Do you smell that?
07-11-2007, 06:35 PM
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This is very strange... and I hope some of you get a laugh out of it (I don't find it funny 
)
The past few days have been extremely hot around here and I've had four seperate people get into my 545 and notice the same smell. They all said they smelled pickels and we narrowed the smell to the back seats. I've completely torn the car apart looking for anything that might be causing this (I never eat or let anyone eat in my car). They only thing I can think of is that maybe the battery under the backseat is leaking or something and is causing a sweet odor that some people liken to pickels???
Anyone had the same problem? I miss my clean BMW leather smell and it's really embarrasing to have people get in your car and tell you it smells bad.
Help?
)The past few days have been extremely hot around here and I've had four seperate people get into my 545 and notice the same smell. They all said they smelled pickels and we narrowed the smell to the back seats. I've completely torn the car apart looking for anything that might be causing this (I never eat or let anyone eat in my car). They only thing I can think of is that maybe the battery under the backseat is leaking or something and is causing a sweet odor that some people liken to pickels???
Anyone had the same problem? I miss my clean BMW leather smell and it's really embarrasing to have people get in your car and tell you it smells bad.
Help?
07-11-2007, 07:24 PM
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You've also eliminated the musky odor that comes from the A/C unit as well? This is mildew in the vents and it reeks if you turn the A/C off while driving the car. That's why I almost always run with the A/C on except during short excursions on the highway where I need all the horses.
07-11-2007, 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by vegastrashed' post='446521' date='Jul 11 2007, 11:24 PM
You've also eliminated the musky odor that comes from the A/C unit as well? This is mildew in the vents and it reeks if you turn the A/C off while driving the car. That's why I almost always run with the A/C on except during short excursions on the highway where I need all the horses.
It was a funny sight. I had people all around my car sniffing different spots. This is driving me insane!
07-11-2007, 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='446515' date='Jul 11 2007, 11:11 PM
A leaking battery smells more like sulfur, not like pickles. You sure there aren't any pickles in the back seat? 
I've looked everywhere and the funny factor is wearing off.
07-11-2007, 09:46 PM
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You might have a small animal that has crawled up in some nook in your car and died. And is now rotting away. I have heard of it happening a number of times. Not sure if it would smell like pickles though.
07-12-2007, 05:13 AM
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Yes, I have checked the trunk. I've taken everything that isn't bolted to the car out in a futile attempt to identify the source.
I was thinking the same thing. I think I'm going to get my car up on a lift and check the rear wheel well, but the thing is that you can't really smell anything from the outside.
Thank you everyone for all your help and ideas.
Originally Posted by JetBlack5OC' post='446600' date='Jul 12 2007, 01:46 AM
You might have a small animal that has crawled up in some nook in your car and died. And is now rotting away. I have heard of it happening a number of times. Not sure if it would smell like pickles though.
Thank you everyone for all your help and ideas.
07-12-2007, 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by JetBlack5OC' post='446600' date='Jul 12 2007, 01:46 AM
You might have a small animal that has crawled up in some nook in your car and died. And is now rotting away. I have heard of it happening a number of times. Not sure if it would smell like pickles though.
If pickles smelled like that, I'd suspect their popularity would wane significantly.
07-12-2007, 08:54 AM
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My Ride: E46 330, E60 550 on order: Carbon Black/Natural Brown, 6MT.
One more idea:
Take a look in the tracks that the front seat moves on. There are several small spaces where a stray gherkin might hide.
In addition, I think there are rear seat vents under the seats, which may be enticing the rear seat occupants with "that new pickle smell."
Take a look in the tracks that the front seat moves on. There are several small spaces where a stray gherkin might hide.
In addition, I think there are rear seat vents under the seats, which may be enticing the rear seat occupants with "that new pickle smell."