Bad Engine/Car Smell

[greg0078]

When i drive the car, doesnt seem to matter short or long trip.  I've been noticing a bad smell when i pull into the garage.  I cant quite put my finger on the smell. but it smells bad, not a bunt rubber smell.  Not sure where its coming from.  When I open the deck lid it doesnt appear any stronger in odor.  

I looked under the car no leaks that i can visibly see.  Air filter and cabin filer was just changed.  

 

2001/996 Carrera 

 

Ideas? 

[mffarrell]

It more than likely, cosmoline. My car still smells after 12 years of ownership. You can remove it from the engine and transmission, but it is a 40 hour plus job.

[White987S]

Is your car recently coming out of winter hibernation? I'd say dead animal. Pull your cabin and engine air filters. Start looking around. Did you this car last year too??

[PorscheServiceThen529Plan]

When i drive the car, doesnt seem to matter short or long trip.  I've been noticing a bad smell when i pull into the garage.  I cant quite put my finger on the smell. but it smells bad, not a bunt rubber smell.  Not sure where its coming from.  When I open the deck lid it doesnt appear any stronger in odor.  

I looked under the car no leaks that i can visibly see.  Air filter and cabin filer was just changed.  

 

2001/996 Carrera 

 

Ideas? 

 

I just had a similar problem. Turned out it was my floormats which after being saturated with our endless Boston winter actually started stinking like an old shoe. It was brutal - and thank god solveable.  My fault for not bothering with the winter mats. This reminds me gotta by new ones. 

[greg0078]

thanks 529, no the car was not stored, I drive it all year round. 

[greg0078]

It just dawned on me I had the IMS and clutch replaced, would they have anything to do w/ it?

[JFP in PA]

It just dawned on me I had the IMS and clutch replaced, would they have anything to do w/ it?

 

It is always a good idea to start looking at the last thing(s) touched.

[Odd Arne Klinge]

 

I just had a similar problem. Turned out it was my floormats which after being saturated with our endless Boston winter actually started stinking like an old shoe. It was brutal - and thank god solveable.  My fault for not bothering with the winter mats. This reminds me gotta by new ones. 

 

 

The weather here in Bergen, Norway is rainy all year round. Whenever I buy a new car, I always buy proper rubber floor mats. You would be surprised how much water you actually bring into the car with you from your shoes. The 996 do not offer original rubber floor mats, but you can use the set for the 997. I have that in my car, the inside of the car is dry, atmosphere is better and fogging is not an issue. Would strongly recommend it.

[PorscheServiceThen529Plan]

thanks 529, no the car was not stored, I drive it all year round. 

 

Me too! C4 with Vredesteins snow tires - drove through every Boston blizzard to work just for the fun of it. It was awesome - may even slap a plow on it next winter.  Mats just started stinking one day, Lloyd Ultimats on the way from Pelican

[PorscheServiceThen529Plan]

 

 

I just had a similar problem. Turned out it was my floormats which after being saturated with our endless Boston winter actually started stinking like an old shoe. It was brutal - and thank god solveable.  My fault for not bothering with the winter mats. This reminds me gotta by new ones. 

 

 

The weather here in Bergen, Norway is rainy all year round. Whenever I buy a new car, I always buy proper rubber floor mats. You would be surprised how much water you actually bring into the car with you from your shoes. The 996 do not offer original rubber floor mats, but you can use the set for the 997. I have that in my car, the inside of the car is dry, atmosphere is better and fogging is not an issue. Would strongly recommend it.

 

 

Very true. I have Weather Techs which are great - was just lazy and half wanted to kill the old mats to justify new ones for summer. wont do that again.

[Porschetech3]

Had a customer once who had a sulfur type/ rotten egg smell coming from the exhaust pipe off his 997 and some times a light white smoke from the drivers side exhaust tip. Turned out a chipmunk (rodent) had been storing dry dog food in his drivers side muffler !!! Dumped out about 1/2 pound of burnt dry dog food from it , strange thing is he said he didn't even own a dog .. and far as he knew his neighbors didn't either!! lol