HELP! My M3's Interior REEKS!

[Drew1204]

Guys,

About two weeks ago I had my car transported in an enclosed carrier and shipped from IL to AZ.

The day I got my car back I noticed it smelled kind of weird almost like fish mixed with oil.

I thought it would just go away but it didn't.

I wanted to try waiting it out and just thought maybe something crawled up inside the engine bay or possibly SOMETHING to make my car smell this bad...

Fast Forward another week and my car literally smells like I left a rotting salmon in my car and smells disgusting--its repulsive.

I did not spill anything, never leave foot or leftovers in my car. It doesn't matter if the A/C is running or not. The smell is the worst when I first start it the next day in the morning and I have been using the feature to roll down the windows before I get in to deal with it a bit...

What the hell is this?????

THANKS!

[PeteM6]

Try changing your cabin filter.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Drew1204

Guys,

About two weeks ago I had my car transported in an enclosed carrier and shipped from IL to AZ.

The day I got my car back I noticed it smelled kind of weird almost like fish mixed with oil.

I thought it would just go away but it didn't.

I wanted to try waiting it out and just thought maybe something crawled up inside the engine bay or possibly SOMETHING to make my car smell this bad...

Fast Forward another week and my car literally smells like I left a rotting salmon in my car and smells disgusting--its repulsive.

I did not spill anything, never leave foot or leftovers in my car. It doesn't matter if the A/C is running or not. The smell is the worst when I first start it the next day in the morning and I have been using the feature to roll down the windows before I get in to deal with it a bit...

What the hell is this?????

THANKS!

Check every little crevice to make sure there isn't some kind of dead rodent or something. You may have to sniff to see where the source is. If it is coming from the carpet, maybe something foul was spilled in your car.

Good luck.

[Nelrock]

Sounds like somebody at the shipping company thought it'd be funny to dump a can of tuna juice in your car.
Decaying animals have a pretty distinct smell...I wouldn't classify it as "fishy".

[mskmatthews]

i own a restaurant and left 25lbs of shrimp in my car for a week while on vacation. needless to say, it was absolutely disgusting. thought about burning the car (not really!).
i used a gallon of odor ban from sams club, and treated the car, sprayed it completely, every day, with top down in garage until smell disappeared (took two weeks). no longer has the smell of a rotten whore.

[Blindside_137]

Look into something called 'auto aq'. My dad has worked with it on several cars and has gotten smoke smells and dog odors right out.

[ThunderMoose]

Mythbusters did a segment on this. Probably somebody left a decaying pig in your car.

[nick3753]

You definitely need to check every crevice of the car, both inside and out as mentioned above. More than likely there is some rodent that got in, but couldn't get out. I believe there was a post on here about a year ago with a similar problem where the owner had to remove panels from the front end somewhere to find the dead rat.

[desertfox73]

i just threw up a little bit in my mouth. and how does anyone know what a rotten whore smell like?

[mazing]

That stinks (no pun intended) I can't help but think of the Seinfeld episode with the BBO (Beyond B O). You need to check the entire interior and also change cabin filter. Try febreeze on the rugs and if you can leave the car open let it air a bit. If that doesn't work bring to a detailer. I would also contact the shipping company and give them so hell. They may cover the cost (may not) but its worth a shot to ask since you are going to be out the money to clear the mess up anyhow.

[mdosu]

i would guess someone left some food in your car, check under the carpet and under you seat.

One one to figure out if it's coming from the vents or from inside is, if you shut off all the vents does the smell stay or coming comes when the vents are opened?

[L4ces]

What about Omega-3 Fish oil tablets dissolving in you glove compartment, or under tour seat from heat.

I often got a whiff of rotten fish throughout the day, sometimes at work, home etc. I used to think it was my wife, then I thought ah, my coworker. But later realized it was me. The cause? My jacket had a dissolved Fish oil tab and washing it didn't help. It was a faint smell that was hard to locate.

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by L4ces

What about Omega-3 Fish oil tablets dissolving in you glove compartment, or under tour seat from heat.

I often got a whiff of rotten fish throughout the day, sometimes at work, home etc. I used to think it was my wife, then I thought ah, my coworker. But later realized it was me. The cause? My jacket had a dissolved Fish oil tab and washing it didn't help. It was a faint smell that was hard to locate.

I find rhis thread kind of funny... I tried to contribute some humor lol:

[M3Bahn]

Originally Posted by L4ces

What about Omega-3 Fish oil tablets dissolving in you glove compartment, or under tour seat from heat.

I often got a whiff of rotten fish throughout the day, sometimes at work, home etc. I used to think it was my wife, then I thought ah, my coworker. But later realized it was me. The cause? My jacket had a dissolved Fish oil tab and washing it didn't help. It was a faint smell that was hard to locate.

Would have been funnier if you didn't figure it out until after the divorce.

[L4ces]

Lol lol: This thread is killing me lol:

[templarklimek]

I had similar situation, I used one of those big orange scented room deodorizers that had bading soda in it. Sucked up the odors right away. Get a few and leave em in the car overnight. Perhaps also a baking soda box in a little tray, maybe 2. then leave overnight

[L4ces]

Just remembered a tip from one the home shows. Charcoal is a great at absorbing odors. Get a container, fill it with charcoal and leave it in your car. Don't use the quick light kind, just plain and simple charcoal.

It was also recorded for placing around home as well etc...

And I am being serious, not some giddy weird mode that some how overcame me.

[L4ces]

recommended instead of recorded (... typical iPhone typo).

Originally Posted by L4ces

Just remembered a tip from one the home shows. Charcoal is a great at absorbing odors. Get a container, fill it with charcoal and leave it in your car. Don't use the quick light kind, just plain and simple charcoal.

It was also recorded for placing around home as well etc...

And I am being serious, not some giddy weird mode that some how overcame me.

[Drew1204]

Thanks guys,

I found this link:

http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/AC/smell.htm

I am going to check every crevice and see what I can find. Most likely I am going to take it to the dealership.

[ss134]

Originally Posted by mskmatthews

i own a restaurant and left 25lbs of shrimp in my car for a week while on vacation. needless to say, it was absolutely disgusting. thought about burning the car (not really!).
i used a gallon of odor ban from sams club, and treated the car, sprayed it completely, every day, with top down in garage until smell disappeared (took two weeks). no longer has the smell of a rotten whore.

25lbs of shrimp?? - i don't even let my kids eat a bag of crisps in my car.

[haze gray]

Concur, I don't let my kids ride in my car, much less eat food.

Just kidding, they ride, but no food.

[Templar]

Putting stuff in your car like that won't help get rid of the smell until you find the source.

You need to find the source. It might make you puke, but you need to sniff around until you see where it's coming from. A smell like that doesn't just "happen" out of nowhere. There is something causing it, and until you find it, you're gonna be stuck with it.

Good luck!