Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

strange smell after rain

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
Post Reply
User avatar
Nick9one1
Member
Member
Posts: 299
Joined: Thu Dec 28, 2017 12:48 am
Location: Newark, Nottinghamshire

strange smell after rain

Post by Nick9one1 » Mon Apr 23, 2018 2:57 pm

I dont know if this is a common issue, but hopefully it might help other members!

I noticed an unusual smell in the car shortly after I bought it.
I thoroughly cleaned the car, thinking it might be from a spilt drink (gone off milk). I removed both seats and thoroughly cleaned the carpets with a professional carpet cleaning machine. I'd done this on a car I'd bought previously whose previous owner was a smoker, it completely removed the tobacco smell.

Unfortunately I still had the strange smell in the z4...
I narrowed it down to the drivers door, lowering the window and putting my nose near the gap I could smell it.
The smell seemed to be worse in wet, or just after wet weather. After a few days of dry weather it was gone.

I recently changed my speakers and discovered the problem.
The in-door speakers have a plastic shield at the rear to protect them from moisture, this had a felt pad on it that was wet and mouldy. It was the same on both driver and passenger door.

The doors weren't leaking, and the inside was bone dry, but the pad was sandwiched between the wet/dry sides of the door seal.



20180413_135541_preview.jpeg
20180413_135541_preview.jpeg (99.27 KiB) Viewed 667 times
20180413_135536_preview.jpeg
20180413_135536_preview.jpeg (113.62 KiB) Viewed 667 times
Z4 35i Space Gray, Red Leather
Stepped Intercooler
De-Cat Downpipes
HKS SSQV
MHD 98RON Stage 2+
395 BHP :driving:

User avatar
mcbeee
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3309
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:13 pm
Location: Chestermere, Alberta

strange smell after rain

Post by mcbeee » Mon Apr 23, 2018 3:09 pm

Good detective work .... :thumbsup:


Now if you can find out why my golf shoes smell like mould I'd be eternally grateful. :D Just Kidding, I know why.
Sold the Z4 M Roadster and a 911 Carrera S now I have a 2021 Z4 3.0i
8) 8) 8)

dvd112
Member
Member
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:23 pm

strange smell after rain

Post by dvd112 » Tue Apr 24, 2018 7:56 pm

i had this same problem. going to put it in the stealers and get them to sort.

good work !!

Busterboo
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2798
Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2016 2:49 am

strange smell after rain

Post by Busterboo » Tue Apr 24, 2018 10:03 pm

OK, you can tell the truth now. The dog pi$$ed on 'em, didn't it?
Vidi, vici, veni

User avatar
buzyg
Legend
Legend
Posts: 26421
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
Location: Cornwall

strange smell after rain

Post by buzyg » Wed Apr 25, 2018 12:49 am

So more Sherlock than shear luck sniffing that one out. :wink:
Image

Post Reply