How to Find the Source of a Bad Odor in a Car
Look for an obvious source., Do a little detective work., If you haven't found the odor source, check the glove compartment, ash receptacles, trunk, and beneath seats., Check the owner's manual to see if your car has a cabin air filter in the AC...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Look for an obvious source.
To rid a car from odor, determine the source by considering typical origins of odors.
The most common is kids spilling food or beverages, and if this is obvious, get a can of carpet and upholstery cleaner and treat it according to label. -
Step 2: Do a little detective work.
If the odor is a mildew-like musk, you may have a leaky floorboard, for instance a loose chassis drain plug allowing rain to splash inside.
A wet car carpet will grow mildew and mold rapidly, especially with closed windows.
Feel the carpet, especially the lower floor board sections where water might accumulate.
When "damp spots" are located, apply a weak solution of chlorine bleach, not exceeding 2 oz per gallon.
Then speed dry with either a wet/dry shop vac or airing out with windows down in the sun.
With unexplained floor wet spots, crawl under the car and look for plugs missing and openings.
These plugs are black rubber inserts, about
1.5"X 3"
placed in lower parts of the car floor. , Most back seats remove by lifting at the front edge and sliding forward.
The force required to remove the seat varies and some cars may have threaded fasteners which would need removing. , Since AC acts as a dehumidifier, this filter can dampen with condensation, becoming moldy, blowing odors into the car.
By selecting 'return air' or 'recirculate' on the AC controls, less moisture enters the system, decreasing the water being removed at the evaporating coil, decreasing possibility of smelly mold.
The filter is replaceable but complicated, so consult a professional in this instance. , It is not unusual for these to cause odors, but not normally detectable except when the car is idling or traveling at low speed.
Gasoline odor is especially serious, and if you think you may have a fuel leak it should get immediate attention.
Antifreeze has a unique, sickly-sweet odor, and a radiator leak will cause the engine temperature to rise, boil over and quit.
Oil leaks, especially above the exhaust manifold where the dripping oil actually burns off, can smell, but at highway speed it will likely disperse to drivers behind you.
An engine exhaust leak has very low odor potential, but if you suspect one, it can be the most serious of all.
When the engine runs, these fumes can accumulate inside the car, becoming very toxic when concentrated.
Mostly, significant exhaust leaks cause loud exhaust sounds. , If you have not succeeded in finding the odor source, it could be road-kill under the chassis.
You may notice this distinct odor at one of the quarter panels, and a car wash pressure washer, to thoroughly spray out the suspect area, could help.
Do not spray water up into the engine compartment and knock wiring couplers, vacuum hoses and even spark plug wires loose. ,, A variety of commercial deodorizers and cleaning products help, also, an open a box of baking soda.
Shoe "Odor Eaters" can be placed under seats, but unless you eliminate the odor source, anything is just a stop-gap solution. -
Step 3: If you haven't found the odor source
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Step 4: check the glove compartment
-
Step 5: ash receptacles
-
Step 6: and beneath seats.
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Step 7: Check the owner's manual to see if your car has a cabin air filter in the AC duct work.
-
Step 8: Check the engine and exhaust system.
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Step 9: Look under the car and around the tires.
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Step 10: Inspect behind the front grill for feathers of a bird stuck in the radiator.
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Step 11: Because types and sources of odors vary
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Step 12: this article doesn't cover remedies for the odor itself
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Step 13: concentrating on locating and removing it.
Detailed Guide
To rid a car from odor, determine the source by considering typical origins of odors.
The most common is kids spilling food or beverages, and if this is obvious, get a can of carpet and upholstery cleaner and treat it according to label.
If the odor is a mildew-like musk, you may have a leaky floorboard, for instance a loose chassis drain plug allowing rain to splash inside.
A wet car carpet will grow mildew and mold rapidly, especially with closed windows.
Feel the carpet, especially the lower floor board sections where water might accumulate.
When "damp spots" are located, apply a weak solution of chlorine bleach, not exceeding 2 oz per gallon.
Then speed dry with either a wet/dry shop vac or airing out with windows down in the sun.
With unexplained floor wet spots, crawl under the car and look for plugs missing and openings.
These plugs are black rubber inserts, about
1.5"X 3"
placed in lower parts of the car floor. , Most back seats remove by lifting at the front edge and sliding forward.
The force required to remove the seat varies and some cars may have threaded fasteners which would need removing. , Since AC acts as a dehumidifier, this filter can dampen with condensation, becoming moldy, blowing odors into the car.
By selecting 'return air' or 'recirculate' on the AC controls, less moisture enters the system, decreasing the water being removed at the evaporating coil, decreasing possibility of smelly mold.
The filter is replaceable but complicated, so consult a professional in this instance. , It is not unusual for these to cause odors, but not normally detectable except when the car is idling or traveling at low speed.
Gasoline odor is especially serious, and if you think you may have a fuel leak it should get immediate attention.
Antifreeze has a unique, sickly-sweet odor, and a radiator leak will cause the engine temperature to rise, boil over and quit.
Oil leaks, especially above the exhaust manifold where the dripping oil actually burns off, can smell, but at highway speed it will likely disperse to drivers behind you.
An engine exhaust leak has very low odor potential, but if you suspect one, it can be the most serious of all.
When the engine runs, these fumes can accumulate inside the car, becoming very toxic when concentrated.
Mostly, significant exhaust leaks cause loud exhaust sounds. , If you have not succeeded in finding the odor source, it could be road-kill under the chassis.
You may notice this distinct odor at one of the quarter panels, and a car wash pressure washer, to thoroughly spray out the suspect area, could help.
Do not spray water up into the engine compartment and knock wiring couplers, vacuum hoses and even spark plug wires loose. ,, A variety of commercial deodorizers and cleaning products help, also, an open a box of baking soda.
Shoe "Odor Eaters" can be placed under seats, but unless you eliminate the odor source, anything is just a stop-gap solution.
About the Author
Jennifer Graham
Writer and educator with a focus on practical cooking knowledge.
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