Worrying internal smells

[Bobbybus]

I went out today in the California and could smell something staight away on start up. At first I thought something was burning and then I thought the smell was more chemical. The smells alternated between the two. There were no smells in the engine bay, just inside. Aircon? Anything else? Has anybody experienced the same and can enlighten me?
I am worried that the van might spontaneously combust!

 

[Hotel California]

Any leftovers in the fridge....?

 

[sapto]

Experienced once in another car: I had to replace the filters in the AC/the fluid of the AC, after that everything was okay. What does your service history say: time to change the filters?

 

[WelshGas]

Another possibility is a leak in the Internal Heater Matrix and you are smelling AntiFreeze. Check the Coolant level.

 

[Trebor]

Dirty water in grey water tank breathing through sink drain into van ?

 

[Loz]

Mouldy pollen filter, simple change.

 

[2into1]

Surely it was the 2nd heater, to quickly warm the engine when below 4C. Can’t remember if it’s the webasto or eberspacher.

 

[Loz]

Surely it was the 2nd heater, to quickly warm the engine when below 4C. Can’t remember if it’s the webasto or eberspacher.

I thought that but op said no smell outside...

 

[Ocean Spirit]

Surely it was the 2nd heater, to quickly warm the engine when below 4C.

Excuse my ignorance, and sorry for a slight hi-jack on the thread but is this a standard option?
i.e. have I bought a vehicle that has this feature without knowing?

 

[larrylamb]

Excuse my ignorance, and sorry for a slight hi-jack on the thread but is this a standard option?
i.e. have I bought a vehicle that has this feature without knowing?

Yes, standard on the Ocean, not sure about the Beach. Comes on as a coolant heater in cold temps to warm the engine up quicker.

 

[Loz]

Excuse my ignorance, and sorry for a slight hi-jack on the thread but is this a standard option?
i.e. have I bought a vehicle that has this feature without knowing?

If you look on the edge of the open drivers door there will be a couple of stickers Eberspacher and webasto one is the engine coolant heater other is the aux air heater. If you have both stickers you have both heaters..

 

[Hotel California]

Excuse my ignorance, and sorry for a slight hi-jack on the thread but is this a standard option?
i.e. have I bought a vehicle that has this feature without knowing?

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/should-i-have-1-or-2-heaters.12043/

Btw , thought you where moving to the new home and no internet ....are we dealing with a other forum-addict ..... , we could start a therapy group , i'm in...!
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/posts/253895/

 

[Bobbybus]

Thanks for the replies. Some good suggestions. Certainly not food in the fridge or waste tank related. A/C Filters? Well they should have been changed! I need to check but this does seem to be a possible cause of the chemical smell. Odd though that it should occur so strongly without previous hint of a smell/problem. A leak of a/c fluid/gas?
Anti-freeze? It doesn't smell like it. Levels are ok. The engine heater was working at the time, as it was this morning, and the smell was there again. I'll be able to exclude the heater when the air temp gets higher. Mmm. The investigation continues.
Thank you all.

 

[sidepod]

Why is an internal Email worrying?

 

[MattBW]

Updated the title, may have been an autocorrect

 

[El Greco]

Evaporator may need disinfecting.

 

[andrew bazeley]

I sincerely hope It's not this, but about a year ago I had some rather worrying smells in my 2008 Cali, and it was discovered to be the EGR cooler and valve (something to do with cooling the exhaust fumes before pumping them back into the engine - I think!). It cost me nearly £700 to replace it!

 

[Ocean Spirit]

:thefinger

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/should-i-have-1-or-2-heaters.12043/

Btw , thought you where moving to the new home and no internet ....are we dealing with a other forum-addict ..... , we could start a therapy group , i'm in...!
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/posts/253895/

4g on iphone in a moment of cold turkey
I don't have an addiction :thefinger

 

[WelshGas]

:thefinger
4g on iphone in a moment of cold turkey
I don't have an addiction :thefinger

I believe you.

How’s the unpacking going?

 

[Ocean Spirit]

I believe you.

How’s the unpacking going?

Well we have the lounge and kitchen in a good state to live with.
Tomorrow get the dining room and bedrooms straight and I hope to get the camping gaz rigged up to the Cali
Thanks for asking

 

[Pete_Hampton]

I don't have an addiction

Which couldn't you do without - catching up with VWCC or voting on Strictly?

 

[Ocean Spirit]

Which couldn't you do without - catching up with VWCC or voting on Strictly?

You know too much about me, agent Pete.