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#1
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2003 X5 E53 smells like glue on start
I put a good amount of money into this car this year... hoping this is an easy fix. I need to get a few more years out my sweet girl!
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--------------------------------------------- 2003 X5 3.0i M54 Silver (build 07/03) 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB 1994 Ferrari 348TS Speciale #14/15 1989 Ferrari Testarossa |
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#2
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Does it smell stronger on one side more than the other? If so it be from a leak in the A-pillar drain on that side or if from center console rear vent a broken seal for shifter linkage or spillage from cupholder there.
That's all the odd or abnormal ones I can think of if it's not coolant pinhole leak. Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk
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"When the Team Chief said.... You're trapped in a hole with nothing but a goat and a slinky, what do you do? Stubby said, I'm not sure but it won't end well for the goat...." ~(Overheard) Last day, Phase 3, Q Course |
#3
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It's definitely coming from the front center vents. Odd. Doesnt seem to be much about this online. I dont think it's my heater core bc no coolant lose at all.
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--------------------------------------------- 2003 X5 3.0i M54 Silver (build 07/03) 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB 1994 Ferrari 348TS Speciale #14/15 1989 Ferrari Testarossa |
#4
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Does it smell moldy? Use the AC a lot? Is the condensate water from the evaporator core draining away properly?
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2006 Infiniti G35 2001 BMW 3.0I E53 X5 Build date 08/2000 SOLD Lotus Europa 1970 Destroyed by fire Lotus Europa 1970 S2 Renault Powered Lotus Type 52 1970 Twincam Webers Powered PORSCHE 911 Targa 1982 The Garage Queen Audi Avant donated to Kars for Kids BMW 525IT Sold Audi 4000CS Quattro Sold Jensen Healey Lotus Powered Sold Opel 1900 Sold Triumph Spitfire 1971 Sold Triumph Spitfire 1968 Sold Plymouth "Cuda" 340 Six pack SOLD |
#5
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It's most likely the A/C evaporator or heater core leaking. You won't notice the drop in coolant level. Most shops that work with this type of thing will recognize the smell right away. You might try checking the A/C drains under the car for clues.
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1988 325is (purchased new) sold 2004 X5 3.0 2005 X3 2.5 2008 X5 3.0 (new to me) |
#6
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No definitely not moldy. I smells like glue... like some sort of adhesive. I have been using the av all summer, but that's just about over. I will see soon if the heat is working. Maybe I can deal with it by not using the blower for first few minutes of driving. To let the smell dissipate. This all only started back in April when the car was sitting due to covid. Seems to be getting worse a little though.
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--------------------------------------------- 2003 X5 3.0i M54 Silver (build 07/03) 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB 1994 Ferrari 348TS Speciale #14/15 1989 Ferrari Testarossa |
#7
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A/C refrigerant (R134a) smells a bit like butane.
Just sayin'...
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Wayne 2005 BMW X5 3.0d (b 02/05) 2001 BMW F650GS Dakar (b 06/01) |
#8
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When R12 was no longer available as an automotive refrigerant, people were using a cocktail mix of Butane as refrigerant to get back AC into their cars.
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2006 Infiniti G35 2001 BMW 3.0I E53 X5 Build date 08/2000 SOLD Lotus Europa 1970 Destroyed by fire Lotus Europa 1970 S2 Renault Powered Lotus Type 52 1970 Twincam Webers Powered PORSCHE 911 Targa 1982 The Garage Queen Audi Avant donated to Kars for Kids BMW 525IT Sold Audi 4000CS Quattro Sold Jensen Healey Lotus Powered Sold Opel 1900 Sold Triumph Spitfire 1971 Sold Triumph Spitfire 1968 Sold Plymouth "Cuda" 340 Six pack SOLD |
#9
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So today I got it. Blower off, drove like 5 minutes. Turned on fan and it smelled, so the short drive didn't flush it out. I think I had the setting to allow external air come in. Hmmm regarding the refrigerant. That could possibly be. My system was low and I filled it higher about 6 weeks ago and the car smells a lit since then. I didn't connect the two so not sure about exact timing if these are connected. Maybe I will evac the system and see if the smell goes away. Think my evap coil is leaking? I'll put some 134 in a bag and see what it smells like. Maybe it's a gas leaking out into the vent system while the car 8s sitting.
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--------------------------------------------- 2003 X5 3.0i M54 Silver (build 07/03) 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB 1994 Ferrari 348TS Speciale #14/15 1989 Ferrari Testarossa |
#10
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R134a is heavier than air, so a leak can leave pockets of it sitting in the footwells, deep in the vent systems etc. When you turn on the blower, it gets moved about. It dissipates pretty quickly and once it's gone, the leak is possibly too slow to leave a detectable smell. Until it sits again....
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Wayne 2005 BMW X5 3.0d (b 02/05) 2001 BMW F650GS Dakar (b 06/01) |
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