6th Gen ('00-'05): Funky smell (my son says smells like fish)
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 73
Funky smell (my son says smells like fish)
I've noticed a smell recently that seems to dissipate as the day goes on but never goes away. It's strongest in the morning. My son tells me it's coming from the air conditioner vent. There is nothing spilled or moldy under the seat. Any ideas? '02 MC SS
How many miles on your Monte ?
Does it have the stock catalytic converter ?
Does it have the stock catalytic converter ?
ROTTEN EGGS
WHEN: Any time your engine is running.
THE CULPRIT: Hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust, which is produced by trace amounts of sulfur in gasoline. It's supposed to be converted to sulfur dioxide in your catalytic converter. This may be indicative of a fuel-injection problem, and can be cured by a sharp mechanic. But often it means a failed catalytic converter. The bad news: A new cat is expensive. The good news is it's probably covered under warranty. Check with your dealer.
WHEN: Any time your engine is running.
THE CULPRIT: Hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust, which is produced by trace amounts of sulfur in gasoline. It's supposed to be converted to sulfur dioxide in your catalytic converter. This may be indicative of a fuel-injection problem, and can be cured by a sharp mechanic. But often it means a failed catalytic converter. The bad news: A new cat is expensive. The good news is it's probably covered under warranty. Check with your dealer.
Check the below links to see if they help, plus check back
to see what our expert member's post.
Good Luck
Auto Diagnosis - What's That Smell?
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Does Your Car Smell Funny? | Bottom Line Personalto see what our expert member's post.
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Auto Diagnosis - What's That Smell?
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bottomlinepersonal.com/does-your-car-smell-funny/
Jul 15, 2010 - Here are 7 car smells...their causes and how to get rid of them... ... Thebad news is that small leaks often become bigger leaks. If the oil smell is ...
Weird Car Air Conditioner Smell: What It Means and How to ...
www.carsdirect.com › Car Maintenance › Interior Car Maintenance
When you turn on the air conditioner in your car, do you often have a distinct car air ... This can result in a bad smell every time you turn on your air conditioner.
Last edited by BeachBumMike; Mar 16, 2016 at 04:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 73
I wish a can of lysol would solve this but I doubt it's my son's girlfriend.
The smell is strongest before I start the car in the morning. In reading the lit you posted it maybe a clogged condensation drain from the air conditioner. Where would I find the drain? Is it accessible from above or below?
The smell is strongest before I start the car in the morning. In reading the lit you posted it maybe a clogged condensation drain from the air conditioner. Where would I find the drain? Is it accessible from above or below?
I wish a can of lysol would solve this but I doubt it's my son's girlfriend.
The smell is strongest before I start the car in the morning. In reading the lit you posted it maybe a clogged condensation drain from the air conditioner. Where would I find the drain? Is it accessible from above or below?
The smell is strongest before I start the car in the morning. In reading the lit you posted it maybe a clogged condensation drain from the air conditioner. Where would I find the drain? Is it accessible from above or below?
Click the above link: It has pictures, and a video to help
Good Luck & Keep us updated `OK >Good Luck
Good Luck 
Monte Of The Month -- January 2016
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,293
From: Pacific NW
In addition to unclogging the drain, it would be a good idea to clean the evaporator.
For our cars, putting it up on a lift is not necessary as the following video describes. Just remove the rubber 90o elbow for the condensate drain located at the firewall and inject the foam through the drain.
For our cars, putting it up on a lift is not necessary as the following video describes. Just remove the rubber 90o elbow for the condensate drain located at the firewall and inject the foam through the drain.
Last edited by plumbob; Mar 16, 2016 at 05:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 73
It's definitely coolant on the passanger side floor. The low coolant light came on the morning as well. Does this mean that the heating core has to be replaced or could it be plugged? I'm hoping for a way to repair without taking apart the dash.
Can I bypass the heating core for a time? I'm in San Diego and probably won't need my heater again until November. Or is that asking for trouble?
Can I bypass the heating core for a time? I'm in San Diego and probably won't need my heater again until November. Or is that asking for trouble?
Monte Of The Month -- January 2016
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,293
From: Pacific NW
Heater core replacement is a tough one. Yes , the whole dash does have to come apart to repair/replace it, but you can bypass it by disconnecting and looping one of the hoses that go through the firewall into the two heater/coolant elbows. Use bulk heater hose so you don't mess up the molded ones.
Before you commit to bypassing make sure the leak is not from a cracked plastic coolant/heater elbow or hose connection at one of the nipples at the firewall that might be spraying in through the cabin air filter or one of the nipples penetrations through the firewall. I had a leak that you couldn't even see because it was under a hose clamp. As the rubber ages it degrades under the hose clamp.
Before you commit to bypassing make sure the leak is not from a cracked plastic coolant/heater elbow or hose connection at one of the nipples at the firewall that might be spraying in through the cabin air filter or one of the nipples penetrations through the firewall. I had a leak that you couldn't even see because it was under a hose clamp. As the rubber ages it degrades under the hose clamp.