Author Topic: What's this smell inside my car? (Read 3963 times)

jewels007 · « **on:** March 31, 2009, 02:31:04 pm »

For the past several months, the inside of my 10-year-old VW Golf has smelled like spoiled milk and mildew. I did NOT spill anything in my car, and before you ask, yes, I am sure.

Does anyone know what this is? When driving, there's also a very strong gas smell sometimes, although I have been unable to determine the cause. I don't see any leaks inside my car. I do have a very minor transmission oil leak outside my car, but that's been there for years.

Any thoughts or suggestions on how to find the cause of the problem would be appreciated.

Thanks,
jewels

blur911 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:44:24 pm »

Hmmmm, milk and mildew.
My nose never works right, but I'm guessing it could be the smell of hot engine coolant. If it's coming out of the heater vents it's probably a leaky heater core, if it's mostly outside look for leaky green fluid from your rad or hoses, etc.

BTW, keep animals away from any puddles of coolant or anti-freeze, they love the taste and drink it, very poisonous.

articsteve · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2009, 03:07:11 pm »

Your carpet may be wet under your driver's floor mat. Most are.

jewels007 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2009, 03:47:40 pm »

Thanks, but it's not my heater core/antifreeze. I had it replaced last year. I am guessing that the milk/mildew and gas odour are connected in some way.

Any other ideas??

Giant Dwarf · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2009, 04:18:20 pm »

I suspect Articsteve's on the right track. After the winter, my car smells like a wet dog because the carpets keep getting wet and never fully drying out.

I used to have a Civic that would smell like mildew in the summer because of the shape of the plumbing to/from the HVAC would collect moisture from the condenser. The solution was to turn the heat on full blast and dry it out fully from time to time.

Zombie · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2009, 05:01:19 pm »

Maybe the carpets. Get down there and give it a good smell.
If it is that get it shampooed and then let it dry well.

aquadorhj · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2009, 07:29:15 pm »

Quote from: blur911 on March 31, 2009, 02:44:24 pm

BTW, keep animals away from any puddles of coolant or anti-freeze, they love the taste and drink it, very poisonous.

Very good advice regarding pet safety. I tasted coolant accidentally once.. it's very sweet.. and filmly on my tongue. not pleasant feeling to know i'm tasting poison..

barrie1 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2009, 07:36:40 pm »

Thats why I use the Lowtox brand anti-freeze with distilled water. It will not poison your pets at all. They may get slightly sick but not kill them like the rest of the brands do. I buy this at Canadian Tire for around $17.99 a large jug. It also stays cleaner in the rad longer then any other brand I have ever used as well.

rrocket · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2009, 07:59:43 pm »

You only need to buy pet safe anti-freeze if your car leaks.....LOL.....

Squishy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:42:57 pm »

It could be unrelated to the gas smell and just be mildew in the vents. Do you drive with the blower off or on recirculate?

jewels007 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2009, 09:56:55 pm »

I don't purposely turn on the blower unless I need to defog my windows. Do you suggest that I do that for a while?

Getting down and smelling the carpet is also a good idea. Will do that tomorrow. Thanks.

Squishy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2009, 10:09:37 pm »

The blower should always be on while driving. That could very well be your issue.

jewels007 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2009, 10:49:05 pm »

what do you mean? why?

Squishy · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2009, 10:59:32 pm »

It helps prevent mildew buildup in the HVAC lines. Most owner's manuals I have seen have all mentioned to keep the blower on.

dr_spock · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:00:33 pm »

Do you have A/C in your Golf? Does the smell come out of your vents? I think you need to sniff around the insides of your car to pin point the source.

safristi · « **Reply #15 on:** April 01, 2009, 10:21:59 am »

...NO!!..................................

jewels007 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:04:31 am »

Would spraying Lysol into the vents and the carpet help?

UmroAyyar · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:27:09 am »

Try deodorizing the environment in your car by placing 2-3 fabric softener sheets. I do that after a smoker sits in my car even if they are not smoking, you can smell it.

Make sure the carpet is dry and cleaned.

barrie1 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:31:47 pm »

Could also be a good candidate for the Wynns product called "Fresh Air" which cleans and takes the bad odours out of the air ducts. Most good parts stores sell it.

jewels007 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:39:41 pm »

Checked my carpets today and they did not smell. Also took a whiff of my vents and did not pick up on any mildew or spoiled milk scent.

Later took my car into the mechanic who found a loose hose under the hood. The loose hose was leaking gas onto the motor, which in turn, was causing the gas smell when driving. He reattached the hose and put a clamp on to secure it. The gas smell has now stopped.

Will see tomorrow if the mildew smell also stops -- that is, if the two smells were related.

J