Egg smell coming through vents

[SnackBox]

Have a 07 1.8 S40 that recently started to give off a smell of egg or sewage from the vents. Only tends to happen when I take off or just before I come to a stop.

Got the emissions tested the other day and the readings are all perfect. Changed the pollen filter today and it's still doing it. Though slightly improved. Battery is also perfect.

It's not doing it when I set the fans to re-circulate only when I'm drawing air in.

I've ordered one of those ac cleaner or air bomb things and should have it tomorrow but I've a feeling it's not going to make a difference as it doesn't happen when I re-circulate the air...

Kind of at a loss now. Cat is good according to emission test but I'm wondering is it still possible that it's from the cat. Bad fuel ? I dunno if I should drive it up the motorway in 4th gear or am I wasting time.

[fifthwheel]

Originally Posted by SnackBox

Have a 07 1.8 S40 that recently started to give off a smell of egg or sewage from the vents. Only tends to happen when I take off or just before I come to a stop.

Got the emissions tested the other day and the readings are all perfect. Changed the pollen filter today and it's still doing it. Though slightly improved. Battery is also perfect.

It's not doing it when I set the fans to re-circulate only when I'm drawing air in.

I've ordered one of those ac cleaner or air bomb things and should have it tomorrow but I've a feeling it's not going to make a difference as it doesn't happen when I re-circulate the air...

Kind of at a loss now. Cat is good according to emission test but I'm wondering is it still possible that it's from the cat. Bad fuel ? I dunno if I should drive it up the motorway in 4th gear or am I wasting time.

We have the same problem with a w204 Merc, our problem is somebody put washing up liquid in the screen wash bottle instead of the correct screen wash. It has started to gel and stinks like a toilet. Another thing, is your battery being overcharged and boiling?

[SnackBox]

Screen wash sort of makes sense, the washer pump isnt actually working properly on it at the moment so it doesnt see a lot of use. I'll check it out and post back. Cheers

[Clan]

Originally Posted by SnackBox

Have a 07 1.8 S40 that recently started to give off a smell of egg or sewage from the vents. Only tends to happen when I take off or just before I come to a stop.

Got the emissions tested the other day and the readings are all perfect. Changed the pollen filter today and it's still doing it. Though slightly improved. Battery is also perfect.

It's not doing it when I set the fans to re-circulate only when I'm drawing air in.

I've ordered one of those ac cleaner or air bomb things and should have it tomorrow but I've a feeling it's not going to make a difference as it doesn't happen when I re-circulate the air...

Kind of at a loss now. Cat is good according to emission test but I'm wondering is it still possible that it's from the cat. Bad fuel ? I dunno if I should drive it up the motorway in 4th gear or am I wasting time.

Yes screen wash full of bacteria .. you will have to clean it all out .. you don't use volvo wash fluid do you ... IT contains an agent to kill bacteria...

[SnackBox]

Originally Posted by Clan

Yes screen wash full of bacteria .. you will have to clean it all out .. you don't use volvo wash fluid do you ... IT contains an agent to kill bacteria...

Went out earlier and had a look and yeah I'm quite sure that it's the screen wash. The stench when you smell inside the cap is pretty much what I was getting inside. Gonna dig further into it tomorrow as there either a leak or the pump isn't connected to the reservoir properly.

And no I don't use that one, I used a Halfords one last time but like I said it's not working properly so sees little use. I'll have a look around for a decent one anyways. Cheers.

[Dancake]

There's no substitute for removing the washer fluid bottle to clean it. In my experience the eggy smell is normally accompanied by bacterial slime. This slime blocks the washer pump filter, reducing its efficiency or stopping it from working at all. Once you have it cleaned out, switch over to either Volvo or Prestone screenwash, or add some disinfectant every so often if continuing to use cheaper screenwash alternatives.

[Iceonfire]

Could it be a broken catalytic converter. Seen this mentioned on wheeler dealers.

[SnackBox]

Yeah quite certain now that it was the screen wash. Ran some dettol disinfectant through it a couple of times and set off an air bomb and it seems to have done the job. Now I just need to fix the pump.