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      10-30-2018, 09:10 PM   #1
kyoo
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Cigarette Smoke - in the Vents?

I've got a used M3 and pretty certain the previous owner was a smoker, despite what the dealer told me. I don't get too much cigarette smoke in the car, but when I turn on the vents, it smells pretty strong. Is there something here I can do? Ive swapped cabin air filters, no change, is there something in the vents themselves?
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      10-30-2018, 09:26 PM   #2
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I used this odor eliminator from griots garage years ago in my STi. Worked pretty well from what I remember.

https://www.griotsgarage.com/product...xterminator.do
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      10-30-2018, 09:29 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Motown View Post
I used this odor eliminator from griots garage years ago in my STi. Worked pretty well from what I remember.

https://www.griotsgarage.com/product...xterminator.do
thanks, i'll give it a try! place in center of the vehicle? the odor only comes out when the vents are on, wonder if that will still work?
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      10-30-2018, 09:58 PM   #4
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Yeah yours might be a bit more tricky. Maybe you could run the recirculation ac mode a few times while the odor eliminator is doing it's thing?
Or I'm sure there are other products out there worth checking out.
Good luck!
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      10-30-2018, 10:02 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Motown View Post
Yeah yours might be a bit more tricky. Maybe you could run the recirculation ac mode a few times while the odor eliminator is doing it's thing?
Or I'm sure there are other products out there worth checking out.
Good luck!
thanks, that's def worth considering, appreciate the input!
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      10-31-2018, 06:12 AM   #6
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Are you certain it’s not an odour from the A/C?
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      10-31-2018, 06:31 AM   #7
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Find a detail shop that has one of those ozone machines.
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      10-31-2018, 07:08 AM   #8
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Send Phil (detailers domain) a PM and see what he recommends.
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      10-31-2018, 08:09 AM   #9
kyoo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomHudson View Post
Are you certain it’s not an odour from the A/C?
i actually smell it less when the ac is on, as opposed to just the regular vent
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      11-19-2018, 10:55 PM   #10
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talked to adam's, they recommended a spray to use while letting the car recirc air

quick question - where are the external air vents for this car (usually near the windshield) and is there also a pass through vent behind the passenger's side glove box or anything like that?
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      11-20-2018, 07:33 AM   #11
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I’ve used both of these products with good results. Completely eliminating cigarette smell is tricky as every single surface absorbs the nicotine. Give the entire interior a good detail/cleaning including the dash,headliner, carpets and seatbelts. The ozone machine that Oolas3 suggested is also a good bet.

Good luck!
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      11-20-2018, 08:21 AM   #12
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where do you spray those though?
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      11-21-2018, 08:36 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hagasan41 View Post
I’ve used both of these products with good results. Completely eliminating cigarette smell is tricky as every single surface absorbs the nicotine. Give the entire interior a good detail/cleaning including the dash,headliner, carpets and seatbelts….
Good luck!
….and the windows! Had a colleague many years ago who was a heavy smoker. When he should get the cracked /windscreen replaced the shop said "bummer to find the right tint colour but we managed"... only it wasn't tinted… So yes the damn smoke gets everywhere!
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      11-21-2018, 09:17 AM   #14
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Quote:
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….and the windows! Had a colleague many years ago who was a heavy smoker. When he should get the cracked /windscreen replaced the shop said "bummer to find the right tint colour but we managed"... only it wasn't tinted… So yes the damn smoke gets everywhere!
lol damn.

i've gotten my windhsield tinted 80% and they wiped the windshield when they did that so i should be good there. should consider a full detail for sure but for now gonna see if this helps - the smell is really only in the vents, and with the ac OFF, which is bizarre - so I just need to figure out where exactly to spray the M3, inside and outside.

anyone know here if there's a vent that routes behind the passenger's glove box? and where the outside gets air in from?
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      11-21-2018, 02:06 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kyoo View Post
where do you spray those though?
You need to get the product into the air ducts and the evaporator (source of the smell). Do a search on YouTube for some How To’s. I have a no drink and eat policy in the M so I’ve never had to do it otherwise I’d give you a play by play.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Helmsman View Post
….and the windows! Had a colleague many years ago who was a heavy smoker. When he should get the cracked /windscreen replaced the shop said "bummer to find the right tint colour but we managed"... only it wasn't tinted… So yes the damn smoke gets everywhere!
Yes! Good call. A complete detail is required and part of the process to remove the smell as the AC is just recirculating the odor.
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