Car mats and... what's that smell?

Vidgamer · 06-08-2017, 02:35 PM

I got some discount, custom "coco" style floor mats, to replace the boring stock ones that I couldn't seem to clean.

I was hoping that getting rid of the stained mats would help with the smell I've been getting, but no - must be something else. I've cleaned, and even checked the cabin air filter, but haven't gotten to the bottom of it.

Vidgamer · 06-16-2017, 02:50 PM

When I searched about it, it turns out that a smelly A/C is common for BMWs.

I cleaned leaves from under the hood, checked the filter, sprayed a bit of Lysol.... no, the stink persisted. I even tried the trick of running the heater/hot air for a few min., which is one of the few things I read that sounded like it might work, short of trying to access the A/C.

I ended up spraying some Lysol inside while running recirculating air, and that really helped. I've read that some people don't want to use that, because they think it's a bad chemical, so, well, I'll take my chances.

kiloTHREE · 06-16-2017, 02:54 PM

Want to really kill the smell?
Get an ozone machine (<100) plug er in and let it run a full 3-4 days closed up.

jinda · 06-16-2017, 03:46 PM

What kind of smell? Does it smell when your AC is off?

Vidgamer · 06-16-2017, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jinda

What kind of smell? Does it smell when your AC is off?

People have described it as "gym sock smell". Yeah, kinda musty like that. It is worse after the car has been sitting around for a while, but it is noticeable even with A/C on. But mostly when I first get in.

Vidgamer · 06-21-2017, 07:32 AM

Car has smelled good this week! I had given it a couple of Lysol treatments (just in the recirculating A/C vent), and did a general interior cleaning.

I don't normally use air fresheners, but got some stuff that also said it was an "odor reducer" too, so I figured what the heck.

Back to enjoying getting into the car....

06-08-2017, 02:35 PM	#1
Vidgamer Private First Class 10 Rep 128 Posts Drives: BMW X1 e84 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Orlando, Florida iTrader: (0)	Car mats and... what's that smell? I got some discount, custom "coco" style floor mats, to replace the boring stock ones that I couldn't seem to clean. I was hoping that getting rid of the stained mats would help with the smell I've been getting, but no - must be something else. I've cleaned, and even checked the cabin air filter, but haven't gotten to the bottom of it.
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06-16-2017, 02:50 PM	#2
Vidgamer Private First Class 10 Rep 128 Posts Drives: BMW X1 e84 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Orlando, Florida iTrader: (0)	When I searched about it, it turns out that a smelly A/C is common for BMWs. I cleaned leaves from under the hood, checked the filter, sprayed a bit of Lysol.... no, the stink persisted. I even tried the trick of running the heater/hot air for a few min., which is one of the few things I read that sounded like it might work, short of trying to access the A/C. I ended up spraying some Lysol inside while running recirculating air, and that really helped. I've read that some people don't want to use that, because they think it's a bad chemical, so, well, I'll take my chances.
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06-16-2017, 02:54 PM	#3
kiloTHREE Lieutenant 76 Rep 435 Posts Drives: '13 xDrive28i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	Want to really kill the smell? Get an ozone machine (<100) plug er in and let it run a full 3-4 days closed up.
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06-16-2017, 03:46 PM	#4
jinda Private 17 Rep 89 Posts Drives: 2013 X1 xDrive35i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	What kind of smell? Does it smell when your AC is off? __________________ 2013 X1 x35i M Sport Past: 2011 Mazda CX7 AWD Sport \| 2004 BMW 330i ZSP/ZPP \| 2008 Hummer H3 \| 2005 Honda Civic VTi \| 1997 Honda Civic ESi \| 1996 Nissan Sentra SS EXi
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06-21-2017, 07:32 AM	#6
Vidgamer Private First Class 10 Rep 128 Posts Drives: BMW X1 e84 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Orlando, Florida iTrader: (0)	Car has smelled good this week! I had given it a couple of Lysol treatments (just in the recirculating A/C vent), and did a general interior cleaning. I don't normally use air fresheners, but got some stuff that also said it was an "odor reducer" too, so I figured what the heck. Back to enjoying getting into the car....
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