Soap smell coming out of car after cabin change. Changed filter the the smell is still coming. What to do about this strong smell?

Theirs a soapy smell coming out of car after cabin filter change at dealership. Changed filter again smell is still coming why? Dealership also said car also had an hvac filter what is that? How do i get rid of this smell?

My car has 35481 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi There,
As you know, your car has a cabin filter that serves to filter the air that is introduced to the cabin inside the vehicle. The best way to remove your cars interior ac odor is to use a cleaner that uses enzymes. Enzymes in cleaners kill odors at the source and completely kill the smelly substance material and therefore stopping the a bad smell. To get rid of the smell, try the following: First turn on the ac to full, make sure the “recirculate” button is not on, spray a large amount of cleaner with odor killing enzymes into the EXTERIOR air intakes that are located just below the windshield wipers, let the car run for about 10 minutes with the ac on, after 10 minutes turn off ac and spray the cleaner into the ac vents on the INSIDE of your car. After doing all this, let the car sit for 20 minutes turned off and windows rolled up. Then repeat if the smell is still in the car. By doing this you are killing the bacteria or mold in the car ac vent ducts and also the evaporator mold that may be present.

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Just a note: If replacing your cabin air filter doesn`t eliminate that musty smell coming from the vents when the a/c is running, it is possible mold or mildew has built up inside your system`s evaporator.
If you`ve found yourself buying one too many air fresheners to cover a bad scent, failing to change your cabin air filter may be to blame. And aside from the gross smells, having a dirty car air filter can also affect your health.
To get rid of the smell, try the following: First turn on the ac to full, make sure the “recirculate” button is not on, spray a large amount of cleaner with odor killing enzymes into the EXTERIOR air intakes that are located just below the windshield wipers, let the car run for about 10 minutes with the ac on, after 10 …
A dirty cabin air filter can become a source of bad odors by trapping moisture and contaminants that promote bacterial growth. If your customer is complaining about a foul smell emanating from the interior of their car, it could be time for a “fresh” cabin air filter.
Not only will a new cabin air filter improve the quality of the air inside your vehicle, but it will also significantly improve the airflow from your vehicle`s heating and air conditioning system.
Are you wondering if it is time to change your cabin air filter? According to most of the experts in the automotive industry, it is a good idea to change the air filter every 15,000 miles.
Unfortunately, many laundry products contain synthetic fragrances, which can be toxic. Some people feel sick when inhaling scents, which can even cause headaches, shortness of breath, flu-like symptoms, and even cancer.
In most cases, you`re probably using too much detergent. Even the recommended amount is usually more than you actually need. Try an extra rinse cycle, or even an extra full cycle with no detergent at all. As others have said, there may be perfumes from the detergent.
Soak the soap in warm water to dissolve it. Because of its absorbency, adding vinegar to the water speeds up the process. Cover the affected areas of the carpet with a mixture of water and vinegar. You can also soak a towel in the mixture and wipe the soap from the carpet with a wet cloth.
Believe it or not, your cabin filter can affect your AC system, and the AC can have a strong impact on the power of the entire vehicle. If your filter is clogged, then you might have to turn up the AC. The harder your AC works, the more the engine does, too.
A dirty air filter can make your home smell musty and stale. A weaker airflow prevents air from adequately circulating through your home, letting bad smells from cooking or other activities linger longer.
If you don`t change your cabin air filter, the filter will become more clogged with dirt and debris and the efficiency of the filter and your car`s HVAC system will be compromised. The air volume into your passenger compartment will be continually reduced which will lead to the issue of foul odors inside your car.
Cabin air filters can capture dust, bugs, leaves, and other various types of debris. A dirty air filter can certainly impede your air conditioner`s ability to cool and after time could cause unnecessary strain on the entire system. Another common potential reason is that your compressor has failed.
If the car`s air filter isn`t doing its job, then dirt can enter the engine and make its way into the oil supply over time. This can wreak havoc on expensive internal components of the engine, such as the valves and valve seats, piston rings and cylinder walls.
Engine misfires, rough idling and hard starts can all be traced to a clogged engine air filter. The dirty air filter restricts the air supply to the engine causing unburned fuel to form a soot residue that accumulates on the spark plug.
Just like air filters, different vehicles use different cabin air filters. You need to make sure you pick the proper one for your vehicle.
One of the main reasons` engine air filters tend to reduce engine power is dirt. Simply replacing your engine air filter can increase horsepower and, in some cases, even improve mileage.
In general, though, most cabin air filters should be replaced somewhere between every 15,000 and 30,000 miles. You may also notice any of the following signs: Reduced air flow when climate control systems are on. Lingering unpleasant odors.
Phantosmia is a disorder linked to a person`s sense of smell. It happens when a person can smell something that is not there. The smell may only appear on one side of the nose, or it may affect both nostrils. Phantosmia is relatively uncommon.
Mix one cup baking soda, one half cup Borax with one cup white vinegar and 20 drops of lemon or orange citrus oil. Add this mixture to your bottle of laundry detergent and use as normal.
The primary culprits are bacteria, sweat and body oils, which build up inside synthetic fabrics and cause a literal stink. In addition to subjecting gym apparel to large quantities of the above, the fabric they`re made from is another odor contributor.
But the heat generated from direct sunlight bakes the soap onto your cars surface. This results in swirls being left on your paint, and certain soaps will even bake themselves into the paint leaving a lasting mark. The best thing to do is wash your car under shade, and away from direct sunlight.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Soap smell coming out of car after cabin change. Changed filter the the smell is still coming. What to do about this strong smell?
ANSWER : Hi There,
As you know, your car has a cabin filter that serves to filter the air that is introduced to the cabin inside the vehicle. The best way to remove your cars interior ac odor is to use a cleaner that uses enzymes. Enzymes in cleaners kill odors at the source and completely kill the smelly substance material and therefore stopping the a bad smell. To get rid of the smell, try the following: First turn on the ac to full, make sure the “recirculate” button is not on, spray a large amount of cleaner with odor killing enzymes into the EXTERIOR air intakes that are located just below the windshield wipers, let the car run for about 10 minutes with the ac on, after 10 minutes turn off ac and spray the cleaner into the ac vents on the INSIDE of your car. After doing all this, let the car sit for 20 minutes turned off and windows rolled up. Then repeat if the smell is still in the car. By doing this you are killing the bacteria or mold in the car ac vent ducts and also the evaporator mold that may be present.

