Egg smell coming through vents

SnackBox · Aug 22nd, 2019, 19:20

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 · Aug 22nd, 2019, 20:13

Quote:

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 · Aug 22nd, 2019, 20:26

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 · Aug 22nd, 2019, 21:50

Quote:

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 · Aug 22nd, 2019, 23:03

Quote:

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 · Aug 23rd, 2019, 07:18

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 · Aug 23rd, 2019, 07:27

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

SnackBox · Aug 23rd, 2019, 20:18

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.

Welton · Aug 27th, 2019, 11:38

I know the lid of the screenwash reservoir isn't air-tight but it's surprising that you'd smell it that much in the car.......the smelly water could have collected at the bottom of the windscreen scuttle more likely....be worth checking the drain tubes are clear at the bulkhead so you don't have water collecting there.

SnackBox · Aug 27th, 2019, 20:43

Yeah I'm a bit intrigued as to how I was smelling it at all without even using the screen wash. Like I had said in my OP that I was getting the whiff when taking off, speed ramps and breaking. Smell hasn't returned since anyways.

While your here Welton, I had a quick read of your thread about the washer pump replacement from a couple of years back a few days ago. I see that yours was for the 5 cylinder but I don't suppose you know much about the 4 cylinders ? Or anyone else ? I can get my hand on the pump but no clue how to get it off. I reckon fixing it is the only way I can keep the water from not going bad.

Aug 22nd, 2019, 19:20	#1
SnackBox New Member Last Online: Nov 12th, 2019 21:29 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Dublin	Egg smell coming through vents 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.

Aug 23rd, 2019, 07:18	#6
Dancake Premier Member Last Online: Today 01:43 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Belfast	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. __________________ 1996 850 T5 - Sold 2003 S40 1.9d - Sold 2004 S60 D5

Aug 27th, 2019, 11:38	#9
Welton Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Market Harborough	I know the lid of the screenwash reservoir isn't air-tight but it's surprising that you'd smell it that much in the car.......the smelly water could have collected at the bottom of the windscreen scuttle more likely....be worth checking the drain tubes are clear at the bulkhead so you don't have water collecting there. __________________ 2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?)

Aug 22nd, 2019, 20:26	#3
SnackBox New Member Last Online: Nov 12th, 2019 21:29 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Dublin	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

Aug 23rd, 2019, 07:27	#7
Iceonfire Junior Member Last Online: Yesterday 19:52 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Carlisle	Could it be a broken catalytic converter. Seen this mentioned on wheeler dealers.

Aug 23rd, 2019, 20:18	#8
SnackBox New Member Last Online: Nov 12th, 2019 21:29 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Dublin	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.

Aug 27th, 2019, 20:43	#10
SnackBox New Member Last Online: Nov 12th, 2019 21:29 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Dublin	Yeah I'm a bit intrigued as to how I was smelling it at all without even using the screen wash. Like I had said in my OP that I was getting the whiff when taking off, speed ramps and breaking. Smell hasn't returned since anyways. While your here Welton, I had a quick read of your thread about the washer pump replacement from a couple of years back a few days ago. I see that yours was for the 5 cylinder but I don't suppose you know much about the 4 cylinders ? Or anyone else ? I can get my hand on the pump but no clue how to get it off. I reckon fixing it is the only way I can keep the water from not going bad.

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