S40 (New) General : - I love my S40, but it's smelly!

Thunderdarts · Mar 12th, 2009, 16:45

Hi all (I'm a new user so please be gentle!)

We've got a 2005 S40 D SE (got it about 6 months ago).

We absolutely love it, however, about a month ago we started to get a really 'eggy' smell - evident when taking off just after starting, and VERY evident when giving it a little go-go (take-off from junctions, etc...) especially around third gear.

The day before we took it to a dealer, I gave it a good wash, and the smell vanished (ordinary hose & sponge) - hence no smell for the dealer to detect anything! Three weeks later, and it's back with a vengeance!

The car is clean, and I've read bit about catalytic converters and alternators overcharging batteriesm but I'm unsure where to go from here.

Any ideas? Thanks folks.

Greg.

Harvey1512 · Mar 12th, 2009, 19:29

That smell is synonymous with catalytic convertors so you can probably stop cleaning the inside of the car. What to do about it is a technical matter so be patient and someone on here should help you.

I have had it before on other cars but only for a few seconds before it disappeared. That was long enough mind.

Thunderdarts · Mar 16th, 2009, 17:13

Thanks Harvey - no easy solution in sight - I had it at a dealer on Saturday - they did a full diagnostic check on it and all was clear.

They gave predictable advice regarding the 'cat', i.e. "change fuel supplier" And "short runs as opposed to motorway driving seem to affect it, but moreso in a petrol engine".

He also told us that a new cat could be £700 - £800 with their labour costs in the garage being £80 per hour. Christ.

Thankfully it has eased off as that run was about 100 odd miles round trip, but I've yet to be reassured! I dunno what to do if/when it comes back. I really hope it's not a £1000 solution. Myself & yourself couldn't be the only folk to have experienced this, could we?

Harvey1512 · Mar 16th, 2009, 19:17

I'm surprised no one has come back on this. It may be that there is no obvious answer so people, quite wisely, are not guessing in the dark. It may be a good blast on the motorway every so often will clear the exhaust out. I know that is what people recommended when cats first came out, 20 minutes at 70mph was the advice I seem to remember. If the smell improved after your 100 mile trip then that may hold a clue.

I do remember the smell was quite awful on the occasions that I came across it but thankfully it was only ever fleeting. I do have sympathy and hope you can resolve this.

My thoughts on this are only an educated guess by the way. There may be other suggestions out there.

Thunderdarts · Mar 16th, 2009, 20:10

Many thanks Harvey - so far so good.

I'm taking the solution as: when you smell it - take a road trip holiday!

Cheers.

Greg.

Loui · Mar 17th, 2009, 19:42

If the smell is organic or dampish and not so much eggy, it may just be that your aircon system needs an anti bacterial spray or bomb as they are sometimes known, It is an aerosol that you place in the car with the engine running and aircon on, you then set it off by self latching and close the doors with the aircon on recirculating for about five mins. This kills all the bugs causing any nasty smells you get when starting off. Have used it myself on previous cars and worked a treat.Hope this helps..

nickcuk · Apr 25th, 2009, 23:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderdarts

Hi all (I'm a new user so please be gentle!)

We've got a 2005 S40 D SE (got it about 6 months ago).

We absolutely love it, however, about a month ago we started to get a really 'eggy' smell - evident when taking off just after starting, and VERY evident when giving it a little go-go (take-off from junctions, etc...) especially around third gear.

The day before we took it to a dealer, I gave it a good wash, and the smell vanished (ordinary hose & sponge) - hence no smell for the dealer to detect anything! Three weeks later, and it's back with a vengeance!

The car is clean, and I've read bit about catalytic converters and alternators overcharging batteriesm but I'm unsure where to go from here.

Any ideas? Thanks folks.

Greg.

I had the same problem - mixed with a general oily smell - and found that the tosser who chose this as a company car and left it for me to kill set the fan speed as low. Once it was set to normal, the smell disappeared.

Thunderdarts · Jun 30th, 2009, 23:33

Hi all - Sorry to bring this up again - I just wanted to pick your collective brain to see if anyone has found any fix to the stinky *rotten egg in the cabin* catalytic converter issue?

Our machine is a 2005 S40 2.0D SE - we did find a good run on the motorway for 30-60 minutes helps, but the problem seems to have returned and is harder to shift.

I was wondering if there are any reliable fuel additives out there to 'clean' the cat (We were quoted £800 (Part only) to replace it!)

Any ideas/thoughts/solutions are most welcome.

Thanks all.

Greg.

alfiembra · Jul 1st, 2009, 07:33

Just jumped in here so not read the whole thread, are you sure it's not an air con problem, have you tried the bacteria killer 'bombs' you can get from Halfrauds. If you are looking for a good fuel additive, I'd recommend Miller sport 4+ great for injectors don't know if it'll help the CAT though.

Alan

HEAVY747 · Jul 2nd, 2009, 22:07

Smelly feet maybe just a thought?