Exhaust smell in cabin while idling
ANSWER : Since you just had major engine repairs done and the exhaust system was disconnected and the manifolds were removed then you may have an exhaust leaking into the interior. You should have the a/c on recirculate air and not outside air to see if it helps not pulling n the exhaust fumes. Have the exhaust checked to see is it is leaking and fix the leak. If the dealer says it does not have a leak then have an independent mechanic or shop like one from YourMechanic to recheck the system for you.

Car won’t start. The check engine light, battery light, and oil change light are coming on. I tried jumping the car and nothing happened. Why won’t my car start?
ANSWER : Hi and thanks for contacting Your Mechanic. If sometimes your vehicle will start with the new alternator and sometimes it won’t, then there is a loose connection in your charging system. Check all of the wires to the alternator and to the battery. Make sure that the battery cables are clean and tight. Make sure that the wires to the starter are clean and tight. A loose ground to the ignition system will cause the vehicle to not crank over. Check all of the ground wires from the battery to the starter. Make sure that they are clean and tight. If you need further assistance troubleshooting your no start situation, then seek out a technician, such as one from Your Mechanic, that can assist you.

When I turn on my AC the radiator fans do not turn on. The fans do come on when the car warms up so I know they are working and the fuses are good. The AC compressor does come on and the air blows ice cold when the car is moving. Car is a 2006 Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2.7l v6.
ANSWER : The control circuit for the fans needs to be checked. For example, there is usually a condenser fan relay in the A/C electrical controls. There could be a fault with that relay and/or wiring problems, perhaps even just a loose connection, blown or loose fuse, and so forth. To resolve something like this, the recommended service is an electrical component diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic service, the responding certified mechanic will get the problem pinpointed and resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

PCV hose broke, car stalled, replaced hose, car still stalling. Smell of gas (rich exhaust smell).
ANSWER : Hello. You do likely have a major boost leak or vacuum leak present. Volkswagen’s are very sensitive to any type of vacuum leak. On Volkswagen’s, even if the oil dipstick is is removed it will produce a vacuum leak cause the engine to idle erratically. I suggest that a smoke test is performed on your vehicle by a shop or technician which well help find the leak(s). A different way to test it is to spray starting fluid around your areas where a vacuum leak might be. The RPM’s increasing when spraying starter fluid would indicate that there is a vacuum leak present nearby the area being sprayed.

Please keep in mind that the technicians here at YourMechanic can perform such diagnostics.

You are able to find a technician and schedule an appointment here

https://www.yourmechanic.com

A little bit of white smoke comes from the motor when I get off the highway and come to a complete stop. It smells like burning oil.
ANSWER : Hi there. It sounds like you may have an oil leak(s). The smoke and smell you are experiencing is the oil being burned off by the engine and exhaust heat. The source of the leak may be slightly difficult to pinpoint if it has been going on for a while and may require the experience of a qualified technician. Some of the possibilities are valve cover gaskets, cam seals, crank seals, rear main seal, and so on.

YourMechanic has several technicians that can assist you with an oil leak inspection, and service your valve cover, cam seal, or crank seal as necessary. Upon looking at the vehicle we can provide an accurate estimate and direction of repair.

Charging warning light comes on when i turn the key and try to start the car and the car want start but when someone tried to give
ANSWER : Hi there:

If you recently replaced your battery, the issue may be caused by a malfunctioning alternator or other electrical component that comprises the charging system on your Nissan Sentra. The best way to find out which item specifically is faulty, is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection. This will allow the mechanic to determine the precise source of what’s going on with your Sentra and recommend or complete the right repairs.

car has bad smell when I run it coming from under the hood
ANSWER : For this diagnosis it would’ve been helpful if the smell was described in more detail to help you with the problem. For example, the smell of a dead animal versus the smell of burnt oil. If you cannot describe it then I suggest having a mechanic check the car out in person to see what the problem is.

There are a number of things that can be at fault here and without assessing this issue physically I can only speculate. It’s possible that you’ve got mice in the car’s interior and in the A/C system. They tend to chew on wires and cause all sorts of problems. Have the vehicle inspected by a qualified technician who can diagnose the smell in person and make the appropriate repairs.