gasses are burned, they can create a smell like car exhaust.
When the gas outlet is blocked
The gas created inside the furnaces is gotten out through an outlet. This outlet can be a passage or a pipe, which can get blocked when it is not cleaned regularly. That’s why dirt or dust may gather in it. This dirt and dust may create odors that smell like car exhaust.
What to do if your furnace smells like car exhaust
You should follow these steps if your furnace smells like car exhaust.
The gas outlet may get broken because of age issues. So check its condition regularly. If there is a crack, close it with a small amount of moldable sealant. If the gap is too big, change the pipe with the help of a professional.
Change the direction of the outside air.
Outside air inside the furnace can create a smell like car exhaust. So try to change the air circulation system of that room. Turn off your windows and doors when the wind is blowing too fast.
Remove all the rust
Airprohawaii says it is essential to remove all the rust inside the furnace because different metals can create different types of gas.
To do it, take a wire brush.
Use it on all the rusty areas.
Hold a mineral spirit sprayer and spray it on all those spots.
After that, clean the rusty pipe in the same process.
Coat the pipe with zinc-galvanized spray paint.
Now let the furnace dry for a couple of hours.
Cleaning the dust
Here is the process of cleaning dust.
To begin with, identify the source of the gas shortage.
Now use a screwdriver to open the pipe located in the venting area.
Remove all the dirt and debris from there.
You may use a brush or soft cloth to clean more efficiently.
Now use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum the area.
After that, check the furnace for any kind of blockage.
Use a screwdriver to turn off the pipe in the vent.
What does furnace exhaust smell like other than car exhaust?
Here are the main reasons.
Burnt smell
These odors are created when the furnace hasn’t been used for a long time. It usually happens because of the off-season. The dust and dirt get gathered inside it, and when the user turns on the furnace, it creates a burning smell.
Oil smells
Usually, oil-powered furnaces create this type of smell. When someone pours more oil than necessary, the extra oil remains inside the furnaces.
After that, if the user turns on the furnace, the temperature inside it starts burning the oil slowly. As a result, it requires more time to completely burn the oil and thus create this type of smell.
Rotten egg odor
This type of smell is created in gas furnaces. Usually, these furnaces use natural gas or propane to run, which doesn’t make any odor or color.
However, when the gas starts leaking somehow, these gasses create a chemical named methyl mercaptan, which doesn’t have any color but smells like rotten eggs.
This smell clearly means danger, so the house owners should immediately leave the house and contact a professional.
Metallic smell
These smells are created when the furnace components are all made from metals like aluminum, magnesium, iron, etc.
The gas inside the furnace starts reacting with those metals and creates different gasses like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, cloro-floro-carbon, etc.
The smell of burning plastic
The furnace’s inner component can be made with plastic or cardboard, which can start dissolving when the furnace’s heat is not adequately controlled.
Thus, the plastics inside it start burning and creating different types of gas, like sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, nitric oxide, etc., which have an intense odor.
How to prevent your furnace from smelling like car exhaust
Follow the steps below to prevent the furnace from smelling like car exahuse.
Keep your furnace clean: Regular cleaning can help prevent the buildup of debris that could contribute to the exhaust-like smell.
Check the air filter: A clogged air filter can reduce the efficiency of your furnace and cause it to produce unusual odors, so make sure to check and replace your air filter as needed.
Keep your home ventilated: Proper ventilation is essential for maintaining good indoor air quality and can help reduce the concentration of any odors emitted by your furnace.
Schedule regular maintenance: Routine inspections and maintenance of your furnace can help identify and address any potential issues before they become bigger problems.
Avoid using chemicals near your furnace: Chemicals, such as cleaning products or paint, can emit fumes that can be drawn into your furnace and cause it to produce unpleasant smells.
Use high-quality fuel: Using high-quality fuel, such as premium-grade oil or gas, can help reduce the production of odors and improve the efficiency of your furnace.
Install a carbon monoxide detector: A carbon monoxide detector can help alert you to any potential issues with your furnace that may be producing harmful gases, including carbon monoxide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s check out some FAQs related to the smells.
How can I tell if the smell coming from my furnace is car exhaust?
If the smell coming from your furnace is car exhaust, it may smell like gasoline or have a burnt odor. You may also notice a yellow or orange flame instead of a blue flame in your furnace.
Should I turn off my furnace if it smells like car exhaust?
Yes, you should turn off your furnace if it smells like car exhaust. This can help prevent carbon monoxide from leaking into your home.
Can a furnace that smells like car exhaust cause carbon monoxide poisoning?
Yes, a furnace that smells like car exhaust can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly in high concentrations.
Is it safe to continue using my furnace if it smells like car exhaust?
No, it’s not safe to continue using your furnace if it smells like car exhaust. You should turn off your furnace and have it inspected by a professional HVAC technician.
How often should I have my furnace inspected to prevent it from smelling like car exhaust?
You should have your furnace inspected by a professional HVAC technician at least once a year to prevent it from smelling like car exhaust.
Can a clogged air filter cause my furnace to smell like car exhaust?
A clogged air filter can cause your furnace to smell like car exhaust. It can also cause your furnace to overheat and shut down.
Is it necessary to call a professional if my furnace smells like car exhaust?
Yes, it’s necessary to call a professional if your furnace smells like car exhaust. A professional HVAC technician can safely diagnose and repair the issue.
Will my homeowner’s insurance cover any damages caused by a furnace that smells like car exhaust?
It depends on your specific insurance policy and the cause of the damage. In general, most homeowner’s insurance policies will cover damages caused by a malfunctioning furnace, but it’s important to review your policy and speak with your insurance provider to confirm coverage.
How long will it take for a professional to fix my furnace if it smells like car exhaust?
The length of time it takes to repair a furnace that smells like car exhaust will vary depending on the cause of the issue and the extent of the damage. In some cases, repairs may be completed within a few hours, while more complex repairs may take several days. Your HVAC technician will be able to provide an estimate of the timeline for repairs once they have diagnosed the problem.
Conclusion
The furnace increases the heat of the house in the winter season. But if the furnace smells like car exhaust, it harms the house members. These smells are caused by different gasses like CO2, CO, NO2, and SO2 created in the furnace.
They can cause various types of diseases in the human body. So if you get any odor from the furnace, clean it yourself or with the help of a professional.
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