bad car smell....HELP!!!

[CH812]

Lately when im inside my car and i turn on the A/C i get an appalling odour that comes out of the vents. Yesterday i had a guest in my car and when they mentioned the smell to me i was so embarrassed and i finally want to get to the root of it..

I heard a story before and im not sure if its an urban legend or not, but its about a cat that crawled up into a car's air filter where it died, sending a bad odour throughout the cars ventilation system. Well i checked my air filter and there was nothing there so could there be a dead animal anywhere else in my cars ventilation system??

Anyone have any other possible ideas of what the root of the smell could be or where its coming from? I dont need no wise ass comments here just real honest help please!!!

 

[james t kirk]

Most likely mould in the AC evapourator.

The evapourators are contstantly wet, they trap dust and dirt, spores, pollen etc. by their design.

Combine that with moisture, darkness, you have the perfect environment for moulds to grow.

I read once that if you operate your AC, you should turn it off a few minutes from home and let the air pass over the fins of the evapourator to dry it.

I have personally seen evapourators removed from cars that are disgustingly filthy.

Whether or not that is your problem however, I don't know.

 

[great bear]

If its a strong sulphur (rotten egg) odour it is probably your catalytic converter. If the smell is persistent take the car in for repairs. Generally the bad odour is not persistent. Hope this helps.

 

[great bear]

CH182, since I gave you a serious answer I think I am entitled to also add a non serious reply.

Was Fang or Eye your passenger in the car when you initially noticed the terrible smell inside your auto?

 

[Keebler Elf]

It is possible to have small animals crawl up into the engine (usually at night) and then get chewed up when you start the car in the morning. Usually when it's cold out.

Bad news is that I saw a TV show where they tested the urban legend that you can never get rid of the smell of a dead body from inside a car and it was true! The corpse leaks oils into the interior of the car that can never been gotten rid of.

So check your engine. An engine shampoo might be all you need if it's not mold in the vents or something.

 

[svtcobra]

All of James answer is correct. I don't know what make and model of the car you have but certain gm cars have another filter under the hood for the ac/heating ducts. It is weird, but I know what you're talking about. As soon as you put it on you can smell it, then it goes away. The filter is very dirty, and full dust, dirt, etc etc.. Now this isn't the regular air filter that I'm talking about. It is a different type of filter that is usually in the dash and some under the hood area.

As memory recalls it was an Alero that I've seen this happend in before.

Most likely mould in the AC evapourator.

The evapourators are contstantly wet, they trap dust and dirt, spores, pollen etc. by their design.

Combine that with moisture, darkness, you have the perfect environment for moulds to grow.

I read once that if you operate your AC, you should turn it off a few minutes from home and let the air pass over the fins of the evapourator to dry it.

I have personally seen evapourators removed from cars that are disgustingly filthy.

Whether or not that is your problem however, I don't know.

 

[ricflairjuniour]

Go to Canadian Tire and ask for an a/c cleaner. Spray it into your evaporator and then run your heating at full blast for 10 minutes. It kills most of the bacteria in your system.

 

[blackdog]

Stop Farting!

 

[pussylicker]

Lately when im inside my car and i turn on the A/C i get an appalling odour that comes out of the vents. Yesterday i had a guest in my car and when they mentioned the smell to me i was so embarrassed and i finally want to get to the root of it..

I heard a story before and im not sure if its an urban legend or not, but its about a cat that crawled up into a car's air filter where it died, sending a bad odour throughout the cars ventilation system. Well i checked my air filter and there was nothing there so could there be a dead animal anywhere else in my cars ventilation system??

Anyone have any other possible ideas of what the root of the smell could be or where its coming from? I dont need no wise ass comments here just real honest help please!!!

Watch the Sienfeld episode about his car having a bad odour.

The cars air filter is for the engine, and cats are too big to get into the ducting for the air filter. A mouse or chipmunk, squirrel could have died in your passenger air intake. But most likely it's mould.

 

[Daddio]

This may sound far fetched - but in some older cars, when the automatic transmission fluid leaks into the radiator it creates a terrible stench like something died. Check your antifreeze for a reddish hue. Check your transmission oil for an orange tint or low level.

 

[feminista]

my car reeks of raccoon piss.

I'll get used to it.

 

[great bear]

my car reeks of raccoon piss.

I'll get used to it.

I know I shouldn't ask this but: what are raccoons doing in your car? Barrie area is famous for wild life but your supposed to leave them outside.

 

[feminista]

it isn't in it. it's on it.

2 of them live in the loft in my garage. they occasionally pee on my car. i can still smell it as i exit the car wash.

if anyone knows how to remove the smell please let me know. I have no plans to evict them as they leave on their own in the fall.

 

[rama putri]

Someones been watching Jerry Seinfeld too much.

 

[goodtime]

Go to Canadian Tire and ask for an a/c cleaner. Spray it into your evaporator and then run your heating at full blast for 10 minutes. It kills most of the bacteria in your system.

Exactly. Mildew/bacteria doesn't get a chance to build up if A/C use often but given our climate, not feasible.

 

[zzap]

This is what RV net says...


This is a common problem that customers complain about in many different types of vehicles. The first component to check is the air conditioner drain. This eliminates condensation that forms when the air conditioner is used. If the drain is clear, there is a procedure that can be performed to disinfect the air conditioner's evaporator and help eliminate this odor. Alot of cars do it.....just run the blower on high (no AC on) for 5 - 10 minutes before you park it for the night and that usually helps get the moiture out.....it might still stink at first when you turn it on the next day but not as bad.....also, keep air flowing thru the system whenever possible even when the AC is off (i.e. put selector on the non-AC position). If you live in a really humid climate, an after blow kit might be the only option....it keeps the blower on 10 minutes after you shut the unit off. Also, try Ultrashield A/C order eliminator for $15.95 can plus s/h. Here is the web site:
http://www.ultrashield.com/
Hope this helps!

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

If it is a rotten rag smell......................

Then this would indicate that this is left over moisture from condensation in your AC system. To get rid of this smell turn on you vent fan full blast with you car ignition on, (AC off) an spray half a can of Lysol into the vent holes that are near th wind sheild wiper blades on you car (exterior)
Turn of the car and let it settle for about an hour. Then turn your car on with the vent fan motor turned on high for 10 minutes to evaporate the Lysol.
Then take your car for a drive with the windows open and the fan motor on high. This should solve your problem.

 

[Pedro Sanchez]

When you cars fAN/AC is OFF pour baby powder into the vents. When you do this let it sit for 5 minutes then crank the fan. This should help get rid of your problem. I find that you have to put alot of Baby powder, half or sometimes a full bottle in order to get rid of the smell completely.

Good Luck

 

[great bear]

it isn't in it. it's on it.

2 of them live in the loft in my garage. they occasionally pee on my car. i can still smell it as i exit the car wash.

if anyone knows how to remove the smell please let me know. I have no plans to evict them as they leave on their own in the fall.

Feminista, spray the affected area with Fabreeze. If that does not have any effect pm me and we can spend three or four hours washing your car etc.

 

[35mm]

Air filter for the engine is for the air to the engine not the cabin.

You need to change then "Cabin air filter"
Most new cars have them.

Check with dealer for location and frequency of change.

Did mine at 95K and it was filthy.

Good luck!