Odour in car

Try an Aircon bomb. The filter might need to be replaced too

An ozone sanitation device might help too. I used one on my car that had a slight tobacco smell in it and it done the job. Most car dealers are using them now because of the coronavirus so it shouldn't be too hard for you to find someone to do it.

Robyn_14 wrote: »

It would be on a but I guess, but the smell doesn’t get worse when it’s on. You get it when you get into the car first. I’ve gotten the filter but it’s behind the glovebox and I’m struggling to release the glove box by myself. And I don’t want to use the aircon bomb until the filter is changed. So will try get to garage tomorrow

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

Best thing in future is switch of the aircon few minutes before you reach home.

I had a habit of never turning it off, as I thought it would keep the interior air fresher,
How wrong I was, after around when my cars were 12 months old I would start to get the smell, No cleaning ( which my cars never get dirty ) No air freshners would clear it,
First thing when you get into the car I could get the whiff. it baffled me until I read up it was the air con / climate system was causing it.
I do a lot of stop start trips and with the climate on all the time the system never got hot enough to burn off the moisture in the system/ hoses/vents etc. which built up Bacteria that caused the smell.
Solution for me was.
As above, turn off the aircon about 10 minutes before reaching your destination and turn up the heat a bit.

My current car, I will only use it on a very hot day or on a long trip.

My last Car had the same odor,
Get a tin of Dettol all in one, and spray it into every vent in the car. ( liberally, don't spare it ).
Then I put the system on recirculation after warming up the engine, turn off aircon,turn fan on half speed. spray again into any air intake.
Turn the fan on full and get out of the car, let it run for a few minutes.
Turn off ignition and spray dettol all around the interior of the car including more into the vents.
Lock it up for the night.
BTW.
You can clean the interior glass with the Dettol as well.
Let us know how it goes for you.
One last thing.
Clean the interior of the car prior to this.
Wipe down panels etc with a 10/1 solution of APC.

MarkR wrote: »

Check for leaks, damp carpets can smell awful. Wife describes it as like cabbage. I must try the dettol spray actually, after drying it out.

The good thing about the Dettol is that is is an anti bacterial spray and not an air freshener. the result is a smell of "nothing" if that makes sense.

Check the boot lining and if there is a spare wheel well, damp/water collection could cause an issue, make sure all drains are clear at bottom of windscreen outside too.

Could one of them went for a pee on a seat, get enzyme spray and treat if needed.

Robyn_14 wrote: »

Thanks a mill I will do that today also, I don’t think it’s a wee smell but I do feel at times it’s more concentrated from the back of the car (maybe a little worse when you open the boot) but I haven’t found anything there it’s clear. I’ve cleaned and disinfected the boot area after the valet. Honestly I’m driven demented at this stage!!

It could well be that the valet made it worse if car wasn't allowed dry properly. Could well need a good clean again. But sniff around and see. Hopefully you will find the spot, did you smell the headlining?

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

Best thing in future is switch of the aircon few minutes before you reach home.

Best thing to do is to have it always on. This will keep the interior dry, windows won't fog up and it will actually benefit the AC compressor by keeping the seals and bearings oiled.

Of course, you should also maintain the AC, make sure the drain is not plugged or the evaporator is not mucky, otherwise you can create a horrible smell in the car.

Are you sure that it's not damp. My 2016 Golf SV leaked through all the door speakers and water lodged under the carpets. Also a vent in the boot leaked. Result - a musty smell.