DB9 cabin smell.
Discussion
Re. My recently purchased 2005 DB9.
Noticed yesterday and today that there is a foul smell similar to stale cigar smoke lurking in the cabin which gets worse when the driver or passenger window is open suggesting that the air flowing into the car is picking up the smell somewhere along the way.
The previous owner of the car was not a smoker and the interior of the car is immaculate.
I wondered if something was damp but on checking all is dry as a bone.
Could it possibly be the pollen filters or some sort of bacteria in the air conditioning system.
Anyone experienced similar and if so what is the remedy ?
PS Rick DMS where are you ?
Noticed yesterday and today that there is a foul smell similar to stale cigar smoke lurking in the cabin which gets worse when the driver or passenger window is open suggesting that the air flowing into the car is picking up the smell somewhere along the way.
The previous owner of the car was not a smoker and the interior of the car is immaculate.
I wondered if something was damp but on checking all is dry as a bone.
Could it possibly be the pollen filters or some sort of bacteria in the air conditioning system.
Anyone experienced similar and if so what is the remedy ?
PS Rick DMS where are you ?
Sounds like the cabin filter. Had this smell in my SLK32 and changing the filter and cleansing the air con sorted it out. The window thing maybe sucking air out of the car drawing it through the filter.
Found a note from Rick as to how to replace them
Rick-DMS-:
they are located behind the glove box, The easiest method i find on the rhd version , presume it will be the same for lhd, remove the three screws under the glovebox, which is basically the hinge for the door, then open the door and the whole door will come away lower this down gently, being careful of the closing cord attached to the side of the door, you can leave this attached if careful, next pull off the leather surround it is the bit with the release button in (don't worry it comes away quite easily), disconnect the switch and place the surround safely out of harms way, then remove the four screws you can now see which in effect is the rear of the glovebox, then remove this plastic piece, look in side and you will see the heater box at the top there is an oblong cover which is white in colour it is just clipped on to the heater box, unclip each side carefully so as not to damage the clips , at this point you will see the filters which simply pull out, just replace and rebuild,
sounds more complicated than it is should only take about 10 minutes,
Another method to remove the smell (temporarily at least) is to run the car up to temperature and run the highest heat setting with recirc and air con. Do this for 20 mins or so and this will kill the bacteria (at least give them a headache) and then see how it smells.
Found a note from Rick as to how to replace them
Rick-DMS-:
they are located behind the glove box, The easiest method i find on the rhd version , presume it will be the same for lhd, remove the three screws under the glovebox, which is basically the hinge for the door, then open the door and the whole door will come away lower this down gently, being careful of the closing cord attached to the side of the door, you can leave this attached if careful, next pull off the leather surround it is the bit with the release button in (don't worry it comes away quite easily), disconnect the switch and place the surround safely out of harms way, then remove the four screws you can now see which in effect is the rear of the glovebox, then remove this plastic piece, look in side and you will see the heater box at the top there is an oblong cover which is white in colour it is just clipped on to the heater box, unclip each side carefully so as not to damage the clips , at this point you will see the filters which simply pull out, just replace and rebuild,
sounds more complicated than it is should only take about 10 minutes,
Another method to remove the smell (temporarily at least) is to run the car up to temperature and run the highest heat setting with recirc and air con. Do this for 20 mins or so and this will kill the bacteria (at least give them a headache) and then see how it smells.
Edited by SLacKer on Tuesday 27th December 23:30
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