My car stinks!
02-13-2010 | 11:49 AM
#21
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts, USA
My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
02-13-2010 | 04:53 PM
#22
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,084
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From: Thousand Oaks, California
My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
03-23-2010 | 10:42 AM
#25
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 123
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From: UK
My Ride: E61 545i Sport Touring
Try Comma Airconditioning Cleaner from Halfords. Cured my smelly socks stink (which was stronger when in recirculation mode) that came with my second hand car.
Not much use if you're not in the UK but there must be other similar products available. Basically it's an aerosol that you set off in the car with aircon on recirc and all closed up. It's supposed to kill off the bacteria that cause the smell.
Not much use if you're not in the UK but there must be other similar products available. Basically it's an aerosol that you set off in the car with aircon on recirc and all closed up. It's supposed to kill off the bacteria that cause the smell.
03-24-2010 | 06:48 AM
#26
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Could it be that your particulate filter is nearing its service life? In that case the DPF regenerates quite often and amongst others through the higher temperature burns is prone to creating some awful smells inside the car, been there. It usually happens right after ignition or within the first handful of miles...
Only problem with this scenario is that the smell is clearly fuel based / chemical, not easily associated with a decomposing animal or the likes.
Maybe in your case it does smell particularly foul?
Hope you find the cause soon
Only problem with this scenario is that the smell is clearly fuel based / chemical, not easily associated with a decomposing animal or the likes.
Maybe in your case it does smell particularly foul?
Hope you find the cause soon
03-24-2010 | 09:12 AM
#27
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03-25-2010 | 11:23 AM
#28
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 238
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From: Barnsley, UK
My Ride: 2010(60) BMW 520d SE, Manual, In Sophisto Grey with Cream/Black Interior and Piano Black trim
This is abit of a long shot, but when i had the astra, prior to the e60, i had a terrible smell coming in through the vents, the worst thing i've ever smelt 
, after the car had been parked for around 3 weeks. After scrubbing every filter, and cleaning all vents etc, it resulted in me actually sniffing the whole engine bay!
Long story short, sniffed next to the screen wash bottle, and there was the culprit. The water in the bottle had gone stale, and to date, i've never smelt anything as bad in my life.
Might be worth flushing out the screen wash resevoir if all else fails...
, after the car had been parked for around 3 weeks. After scrubbing every filter, and cleaning all vents etc, it resulted in me actually sniffing the whole engine bay!Long story short, sniffed next to the screen wash bottle, and there was the culprit. The water in the bottle had gone stale, and to date, i've never smelt anything as bad in my life.
Might be worth flushing out the screen wash resevoir if all else fails...
03-25-2010 | 12:21 PM
#29
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 73
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From: USA, NC
My Ride: 530i 2006 model w/ Nav
Thanks for replies so far. There's nothing in the car. No kids and it's as clean as a whistle. It's definately through the vents and only just after I've set off.
Not sure how something could have died and gone off so quick? Ok at 8am, but stinks by 1pm? If anything, you'd think you'd get a nice BBQ cooking smell from a roasting mouse etc not a stink?! I will take another look in daylight tomorrow.
Could something related to power steering (low speed manouvering when setting off) be a cause?
Thanks.
Ian.
Not sure how something could have died and gone off so quick? Ok at 8am, but stinks by 1pm? If anything, you'd think you'd get a nice BBQ cooking smell from a roasting mouse etc not a stink?! I will take another look in daylight tomorrow.
Could something related to power steering (low speed manouvering when setting off) be a cause?
Thanks.
Ian.
This may be a long shot but I saw something similar on a car show I watch (MotorWeek). They covered a similar topic a few episodes ago...... do you have a pet? If so do you keep dog food in your garage? Rodents will get a piece of the dog food and then crawl somewhere in your car to store it and eat it. Maybe this happened and it ended up dying in your car. Like I said....this could be a long shot. The episode went on to explain if you keep pet food in your garage it should be stored in a metal storage cabinet.
Hope this helps,
Will
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