I have a 2003 WRX and I have had it for about 6 months. I have been noticing a sweet smell for about the past 2-3 months. I smell it more when I accelerate hard and it seems to only do it when I have my AC on. I am not sure what it is. It is not a bad smell it is just a little sweet. I have not changed any fluids other then oil and not a lot mods right now. My mods are: Greddy intake, PDE downpipe, Tanabe Exhaust, ZeroSports intake pipe and shroud, all others are suspension and looks. Any help would be great.

 

Check your coolant levels and check to see if there are any bubbles in there while the car is on.

 

Are you getting a greasy film on the inside of the front window too? Like he said that's a symptom of a coolant leak. The fumes are toxic, it could be your heater core.

 

I checked my coolant levels and they are fine. I don't have any greasy film on my front windows so I don't think I have a coolant leak. I don't know about the heater core. This thing is just driving me crazy not knowing what it is. I think I many call the dealer and see what they think. I most likely will have to take it to them and let them see what the problem is. The car still under warranty but dealer is a hour way and if I could fix it my self I would rather do that.