Strange smell in car when engine is running....

[SimonCC]

Hello All

I have very recently collected my 4200 CambioCorsa facelift 2006 model. I am blown away at just how stunningly beautiful the car is, and then after turning the key, the engine sounds like thunder - it is an amazing experience to finally own it, and an event every time I drive it. The temptation to plant my right foot into the carpet is just too much, oh the sound...... ;-)

There is one little thing though that is not as expected, which is that when I start the engine, there is a smell inside the car that i can only describe as the smell of rotten eggs.....

Does anybody have any idea what maybe causing this? It's not something I have experienced with any previous car, and definitely something I would like to deal with.

Any thoughts/suggestions will be gladly received.

Many thanks, Simon

 

[2b1ask1]

Sounds like the a/c drain is blocked and the carbon filter is soggy. Kneel down on the drivers side and grapple round behind the centre consol to find the black rubber tube a bit thicker than your thumb going vertically through the tunnel and wriggle it out but be prep paired for a flood! These do get blocked on occasions the carbon filter is under the scuttle panel but requires the wipers to be removed and the wiper motor. There are threads on here covering both.

 

[conaero]

Newton would appear to be on the right track.

Turn the fan off on the aircon and start it and see if the smell goes.

After you have cleared the drain and replaced the filter and all the leaved and rubbish from around it, have the aircon serviced and ask for it to be anti bacterially cleaned and deodorised.

 

[Emtee]

If it smells at start up, then I'm with Matt. Get the aircon purged and re-gassed. Congratulations on your new car Simon. Sounds like you're smitten!

 

[CliveP1]

Hi and welcome hope you get that sorted out soon as driving the car is so much fun, enjoy

 

[Migliore]

I`ve noticed a similar smell as well but had presumed it to be an exhuast fume thing as the car window was open no fan on either.
I thought the air con would be a mustier smell?
I`ve got a pretty good sense of smell and so has my daughter, in fact you could say "noses, run in our family!"

 

[CatmanV2]

I`ve noticed a similar smell as well but had presumed it to be an exhuast fume thing as the car window was open no fan on either.
I thought the air con would be a mustier smell?
I`ve got a pretty good sense of smell and so has my daughter, in fact you could say "noses, run in our family!"

Rotten eggs *I* would have thought of as being a catalyst issue, but the aircon is certainly easier to check. Other than, perhaps, getting behind the car and seeing if it is coming from the exhaust.

C

 

[davy83]

I think a real stinky smell from AC units is not uncommon, you don't get it in cars with no AC. I am not entirely sure why the smell is so bad. I think the cold elements in the system, create condensation and its this condensed fluid that settled and goes off, making it smell, but I don't know for sure. I have a Citroen that suffers from this a lot. If you can clean out the main pollen filter under the wiper assembly and also run one of those aerosol AC cleaner things you should see an improvement.

 

[CatmanV2]

Indeed, Davy. That's exactly what happens. It's that it smells like rotten eggs that would be unusual in this case, I think.

C

 

[cobratwin]

If its a defo a rotten egg smell I'd be inclined to go with the cat, I've had it twice before once on a vauxhall senator and once on an Alfa 156

 

[Migliore]

What issues can arise if it`s a Cat?
I don`t remember runing over over one !

Seriously though, would it just be failure to comply with emissions?

from Wiki
Unwanted reactions [edit]

Unwanted reactions can occur in the three-way catalyst, such as the formation of odoriferous hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Formation of each can be limited by modifications to the washcoat and precious metals used. It is difficult to eliminate these byproducts entirely. Sulfur-free or low-sulfur fuels eliminate or reduce hydrogen sulfide.

For example, when control of hydrogen-sulfide emissions is desired, nickel or manganese is added to the washcoat. Both substances act to block the absorption of sulfur by the washcoat. Hydrogen sulfide is formed when the washcoat has absorbed sulfur during a low-temperature part of the operating cycle, which is then released during the high-temperature part of the cycle and the sulfur combines with HC.

Assuming, build up Cat Conv core when starting and burnt off when engine reaches temperature?

 

[CatmanV2]

Yes, I suspect it's an emissions failure. It used to happen back in the days when we were changing to lead-free petrol. Lead 'kills' cats.
As far as I am aware, if your cat is dead, it's dead.
Worth getting a local bod to sniff your tail pipe though, to see if there is a problem with it.

C

 

[hodroyd]

Go really fast for a decent drive (you know you can do it), this should clean the cats out, then if the smell is still there you might need a puss cat. Still check the AC though..!!

 

[SimonCC]

Thanks to all for your thoughts and advice.

The car is in for a service at the moment so I have asked the garage to take a look into it. The pollen filter has been changed but they tell me the smell still lingers... The next step is to run the aerosol bacteria cleaner through the system which they will do, and I have asked for the AC to be re gassed incase this has some bearing. I will also look into the air conditioning drain and carbon filter.

Will update on proceedings and hopefully the cure..

 

[CatmanV2]

Simon, whoever is servicing should see if there is enough water in the system to be causing that much smell when they pulled the pollen filter.

C