HD2pct

Hi gang-

As part of a cabin air filter replacement service, by dealer sprayed something in my HVAC system that is driving me nuts and is not going away. The best I can describe it if you get in a car that is driven by someone who wears a lot of cologne. Or the smell walking into a busy barber shop. As soon as those top front vents start blowing, BAM! If I run the A/C, eventually most of the stink goes away for that drive cycle. But it has been a month with little improvement.

I took it back to them and apparently they are not as "olfactorially sensitive" as I (I might have made up word there). They had me smell the freshener, and it DID have a scent.(Why the hell you would ever put something in a customers car that as a smell?"). But what they had me smell was not as bad. They didn't know what to do because any treatments might make it worse, they claim, and we agreed that it SHOULD go away over time.

I have STFF and have found threads about smells, but most of these relate to "musty" odors caused by moisture. This is not that.

Ideas?

spyderbret

Maybe an ionizer while letting the AC run for 20 or 30 minutes? Those usually get rid of any kind of smell.....

Archimedes

One of those shock treatments used to remove VOCs would almost certainly get rid of if, though you have to live with the after smell of that for about a week. My daughter has immune disorder and severe chemical sensitivity so we have to shock all our cars when new and it eliminates odors from everything. Smells like chlorine for about a week though.

Penn4S

Ask them to replace the cabin filters. It could be stuck in the filters.
I change cabin filters myself so this won't happen.

HD2pct

Man you said a mouthful. I am kicking myself for allowing them to do that. I don't get it - they have been quite good over the years.

I agree with the idea that it's probably somewhat in the filters, but the dealer swears that these new ones where not in place when they did their "treatment"

As for the ionizer/ozone treatments, I am going to look and see how much I can do this myself. Otherwise a good detail shop ought to be able to do it. I am actually thinking of opening up one of those jars of Ozium (stuff is fantastic), scooping some out, and making a little packet to reside where the outside cabin air filter goes, and seeing if that makes a difference after a couple of weeks.

97supratt

This works!! You can buy them online or auto parts stores I think have them.

Porsche Jeff

My friend had his ducts at his home cleaned and they put some type of "air freshener" in the ducts. Drove them crazy but it passes with time. It would be nice to ask the owner first.

HD2pct

Recommend any specific product? Frankly I don't know what to look for that is proven to do the job.

jlayco

You just gave me an idea. Hang two or three of those little Christmas trees from your mirror and you and that should take care of it.

0luke1

Smoke a large Cuban cigar with the windows up.

HD2pct

No, but you were close! You take out the outboard cabin air filter and jam Christmas Tree air fresheners in there until you can't fit anymore, then drive the car for a month.

Remember this is in the HVAC system.

But if I do that and it works, I will still give you credit for the idea.

PCA1983

I'd take the cabin filter out into fresh air for a bit, then see what it smells like. If it stinks, you could put it out in sunshine for a day or two, and/or ozone treat it. Or just replace it.

See what the car smells like running the AC without it. If better after a while, replace it. If not, you will have to treat the air ducts.

If it is in the air ducting, put an ozone generator inside the closed car and run the AC/heater fan on high with air flow set to recirculate. That might take a few hours of ozone treatment. Just guessing. Trial and error...

0luke1

Hide an open can of tuna in the dealership’s couch

HD2pct

NICE IDEA! I found an ozone generator for like $150 that looked good but it needed to be run inside a room. It didn't have a hose. Your concept seems like it could work, at least depending on where the issue is.

JSETarga

Change the 2 cabin filters and run ozone machine. Just run extension cord through closed door. Worked for me on a weird smell.