smelly xantia - 1999 80,000 miles, 1.8i with Aircon

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 14 Feb 2006, 14:46

Hi all,,

Similar to a lower post.

Inside car, smell coming from vents....

Very hard to describe.. I know warm antifreeze smells, likewise petrol, burning oil, even emmisions smells.

This one is wierd and fairly unpleasent.
It has always been present, but seems to be getting worse.
The most obvious thing it reminds me of is the burning of an eletrical item, just after its burnt out.. like a slightly 'fishy' burnt smell..
Have checked nothing obvious in intake near bonnet rear edge. Cannot smell anything there either. Engine bay doesnt smell particurlaly bad... seems to come from any vent inside, although not 100%
any thoughts?

screen doesnt mist up excessively...

smell is worse when car is hot, but I guess that is normal..

thanks
John

8304 · Post by **8304** » 14 Feb 2006, 15:08

screen doesnt mist up excessively...

does it mist up at-all, id be thinking heater matrix or other leak if it does.....

alastair

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 14 Feb 2006, 15:20

thanks Alistair

it seems to mist a little when i have recycle on. but its very slight...
no coolant loss in 5 months..?

doesnt smell like any coolant leaking...

hmmm

pollen filter removal must be a start..

Clogzz · Post by **Clogzz** » 14 Feb 2006, 15:39

Wouldn't it be the pollen filter ?
It can be washed, dried and re-used.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 14 Feb 2006, 15:44

think i will remove it for journey home, may notice a slight difference even if the pipework is still contaminated...

it cant really be electrical can it? what is really down there, which is electrical?

Clogzz · Post by **Clogzz** » 14 Feb 2006, 15:59

The only thing electrical down there is the blower motor.
If the filter is black, it may restrict the airflow and strain the blower motor.
The most common problem with the motor is for the output transistors of the speed regulator to blow, causing the motor to spin flat-out all the time.

fridgedoc · Post by **fridgedoc** » 09 Mar 2006, 03:06

Hi

Sounds like the a/c evap is contaminated.

Run fan a high speed and spray anti-bacterial spray into air intake turn ignition off leave over night if you can, this should clear your smell, you might end up with the smell of the bacterial spray, if so what ever nice smelling spray you have handy spray that into air intake.

Note.... I you have a dog in the car on a regular basis you will need to do this every 3 Months

Bonne Chance