Crayon Smell in Cabin

[darkrom]

I know this is a known issue across many bmws, but its particularly offensive in my e84 x1 35i. The car is a 2014 and stinks of crayons most of the time, where my 135i from 2010 has 0 smell like that.

From my research its a sound deadening material most likely and other platforms have had success replacing panels under the dash, the panels are cheap but the work is pretty involved. Does anyone have any insight on which part it is on our car that is causing the issue? Anyone else dealing with this? I'd happily pay to have someone replace the part, but it could be a lot of money to have someone try to determine which part it actually is.


I know I can't be the only one.

[Gamb1t]

Did you or someone in your household shuttled kids in recent past?

[wheela]

I seem to recall reading it had something to do with the air conditioning? My wife's old 2013 f30 328i had that problem, but I haven't really noticed it on my 2015 e84 35i. She had the dealership do something to it, and it worked for a while, but eventually the smell came back. I just can't remember what they did, but thought it was something with the a/c. Sorry that's not super helpful...

[darkrom]

Originally Posted by wheela

I seem to recall reading it had something to do with the air conditioning? My wife's old 2013 f30 328i had that problem, but I haven't really noticed it on my 2015 e84 35i. She had the dealership do something to it, and it worked for a while, but eventually the smell came back. I just can't remember what they did, but thought it was something with the a/c. Sorry that's not super helpful...

See below, but yes it's kinda all tied together but the panel breaking down seems to be right where the hvac system is so it makes sense. I have heard of other f series cars fixing it with a panel behind the dash that was degraded and offgassing this smell. I really want to track it down as best as possible without destroying the daily ripping the whole dash apart to find it. I will if I have to, but I really don't want to. It started mild but it is growing with age. I've done all the usual stuff cabin filter etc. it's 100% distinct crayon and if you Google bmw crayon smell you will see I'm not crazy at least lol. I just need to pinpoint the source of it on the e84 platform.

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

Did you or someone in your household shuttled kids in recent past?

No it's a common issue with bmws and apparently other German cars. It's got to do with insulation/sound deadening material breaking down from what I've researched so far. Between the dash and engine bay somewhere.

[jdh212]

Thank God for forums. Thought I was the only one that is getting driven crazy by this smell. I recall older Volvo's smelling the same way.

My only relief has been using super strong air fresheners in my car all the time to mask that smell.

[darkrom]

Originally Posted by jdh212

Thank God for forums. Thought I was the only one that is getting driven crazy by this smell. I recall older Volvo's smelling the same way.

My only relief has been using super strong air fresheners in my car all the time to mask that smell.

I'm not thrilled with masking. It always comes back and we are still inhaling whatever it is

[wheela]

My wife thought it smelled like cat pee, but it was distinctly crayon smell to my nose. Yeah, we saw that it was a common problem on certain models/model years too. I wonder if they changed materials on model years? I haven't really noticed it in my X1, and that's a 2015.

[darkrom]

Originally Posted by wheela

My wife thought it smelled like cat pee, but it was distinctly crayon smell to my nose. Yeah, we saw that it was a common problem on certain models/model years too. I wonder if they changed materials on model years? I haven't really noticed it in my X1, and that's a 2015.

I think it's just some insulation breaking down, probably many factors and luck involved in how bad it stinks on each car. Absolutely 0 smell on my 135 from 2010 though so not sure what to make of it but I really want to resolve it. It is very unpleasant.