Howdy, folks,

I just got my car back from the shop and the interior is reeking of fumes.

I wiped down all i could mostly with Leatherique. I also used Ozium but the stench is still there. Do any of you guys have any other recommendations? I want to rid it of the stench, not cover it up with air fresheners. Also aerated it while driving down a country road.

Thank you.

p.s. I may run my home Carbon-activated/ozonated home air purifier inside the car, which really helped when i first got the car (used) and had a weird smell in it -- once i get it fixed anyway.

 

Like gas or oil fumes? That's a pretty shoddy job by the shop.

I like the idea of the air purifier - it couldn't hurt. I think it's just going to take time and driving with the windows down.

If you can pinpoint where the fumes are coming from, clean the heck out of that spot. If it's in the carpet, I'd rent a carpet cleaner with an upholstery wand and give that a shot.

 

Thanks, Dave.

The smell reminds me of an old oil-burning vehicle with leaky exhausts that was driven in traffic with windows down all its life. Sorry, i'm not sure how else to describe it.

I'll run the Little Green on the roofliner and see if that helps.

 

What were you having done at the shop? Could it be coming in from the engine compartment? Could they have dripped oil on the exhaust?

Either way, good luck. I know what a pain it is to have something like that going on.

 

It was in the shop for pretty much a month for collision repairs. Still have issues including misalignment on some panels, an engine light (p010c) and of course the stench.

I'm not sure how oil could drip onto the exhaust, it was mostly body fixes, but then again i did take home even more problems than i brought them. <g>

Hopefully i can fix some of these issues DIY-style

 

Take it back to the shop and ask them WTF is this smell and can you get rid of it.

 

 

It sounds like a you did a pretty good job and I'm honestly not sure what would definitely solve the issue. I personally would try using the Chemical Guys Extreme Offensive Odor Eliminator - Concentrated to help kill the source of the odor. I'd also potentially Einszett 1Z Klima-Cleaner AC Odor Remover if you think the air filter has absorbed these odors. Lastly leave some fridge packs of baking soda in the car it can help absorb the odors. Good luck!

Greg @ DI