Why does my car smell when reversing?

Question

My car has a strange problem in that if I reverse, I nearly always get a horrible smell (like cabbage or rotting food). The faster I reverse, the worse the smell gets. For example, if I do a 3-point turn fast, the smell is very strong!

I have searched online for an answer but can't seem to find anything!?!

Thanks for the prompt replies so far.

The fumes don't smell of exhaust fumes, it's literally like rotting food?! The smell is actually worse if you're outside the car (although you can smell it inside).

I had the clutch replaced a year / 2 ago so I am hoping it isn't this. Maybe an animal has crawled inside the exhaust and died lol?!?

Answer 1

I had this problem with my car... its the fumes being produced from the catalytic converter re-entering the engine chamber. i.e. you are reversing back into the fumes.
There's no way to overcome it but newer cars dont seem to have this problem as much.
Also, the fumes have been 'converted' so in small doses pose no threat to health.

Answer 2

Your car doesn't just smell when reversing, it'll smell all the time, but you only smell when reversing as some exhaust fumes are coming into the car, instead of being left behind. The smell is probably from the catalytic converter, which can smell slightly eggy, especially when the car's still quite new.

Answer 3

It might be your clutch. Most people dont fully engange the clutch when reversing which causes the clutch plates to slip. The smell will be from metal grinding metal at very high speeds.

Although you may feel that you are not in as much control, you should try to raise your clutch pedal fully when you are reversing, the same as you would in first gear.

Answer 4

It will probably be the smell from your catalytic convertor.

if you are getting fumes in the car, get your exhaust system checked out as it is dangerous to inhale the fumes..... Any headaches yet...?

The fumes are not blown away from you when you are reversing, which is why you are getting the smell inside your car.

Answer 5

It could be your catalytic converter(filters exhaust emissions),if the car is not used often or the cat converter is worn then you get a smell simular to rotten eggs.As for reversing, I suspect you only notice it then because you are driving 'into the smell'.Try getting somebody to follow you, especially when accelerating, to see if they smell it as well.

Answer 6

is it the fumes out of the exhaust, when you go back they are forced to go forward to the front of the car!

i dont know! never heard of it before!

Answer 7

i think of you spoke back your guy or woman question. you're probable over reving and slipping the take carry of burning the take carry of discs which finally will injury the take carry of and you will could replace it. an identical element could be happening on the line too however the scent isn't as great because of the fact which you're pulling away quicker from the spot you engaged the take carry of and the air bypass below the motor vehicle dissipates the burning scent.

Answer 8

Could be your CAT (catalytic converter) or the clutch is slipping

Answer 9

what are you reversing over??

I would suggest taking it (in forward gear preferably) to a garage a.s.a.p. before the problem becomes more expensive to fix

Answer 10

The faster you drive, the more oil u consume..... if the car's age too old, the engine may be old too.... u need to send your car for check up..... use too old engine, may have danger in causing fire too.....
The petrol u use, it is not advise to use all kinds of petrol, should stick to one kind, this can prolong your car's life!!!