Mar 12th, 2009, 16:45	#1
Thunderdarts New Member Last Online: Dec 20th, 2010 15:09 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Co. Derry	I love my S40, but it's smelly! Hi all (I'm a new user so please be gentle!) We've got a 2005 S40 D SE (got it about 6 months ago). We absolutely love it, however, about a month ago we started to get a really 'eggy' smell - evident when taking off just after starting, and VERY evident when giving it a little go-go (take-off from junctions, etc...) especially around third gear. The day before we took it to a dealer, I gave it a good wash, and the smell vanished (ordinary hose & sponge) - hence no smell for the dealer to detect anything! Three weeks later, and it's back with a vengeance! The car is clean, and I've read bit about catalytic converters and alternators overcharging batteriesm but I'm unsure where to go from here. Any ideas? Thanks folks. Greg.

Mar 16th, 2009, 17:13	#3
Thunderdarts New Member Last Online: Dec 20th, 2010 15:09 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Co. Derry	Thanks Harvey - no easy solution in sight - I had it at a dealer on Saturday - they did a full diagnostic check on it and all was clear. They gave predictable advice regarding the 'cat', i.e. "change fuel supplier" And "short runs as opposed to motorway driving seem to affect it, but moreso in a petrol engine". He also told us that a new cat could be £700 - £800 with their labour costs in the garage being £80 per hour. Christ. Thankfully it has eased off as that run was about 100 odd miles round trip, but I've yet to be reassured! I dunno what to do if/when it comes back. I really hope it's not a £1000 solution. Myself & yourself couldn't be the only folk to have experienced this, could we? __________________ 2005 S40 D SE Metallic Purple (Much Nicer Than It Sounds!) No Mod Cons. Yet... Last edited by Thunderdarts; Mar 16th, 2009 at 17:31. Reason: Adding Signature

Mar 16th, 2009, 20:10	#5
Thunderdarts New Member Last Online: Dec 20th, 2010 15:09 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Co. Derry	Many thanks Harvey - so far so good. I'm taking the solution as: when you smell it - take a road trip holiday! Cheers. Greg. __________________ 2005 S40 D SE Metallic Purple (Much Nicer Than It Sounds!) No Mod Cons. Yet...

Jun 30th, 2009, 23:33	#8
Thunderdarts New Member Last Online: Dec 20th, 2010 15:09 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Co. Derry	Hi all - Sorry to bring this up again - I just wanted to pick your collective brain to see if anyone has found any fix to the stinky rotten egg in the cabin catalytic converter issue? Our machine is a 2005 S40 2.0D SE - we did find a good run on the motorway for 30-60 minutes helps, but the problem seems to have returned and is harder to shift. I was wondering if there are any reliable fuel additives out there to 'clean' the cat (We were quoted £800 (Part only) to replace it!) Any ideas/thoughts/solutions are most welcome. Thanks all. Greg. __________________ 2005 S40 D SE Metallic Purple (Much Nicer Than It Sounds!) No Mod Cons. Yet...

Mar 12th, 2009, 19:29	#2
Harvey1512 Premier Member Last Online: Jan 30th, 2021 12:00 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northumberland	That smell is synonymous with catalytic convertors so you can probably stop cleaning the inside of the car. What to do about it is a technical matter so be patient and someone on here should help you. I have had it before on other cars but only for a few seconds before it disappeared. That was long enough mind.

Mar 16th, 2009, 19:17	#4
Harvey1512 Premier Member Last Online: Jan 30th, 2021 12:00 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northumberland	I'm surprised no one has come back on this. It may be that there is no obvious answer so people, quite wisely, are not guessing in the dark. It may be a good blast on the motorway every so often will clear the exhaust out. I know that is what people recommended when cats first came out, 20 minutes at 70mph was the advice I seem to remember. If the smell improved after your 100 mile trip then that may hold a clue. I do remember the smell was quite awful on the occasions that I came across it but thankfully it was only ever fleeting. I do have sympathy and hope you can resolve this. My thoughts on this are only an educated guess by the way. There may be other suggestions out there.

Mar 17th, 2009, 19:42	#6
Loui New Member Last Online: Jul 26th, 2009 17:37 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cardiff	If the smell is organic or dampish and not so much eggy, it may just be that your aircon system needs an anti bacterial spray or bomb as they are sometimes known, It is an aerosol that you place in the car with the engine running and aircon on, you then set it off by self latching and close the doors with the aircon on recirculating for about five mins. This kills all the bugs causing any nasty smells you get when starting off. Have used it myself on previous cars and worked a treat.Hope this helps..

Jul 1st, 2009, 07:33	#9
alfiembra Member Last Online: Sep 3rd, 2010 15:02 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Edinburgh	Just jumped in here so not read the whole thread, are you sure it's not an air con problem, have you tried the bacteria killer 'bombs' you can get from Halfrauds. If you are looking for a good fuel additive, I'd recommend Miller sport 4+ great for injectors don't know if it'll help the CAT though. Alan

Jul 2nd, 2009, 22:07	#10
HEAVY747 Junior Member Last Online: May 26th, 2018 20:10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: york	Smelly feet maybe just a thought?

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