| Author | Message | ||
     Adam Ross (Discodriveradam) Member Username: Discodriveradam Post Number: 55 Registered: 01-2003 |
For the last couple of days my 98 D1 has smelled like nasty decomposing trash. I checked that obvious, making sure there weren't any bananas stuck under the seat or something like that, and then I realiazed that the smell is coming from my vents. I thought maybe the cats, but don't know why it would come through the vents. It smells awful, and it's driving me insane. Can anyone clue me in on why this is happening? It's so bad that no one would ride with me while we were wheeling today. | ||
| Craig Edmonds (Porkchop) New Member Username: Porkchop Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2002 |
Have you had the interior cleaned lately... steamed or shampooed? If so the rubber mat under the cloth liner in the back may still be damp. Under the rubber mat is like a spunge, and will take a while to dry out. This may be where the smell is comming from... maybe!? It can all be removed with little effort. I had a funky smell also... and this fixed it... Good luck. | ||
| Sabine Dawn (Sabine_dawn) New Member Username: Sabine_dawn Post Number: 6 Registered: 04-2003 |
Does anything under the hood look burnt or smoldering while running? If it's coming through the vents its probably coming from the engine (assuming you are running straight through air? Simple test is to unroll the windows, siwtch to recycled air, give it a few to get the bad smell out and see if it keeps going). If the smell is still there when you switch to the recycled air then it could be something in the heater core or vent system (dead rat?  ) SD | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1351 Registered: 02-2002 |
Sounds like plugged air conditioner condensate drains. | ||
| Chad Mayes (Cmayes) New Member Username: Cmayes Post Number: 16 Registered: 04-2003 |
SD might be right I worked in a shop years ago and I guy brought in a Saab that's blower motor/vent system had been turned into a mouse hotel during winter storage. Smelled so bad you had to hold your breath to pull it into the garage. The heating system had to be completely pulled and soaked in disinfectant for a few days. | ||
| Sabine Dawn (Sabine_dawn) New Member Username: Sabine_dawn Post Number: 8 Registered: 04-2003 |
Paul, If the drains are plugged, does that normally give off a bad smell from the vents? I've luckly never had plugged drains but I thought it just let water out into the passenger footwell. Doesn't seem like that would cause a "decomposing trash" smell like Adam described. Bad mildew smell, yes, but probably not trashy. SD | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1355 Registered: 02-2002 |
Depends. If the ducts fill up with water, it can become septic. I was suggesting something relatively easy to fix! Peace, Paul | ||
| David T (David_t) New Member Username: David_t Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2003 |
Usually caused by blocked A/C drain pipes Use a long screwdriver to push up into 2 pipes protruding on either size of underside of transmission hump. Have a small cap that blocks up with mud and /or dust Usual sign is lack of waterdripping onto ground after using A/C After a few days the smell usually disappears as carpet dries out | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Senior Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2132 Registered: 02-2002 |
The ones I've encountered: Soured AC - I didn't use mine all winter the first winter, and when I turned it on it stunk... I just ran it regularly from then on, and it didn't smell anymore. (Also happened to unclog the AC drains, too, don't know if it was connected or not). Rear carpet - The rear door seal on the wife's is weak, and occasionally her rear carpet in the cargo area gets soaked and starts to have the wet-dog smell if it isn't dried out. Need to replace that sometime before long... FWIW... -L | ||
| Tony Kronkaitis (Gremlin) New Member Username: Gremlin Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2002 |
I know some people who had mice move into their vents, and another who had one die in it and that one stunk until we were able to pull it out. | ||
| Ian Kreidich (Ian95rrc) New Member Username: Ian95rrc Post Number: 16 Registered: 03-2003 |
You may have mold in your vents or AC. A product called friggie (SP?) fresh will get rid of it if thats the case. Just spray it into the intake vents with the AC and fan on full. | ||
| Adam Ross (Discodriveradam) Member Username: Discodriveradam Post Number: 57 Registered: 01-2003 |
Thanks for the ideas guys. Paul, I drained the plugs, still smelly, so I don't think that's the problem. Also, it's not an interior water problem, as my carpet has been thoroughly dried (I pulled it up to check). I highly doubt that there are any rodents taking shelter in my Pig, as it gets daily use and is stored in a well-kept garage, but I will check. | ||
| Sabine Dawn (Sabine_dawn) New Member Username: Sabine_dawn Post Number: 10 Registered: 04-2003 |
Adam, If it's not coming from the engine, it could be some other small critter that liked the heat of the heater core. I have found spider nests in my door jambs from time to time. Something small like that could have got roasted on the core and just hasn't burned off. I'd check the engine first though since it's a lot easier. SD | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 94 Registered: 10-2002 |
Some other possible suggestions:- Get a pussy cat. This will get ride of the mice problem. Prehaps use a good body deodourant. LOL | ||
| Paul Long (Humveewannabe) New Member Username: Humveewannabe Post Number: 28 Registered: 03-2003 |
When my AC drains were plugged, the vents were musty unless the AC was on. By running the AC and getting the vents good and cold, see if the smell dissipates. If it does, at least you know it's in the vent system. Lysol sprayed in the blower intake with the fan on may mist it through the system to kill the growing goodies. I used the "linen fresh" scent so it didn't smell like an animal hospital. | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 87 Registered: 02-2003 |
With clear a/c drains and also heater fan clear of all the mouse nest, turn fan on, spray lysol into intake. | ||
| Ian Kreidich (Ian95rrc) New Member Username: Ian95rrc Post Number: 17 Registered: 03-2003 |
Frigi Fresh will smell alot better than lysol. It's designed specificly for this task. http://www.bgprod.com/autoair.html | ||
| Michael Krupey (Discostoo) New Member Username: Discostoo Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2003 |
depending how severe the smell, I believe it's a mouse as well. It unfortunately will stay around for a while (couple of months). | ||
| trevor griffiths (Trevorgriffiths) Member Username: Trevorgriffiths Post Number: 87 Registered: 11-2002 |
I have had more than one mouse nest in the heaterfan.There is no screen over the intake under the cowl. Does the blower motor seem noisy or vibrate heavily? It is very easy to remove the fan motor assembly on the DI. Under the passangers side dash, remove the cardboard panela nd locate the black metal round shape approx 8" diameter. Three bolts and one harness connector. Friggy fresh works really well, as does febreze on the carpets. |
