Hello, so. I recently bought a 2nd hand car. there was a ...


Hello, so. I recently bought a 2nd hand car. there was a strong smell of a mixture of things including smoke. also a broken ac compressor. I replaced the seats, cleaned the carpets and once aired out there's not much smell. When I...

Hello, so. I recently bought a 2nd hand car. there was a strong smell of a mixture of things including smoke. also a broken ac compressor. I replaced the seats, cleaned the carpets and once aired out there's not much smell. When I drive however, the smell becomes more prominent, it's a smell that makes me feel somewhat sleepy/unpleasent like my bodies not supposed to breath it in. Does this sound like the A/C? I assumed so and so used a A/C cleaning spray in the part where the cabin filter goes, the outside intake and up the drain bit under the glovebox (mazda 3, 2014). The smell seemed to go.I noticed however, even though I had the A/C running for 20-30 mins there wasn't as much water draining on the bottom as I thought, maybe 10ml. Also today (24 hours later) I went for a drive and the smell is coming back a little.what do you think is causing the smell? How should I fix it? Do you think my a/c drain is slightly blocked, or maybe the tray isn't tilted correctly (handyman at work mentioned something about a tray)? A bit lost with what to do!Sorry for the long story! ThanksBruno

Automotive Expert
Hi my name is \*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\* I'll try to help you with this issue, the website may ask if you want a call, but that is up to you. So if it is a cigarrette smell, try cleaning the drain, and change the cabin air filter and clean the trunk as well, then you may want have the exhaust checked to be sure you don't have exhaust getting into the car.

you don't think it sounds like a block anywhere?
Automotive Expert
Sorry I did not see this response, no I don't think it's block you can check it but that would not cause a smoke smell.You could also look to see if you have a valve cover leak.

It's not a smoke smell now it's a kind of unpleasent humid air, I don't really know how to describe it. As I'm cleaning other fabrics the smell has become non-smokey
Automotive Expert
Not sure what it is as I cannot smell it , are you loosing any coolant and does it have a sweet smeel to it like antifreeze?

No sweet smell, how do I know if I'm losing coolant? Could you tell me tests I should do to find out what the cause is?
Automotive Expert
just keep an eye on the rad, to see if it is going down, and the water that is coming out of the ac drain is it clear or does it have coolant mixed in it/ if it is clear then your ok.

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