Funny Smell

[martinj46]

Bit of an odd one this, if the mods want to move it feel free.

I've recently noticed that there is a really disgusting, sewage like smell when driving along with the driver's window open. At first I thought it was just something outside as when stationary or with the window closed there is no smell. I've had a sniff around this evening (neighbours probably think I've lost it) and it seems to be coming from down behind the bottom window seal, although it was only a very faint scent while stopped.

Any ideas on what could be causing this? Or how to go about rectifying it? Is getting the door card off to gain access an "involving" job?

Cheers

 

[maxvr6]

Getting the door card is pretty easy, it's a few screws and clips, sure there's a guide on here or RSX forum, takes me about 5-10 minutes.

 

[alan-lee]

ran over anything recently??

 

[martinj46]

Getting the door card is pretty easy, it's a few screws and clips, sure there's a guide on here or RSX forum, takes me about 5-10 minutes.

Cheers, I'll have a look

ran over anything recently??

haha, not that I've noticed...

 

[wj51fut]

It's not the catalytic converter you can smell is it?! Sulphur eggy smell?

 

[martinj46]

It's not the catalytic converter you can smell is it?! Sulphur eggy smell?

I hadn't thought of that... Could be a possibility. Would that mean it's needing replaced (please say no)

 

[wj51fut]

May do. Usually a sign of it. What mileage is it? Not known one to go though. I know they are about £1200 new from Honda!! Scary.

 

[C&S Evo7]

It's unlikely the cat will need replacement, but the smell isn't usually smell able from the car , you will sometimes get it if you are following a car that's had a ragging .

There is a drain pipe from the ac that can get blocked and cause a smell , there could also be some damp somewhere , not usually in the door panel though,

I once ran over an already dead badger , some of its fur stuck to the clamp on my exhaust, that smelt pretty bad for ages

 

[martinj46]

Cheers for the replies guys

There is a drain pipe from the ac that can get blocked and cause a smell

Where should I be looking for this?

Hopefully it's good weather at the weekend, and I'll have a look underneath to check for any dead animals etc haha

 

[C&S Evo7]

I'm trying to find a link, it's years since I've heard of this problem

 

[Bonito]

May or may not solve your problem but I noticed I was getting a bad smell too. Then when I was filling my washer bottle at a petrol station I noticed the water smelled rancid. The garage I'd filled up my washer bottle the last couple times uses recycled rain water. God knows how long it sits there in the tanks going stagment.

 

[martinj46]

May or may not solve your problem but I noticed I was getting a bad smell too. Then when I was filling my washer bottle at a petrol station I noticed the water smelled rancid. The garage I'd filled up my washer bottle the last couple times uses recycled rain water. God knows how long it sits there in the tanks going stagment.

I fill mine up from the hose at home, so it shouldn't be that, but I'll check it out tonight anyway, thanks.

I've narrowed it down to something outside the car now, as the same smell comes inside with the passenger window open. The weather looks good for tomorrow, so I'll get her jacked up and have a scan underneath

C&S Evo7 - did you have any luck finding the link?

 

[dave c]

I bet theres a dead animal (or part of) in there, can't think what else it would be.


Neighbours haven't lost a pet recently have they

 

[martinj46]

Neighbours haven't lost a pet recently have they

haha no! Although I wouldn't mind getting rid of a few of their cats... jokes

 

[PORTHOS]

As above, check all those! lol

I would hazard a guess at the stale water theme, possibly pooling in the bottom of the door and not draining away...

There are little drain holes at the bottom of the doors (towards the type-r sticker end) see if they are clear.

 

[martinj46]

There are little drain holes at the bottom of the doors (towards the type-r sticker end) see if they are clear.

Cheers, I'll add that to my list

 

[martinj46]

Update

Had a good look under the car today, nothing to see though.

The smell is definitely coming from behind the drivers door card though, more specifically the locking mechanism. It's currently soaking in degreaser and I'll re grease it. Hopefully that will clear whatever it is causing the smell.

 

[alan-lee]

Maybe someone has slid poop down between your window seal and it's now laying in the door :-(

 

[martinj46]

Haha thankfully not. Cleaning out the locking mechanism seems to have sorted the problem, fingers crossed it doesn't come back.

 

[coyote_dc5]

Maybe someone has slid poop down between your window seal and it's now laying in the door :-(

I was in a meeting reading this and you almost made me laugh out loud with that comment.