Car smells funny

[desura]

My car smells. Bought it used, still can't get rid of the smell.

I've tried everything. I've cleaned it out multiple times, wiped down the surfaces, I've bought air odorizers, I've tried using charcoal and coffee grounds to absorb smells, I've even set a dehumidifier running inside, and I've tried to air it out by leaving the windows open for extended periods of time.

Occasionally, just as I step outside, I get a faint whiff of garbage coming from it. It only happens like right after I exit the driver door.

When I turn on the fan only with no AC, it smells like socks.

Any advice?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Sounds like mold in your vents possibly or maybe it had water damage at some point?

 

[desura]

Sounds like mold in your vents possibly or maybe it had water damage at some point?

I don't think it had water damage because I've really cleaned it, like I went down to where the seats are bolted to the bottom panel to clean it.

Lots of dog hair but no rust or moisture.

 

[Raizinman]

Some smells cannot be removed without replacing more than the car is worth.

The episode of Seinfeld and the BO in the car comes to mind. If it were my car, I would first get the car detailed (no different than in the Seinfeld episode). I would then remove the seats and carpets and see if that makes a difference in the smell. Normally the seats and carpets hold the most smells. The carpet and or pads underneath will likely need to be replaced due to garbage spills.

 

[NuroMancer]

1) could easily be mold, run the heater for a significant period of time
2) put a bounce sheet under the drivers seat?

 

[SearchMaster]

We bought a van many many years ago that was a fantastic deal but did have cigarette smoke smell. We tried everything but it basically just took time.

 

[Squeetard]

Friend spilled milk on the rear carpet, the smell never left the car.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Friend's brother puked in her brand new CRV and over a year ago and it still stinks in there. She got it detailed, cleaned the crap out of it and used all kinds of air fresheners. No dice.

We had Highlander Limited and it smelled like mold coming out of the AC vents. We sprayed a ton of lysol disinfectant in the vents in the cab as well as under the hood. It helped, but the smell would always return. Toyota gave us a hard time about it, even though there was a tsb for condensation in the AC unit that produces the smell, and wanted $6k to remove the dash to see if something was dead in the vents. We told them to fuck off and got rid of it.

I'd suggest getting it detailed and hitting the vents to see if that does anything, then look to see if there's an issue with condensation in the AC sitting around. Otherwise, take out the carpets etc.

 

[Zivic]

replace the cabin filter... maybe put a couple drops of lemon oil on the new one before you put it in

 

[thesmokingman]

My car smells. Bought it used, still can't get rid of the smell.

I've tried everything. I've cleaned it out multiple times, wiped down the surfaces, I've bought air odorizers, I've tried using charcoal and coffee grounds to absorb smells, I've even set a dehumidifier running inside, and I've tried to air it out by leaving the windows open for extended periods of time.

Occasionally, just as I step outside, I get a faint whiff of garbage coming from it. It only happens like right after I exit the driver door.

When I turn on the fan only with no AC, it smells like socks.

Any advice?

Check the history on that car. Where'd you buy it from? Cars with funky smells that creep up after sale smacks of water damage.

 

[NutBucket]

They also make a foaming cleaner for the evaporator. Might look into that.

 

[slag]

ozmodium or something like that.