Smell
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 105
Likes: 38
From: Herndon, Virginia
Smell
Was really hoping this would improve over time. About three months ago I bought a 2016 2LT Z51. Whereas I really love the car, it stinks inside. Now, it did small when I bought it, but was not sure whether the previous owner vaped or something and figured it would go away. I had the center armrest replaced because of the common issue with the leather separation, and when that was done, the upholsterer deodorized the car. Now, the smell went away for about a week, but has come back, plus, I now have the added smell from the deodorizing chemicals. Its really hard to describe the smell, its not a car type of smell. I am at the point of ripping out the interior or selling the car, neither of which I want to do. I was wondering about a heater core leak, because Dexcool doesn't smell like antifreeze, but there are no other signs typical of a leak. On a hot day, if the car has been closed up, when you open the door, the smell hits you in the face before you even get in.
Does anyone have any suggestions. I have even thought about trying to trace the previous owner to see if this was why he sold the car.
Does anyone have any suggestions. I have even thought about trying to trace the previous owner to see if this was why he sold the car.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Hopefully its not a water leak, and hopefully the insulation under the carpet isn't soaked and ruined. A smell that is sorta similar to the inside of a used tennis shoe is almost always a water leak that either wasn't fixed or was never noticed in the first place. The next time you are feeling ambitious, pull up one side of the carpet and stick your arm under it as far as you can. Anything besides bone dry in there is a problem.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 105
Likes: 38
From: Herndon, Virginia
I just went and checked the water level, and took a careful note of it. I also smelled the top of the overflow bottle, and compared it to the smell inside the car, and where there are some similarities, its not the same. I don't believe anything has died in the car. This weekend, I am going to remove the seats to have a look for anything under them, or under the carpet. I am a little concerned since there are air bags in the seats and I don't want to accidentally deploy one of them.
The dealer said he would fix it, but since no one seems to be able to identify the smell, or locate the source, I don't see how he plans on doing that.
The dealer said he would fix it, but since no one seems to be able to identify the smell, or locate the source, I don't see how he plans on doing that.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
I just went and checked the water level, and took a careful note of it. I also smelled the top of the overflow bottle, and compared it to the smell inside the car, and where there are some similarities, its not the same. I don't believe anything has died in the car. This weekend, I am going to remove the seats to have a look for anything under them, or under the carpet. I am a little concerned since there are air bags in the seats and I don't want to accidentally deploy one of them.
The dealer said he would fix it, but since no one seems to be able to identify the smell, or locate the source, I don't see how he plans on doing that.
The dealer said he would fix it, but since no one seems to be able to identify the smell, or locate the source, I don't see how he plans on doing that.
You have water leaking into the car every time it rains or every time you wash it. Once the water reaches the underside of the carpet, it will never dry out again. Ever. Instead it just starts growing mold and other fungus under the carpet. This is what makes the smell.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; Aug 10, 2018 at 08:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 105
Likes: 38
From: Herndon, Virginia
WATER leak not coolant.
You have water leaking into the car every time it rains or every time you wash it. Once the water reaches the underside of the carpet, it will never dry out again. Ever. Instead it just starts growing mold and other fungus under the carpet. This is what makes the smell.
You have water leaking into the car every time it rains or every time you wash it. Once the water reaches the underside of the carpet, it will never dry out again. Ever. Instead it just starts growing mold and other fungus under the carpet. This is what makes the smell.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
Another possibility is a clogged drain for the HVAC system which will result in a swampy smell. Or perhaps the previous owner found that the cup holder didn't hold his bong any better than it does with anything but a very short cup so you now have the scent of "bong water" in your C7 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,800
Likes: 2,653
From: Down south in Dixie
I had a dad-gum rat take a leak on my cabin filter. Now I'm here to tell ya, that sure didn't smell like roses. 
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 679
Likes: 279
From: Charlotte NC
Given that it is a used car please check under the carpets and and maybe behind the door panels to make sure it is not a flood car. Catch it now so you can have some recourse on the dealer that sold it to you. I sure hope its not that so best of luck in getting it corrected.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,065
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
Party wagon...
Instructor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 194
Likes: 78
From: North Dakota
Last winter had a mouse set up housekeeping in mine. Terrible smell. First indication was not much air coming out of the vents with fan on high. Pulled the cabin filter and it was a mess. Ended up having to
take the fan out under the passenger side dash and clean out a lot of crap out of the duct. Have sprayed disinfectant, lysol, fabreeze, etc. numerous times and the smell is finally starting to go away.
take the fan out under the passenger side dash and clean out a lot of crap out of the duct. Have sprayed disinfectant, lysol, fabreeze, etc. numerous times and the smell is finally starting to go away.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 2,107
From: Left Coast, San Diego
I know this sounds nuts but I would be smelling the carpet in different locations looking for a concentration of that smell. I would check under the dash, seats, cargo area and check the cabin air filter. Good luck!
Do the filter first.
Do the filter first.
Last edited by Vet Interested; Aug 10, 2018 at 06:44 PM.