Q & A #32 With The Auto Specialist
Q & A #32 With The Auto Specialist
Before we get started with today’s segment of the Auto Specialist, I’d like to get something off my chest. For those of you who have been reading this column from the beginning, what I’m about to say won’t surprise you. Consider it a reminder. On the other hand, new readers need to hear this:
When you replace parts and components that have failed, you should be investing in OEM replacements. I have lost count of the number of times people have told me they have bought rebuilt parts that failed soon after driving away from the repair garage. OEM parts cost more, but they’re far more reliable. This is important and I’ll likely mention it again in the future.
With that out of the way, let’s dig into today’s car questions. Jonathan has written in to ask about a rotten smell coming from his Passat. We’ll also help Tony decide whether he should buy a used Accord without the maintenance paperwork.
Question: Love the column and hope you can help. I have a 2004 Volkswagen Passat with 68,500 miles on the odometer. Lately, I’ve noticed that when I’m cruising at highway speed (65 mph or above), my car puts out a rotten smell. It smells like I have bad eggs with me in the cabin. It’s embarrassing when friends are with me. Any idea what might be causing the problem? I wanted to check with you before taking my car to the dealership (they’d probably want to replace everything).
Answer: Thanks for writing, Jonathan. Because you’re smelling that odor at high speeds, I’m guessing the problem is the fuel and air mixture. When the mix is richer than it should be, it can produce an odor that smells like eggs that have turned bad. There’s a chance that your catalytic converter may have failed. However, before having it replaced (they’re expensive), ask a mechanic to check the fuel-air mix. If it’s too rich, correcting it should get rid of the smell.
Question: A couple days ago, I came across a 2000 Honda Accord that the owner is selling for a great price. It has 105,640 miles on it, looks clean, and I’m thinking about buying it. The problem is that the seller doesn’t have all of the maintenance records. He has some, but they’re spotty. So, I can’t tell if he’s gotten the oil changed regularly or when other items have been done. He claims that he has followed the service schedule in the owner’s manual to a “T,” but can’t prove it. Would you buy the car if you were in my position?
Answer: Thanks for your email, Tony. To your question, no. I wouldn’t buy the car. At least, I wouldn’t buy it with any expectations. The thing is, service records are incredibly easy to retrieve because they’re kept on computers. Even if he lost the receipts over the years, he can still retrieve them. All it takes (usually) is to contact the dealership or service garages at which he’s had the work done. Call me a cynic, but if he can’t produce the records, I would assume he hasn’t had the work performed.
That’s it for now. My thanks to Jonathan and Tony for writing in with their questions. For those of you who have emailed me asking when I’m planning to address your own questions, I promise to get to them. I have a large backlog, but we’re making progress. Be sure to join back next time when we tackle a few new car problems. Until then, drive safely.
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Tags: Car Answers, Car Q & A, Car Q and A
