Horrible smell (Chemical/Rubber type) inside Insignia (13 Reg). HELP

Aubrey_Thicket

Hi all


We have a Vauxhall Insignia (that's 6 months out of warranty) and there is a horrible, chemical smell inside the car. It really is sickening. The smell seems strongest first thing in the morning etc. At first we were convinced it was stagnant Water pooling in the drivers door. Therefore, I personally stripped the drivers door down only to find nothing. No water, no damp. In turn I lay under each door and removed all rubber bungs in the doors. Again, no build up of Water and no damp in any of the doors. So, I guess that has ruled out damp in the doors. I was going to get the air con looked at but ironically the awful smell seems to disappear when I drive with the heater blower on. I can only describe the smell as a chemical type smell, maybe Rubber. Not Eggy or sweaty and not really a burning smell.


Any ideas guys?


What can I personally check before I start paying Vauxhall to investigate?


Thanks all

AdrianC

How long have you had the car? Did the smell start suddenly, or build up gradually?

Aubrey_Thicket

We noticed it after about a year of owning the car (it was 12 months old when we bought it from the Vauxhall dealer) but the smell wasn't too troubling and we guessed it was a type of new car smell. However, the smell has gradually gotten worse. So bad, that as I was waiting outside the house the other day, my wife parked up and as she opened the door to get out of the car the smell hit me. I initially suspected it might by the Air Con system but as I said it seems that when you drive (and use the Air Con) the smell goes weaker.

AdrianC

So you bought it two years ago, as a used car, and the smell's been there for a year?

Is there any way you can narrow down where in the car the smell's originating? Carpets, seats, dash?

Aubrey_Thicket

AdrianC wrote: »

So you bought it two years ago, as a used car, and the smell's been there for a year? Yes. That's correct.

Is there any way you can narrow down where in the car the smell's originating? Carpets, seats, dash?

We really wish we had a clue where it was coming from.


The smell seems to get less when the car is driven.

AdrianC

Aubrey_Thicket wrote: »

We really wish we had a clue where it was coming from.

You're just going to have to get your nose up-close-and-personal to try to see where it's strongest.

The smell seems to get less when the car is driven.

Because of airflow through the car dispersing the odour that's built up while it's stationary. Think of it as opening the toilet window...

Aubrey_Thicket

Just checked under all seats, in boot (no spare wheel). All carpets are dry. I turned the air con on and pointed the air at my face. Nothing!

rich13348

Dead animal behind the dash?

ratrace

I have an astra j 2011, from time to time i can smell burning but i have found out its the dpf filter when it goes in to regen mode and clears it self out. search the vauxhall forums or youtbe to see if you can find a solution

stef73

When was the pollen filter last changed ?

forgotmyname

As above, pollen filter or aircon system, Had the aircon serviced? It wont be included in a standard service.