Smelly car (BMW)

VfM4meplse

On entering my car this morning, I noticed a really odd smell - faintly ammonia, and very unpleasant.

The car is clean (didn't smell of anything when I drove it yesterday), conditions outside temperate but drizzly. The a/c reduced the smell a bit, but not much, and made the front windscreen screen constantly wet so eventually I just switched it off rather than using the wipers non-stop. After a 40 min car journey, and and hour back at home, I can still smell it .

I have looked at this forum and checked for debris under the bonnet, any ideas before I call the dealership tomorrow?

TIA

vikingaero

The a/c shouldn't make the windscreen wet (apart from when it fogs it up initally when turned on).

Have you checked your fluid levels and especially the coolant? Possible leak from the heating matrix? Lift the mats and check for damp/wet.

Ultrasonic

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I have looked at this forum and checked for debris under the bonnet, any ideas before I call the dealership tomorrow?

That link is to an estate agent advert for a two bedroom mid-terrace house in Ilford :huh:.

Is your car a diesel which uses DEF?

marlot

I'd check the front footwells for damp - it sounds as if the heater matrix may be leaking.

neilmcl

OP, how often do you use your a/c and was it switched on when you first noticed the smell?

Ultrasonic

vikingaero wrote: »

The a/c shouldn't make the windscreen wet (apart from when it fogs it up initally when turned on).

From the description the water was on the outside of the windscreen since it was cleared with the wipers? If the AC makes the windscreen properly cold this could lead to condensation on the outside. Not that I've ever seen or heard of this happening.

SailorSam

Could an ammonia type smell be coming from the battery ?
Does that look ok ?

You haven't got a cat that's peed have you ?

neilmcl

Also, how old is the car and when was the last time you had your aircon refreshed?

skivenov

All points to pollen filter needs changing as I see it.

TrickyWicky

SailorSam wrote: »

You haven't got a cat that's peed have you ?

I was just thinking that.. cat pee poured into the scuttle by a miffed neighbour will stay with the car forever.

colino

As above, sounds like the pollen filters are well past their sell by date. If you cant get them for a couple of days, take the old ones out, shake the loose rubbish off and spray with ordinary, domestic anti-bacterial spray. Then put the fans on full, switch the a/c on and take it for a ten minute run. It'll kill off the nasties in the inlet trunking.