Something smells ?

[OldGuyNewJeep]

3+ years and almost $40,000 miles on my 2dr manual, and all of a sudden I’m noticing a smell when I get in after the Jeep has been sitting. I don’t really notice it when driving. (Nose blind?)

It doesn’t smell like clutch, which is my biggest worry with the recalls (I’ve had both done). It doesn’t smell like brakes, and not really like burnt motor oil, although that would be the closest thing I can recognize.

Honestly, my first thought was that it smells like an extinguished cigarette, but that’s not a possibility.

It may be worth mentioning that I hadn’t run the HVAC for quite a few weeks because the weather was nice and I had the top down. Now it’s swampy and I’ve been regularly blasting the A/C.

Any ideas on what I should look out for?

I’m going to change my cabin filter and maybe run my ozone machine with A/C set to recirculate, but I thought I’d post in case my “smells kinda like cigarettes” rings a bell with anyone. Nothing is leaking, that I can see…

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[jlang]

3+ years and almost $40,000 miles on my 2dr manual, and all of a sudden I’m noticing a smell when I get in after the Jeep has been sitting. I don’t really notice it when driving. (Nose blind?)

It doesn’t smell like clutch, which is my biggest worry with the recalls (I’ve had both done). It doesn’t smell like brakes, and not really like burnt motor oil, although that would be the closest thing I can recognize.

Honestly, my first thought was that it smells like an extinguished cigarette, but that’s not a possibility.

It may be worth mentioning that I hadn’t run the HVAC for quite a few weeks because the weather was nice and I had the top down. Now it’s swampy and I’ve been regularly blasting the A/C.

Any ideas on what I should look out for?

I’m going to change my cabin filter and maybe run my ozone machine with A/C set to recirculate, but I thought I’d post in case my “smells kinda like cigarettes” rings a bell with anyone. Nothing is leaking, that I can see…

Not sure here- I know my wifes GC smells like cat piss after it rains and sits for a while. Has it rained recently?

 

[entropy]

3+ years and almost $40,000 miles on my 2dr manual, and all of a sudden I’m noticing a smell when I get in after the Jeep has been sitting. I don’t really notice it when driving. (Nose blind?)

It doesn’t smell like clutch, which is my biggest worry with the recalls (I’ve had both done). It doesn’t smell like brakes, and not really like burnt motor oil, although that would be the closest thing I can recognize.

Honestly, my first thought was that it smells like an extinguished cigarette, but that’s not a possibility.

It may be worth mentioning that I hadn’t run the HVAC for quite a few weeks because the weather was nice and I had the top down. Now it’s swampy and I’ve been regularly blasting the A/C.

Any ideas on what I should look out for?

I’m going to change my cabin filter and maybe run my ozone machine with A/C set to recirculate, but I thought I’d post in case my “smells kinda like cigarettes” rings a bell with anyone. Nothing is leaking, that I can see…

Check for mice. or rats.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Not sure here- I know my wifes GC smells like cat piss after it rains and sits for a while. Has it rained recently?

Tons, but it’s garaged. That said, my garage is smelling pretty musty from all the recent rain and humidity. You may be on to something! I will stick a dehumidifier in there overnight and change my cabin filter.

Check for mice. or rats.

Oof. Thankfully not that. It’s garaged and I have an indoor/outdoor cat that keeps critters away. (Also have mice bait tucked away in several places throughout the garage and basement.)

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Never park with your AC set to max or recirculate. Doing so leaves the system sealed from ouside air so the condensation has no way to dry out. After awhile mold and mildew grow.

 

[LittleDog]

I'd pop the hood and take a whiff, and sniff around in general. Humidity does make it easier to smell things that you have acclimated (become nose-blind) to.

Had an old car that had parked overnight over a dead opossum. Smelled like death for over a year, every time it rained or was humid.

Another car had green curry spilled in the back. Smelled fantastic every summer.

Do you have dashcams or lighting wired?

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

I'd pop the hood and take a whiff, and sniff around in general. Humidity does make it easier to smell things that you have acclimated (become nose-blind) to.

Had an old car that had parked overnight over a dead opossum. Smelled like death for over a year, every time it rained or was humid.

Another car had green curry spilled in the back. Smelled fantastic every summer.

Do you have dashcams or lighting wired?

Can’t smell any under the hood, and no aftermarket wiring.

I think you guys hinting at moisture are probably right.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Never park with you AC set to max or recirculate. Doing so leaves the system sealed from ouside air so the condensation has no way to dry out. After awhile mold and mildew grow.

I keep it set to auto. I wonder if that ever sets it to recirculate?

As soon as we get back to dry heat I will be parking outside in the sun to really bake out any moisture. Hopefully my dehumidifier in the garage will help in the meantime. The weather in CT has been awful for the past couple of weeks.

 

[EJWF11]

Heater core…. Google it.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Also, if you have a cabin air filter change that out too. I've seen them soaking wet from ACs left on recirculate/max.

 

[haidenlu]

It is a good idea to install a drain tube for the moonroof. I would also recommend pulling back the carpet behind the rear bench seats to see if anything is coming through the rear window. I had a similar smell issue after a rain and we had a faulty seal on the rear slider. Replaced under warranty and four years later no issues.

 

[2nd 392]

Have you had the AC serviced? Had a similar problem, noticed the passenger carpet wet. Low freon was causing the inside unit to ice when on high, then drip when it melted.

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