bad smell?

Bill,

Wow, 9,000 miles. I would want to keep it too. As far as the odor, does it have a musty odor? Is the odor only noticeable inside the vehicle?

Do me a favor. Check the passenger side floor/carpet to see if there is any evidence of mold. The evaporator for the AC may have leaked and caused an odor.

Also, allow the vehicle to warm up and then open the hood to see if there is any evidence of the odor.

Additionally, I attached the procedure that a dealer would have followed when the vehicle was new. Take a look at it.

I do have one last question. Is there any chance mice may have gotten to the vehicle? They can make a mess and cause a strong odor. Check for evidence of that as well.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pics below.

Thanks for the reply.
The odor is not musty or mildewy to me. It is sharper smelling.
I see no evidence of mold in the areas you mention or anywhere else.
The car is on a charger right now as the battery has declined, but past experience has not located the smell in the engine compartment especially, it is much stronger inside the car.

As for mice, there is evidence in the engine compartment, and they have gotten into what I think is the AC intake through a plastic grill. The detailing shop I took the car to pointed this out and cleaned the intake as best they could without disassembling anything and I believe that this could be at least part of the problem, but I am kind of familiar with rodent odors and while there are similarities the odor I smell is very distinct and differs from only mouse odor. Also, the smell was there only days after Dad took delivery of the car and I don't think mouse odor would become that bad that fast. But I don't know.

If the ducting contains the problem, what can be done to correct it? Major disassembly or a flushing as the documents you provided suggest? A Mechanic suggested spraying an entire can of Lysol into the ducting intake but I won't do that. I think it might make things worse.

Bill

Hi,

If no one has done it yet, remove the blower motor so you can see into the HVAC box. It really isn't too difficult to do.

If you look below, I attached the directions for removing it. At least this will let you see inside the box to determine if there is something inside.

I agree with your comment as far as when it started, but remember, the vehicle sat before it was shipped and delivered. But even that doesn't make sense. I would think the odor would be gone by now.

It doesn't smell like something electrical or hot, does it?

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.

Hi,

The smell isn't electrical or hot.

To remove the HVAC blower, I will have to remove the front wheel in order to reposition the fender apron. Not very convenient for me but I will try. I will let you know the results.

Bill

Hi Bill, they never make things easy. I agree. Regardless, if you have the chance, let me know what you find. Also, if you have other questions, let me know.

Take care,

Joe

Hi Joe,

I removed the HVAC blower motor, and the cavity looks clean and clear excepting a light tan film. No obnoxious smell either other than the ever-present background smell. Is there any more for me to check here before reassembly?

As I mentioned earlier, there is mouse evidence in and around, and the mouse smell is present in the engine compartment a little, but it is distinctively different than the odor that permeates the interior.

I don't mind (too much) putting a few bucks into solving the problem, but I don't know where to go.

Can you suggest any more delving on my part or maybe a place to take the car?

Thanks,

Bill

Dealing with an unpleasant odor in a vehicle can be frustrating, but there are some steps you can take to try and resolve the issue. Here are some suggestions to help you address the strange smell in your 2006 Lincoln Town Car:

Check for mold or mildew: Musty odors in cars are often caused by mold or mildew growth, which can develop in areas like the carpet, headliner, or air conditioning system. Look for any signs of water damage or moisture in the car, as this can be a breeding ground for mold.

Clean and disinfect the interior: Thoroughly clean the interior of the car, including the seats, carpet, and any hard surfaces, using appropriate cleaning products. You can use a mixture of water and vinegar or a dedicated automotive interior cleaner. Pay extra attention to any crevices and corners where debris might be trapped.

Replace cabin air filter: If the smell seems to be coming from the air vents, it might be a good idea to replace the cabin air filter. Over time, these filters can get clogged with dust and debris, leading to unpleasant odors in the cabin.

Odor absorbers: Consider using odor absorbers or activated charcoal bags to help absorb and neutralize any lingering odors in the car. Place them strategically in the vehicle and leave them there for a while to see if they make a difference.

Professional inspection: If you've tried various cleaning methods without success, it might be worthwhile to take the car to a professional mechanic or an auto detailer who specializes in odor removal. They might have specialized equipment and knowledge to identify and eliminate the source of the smell.

Fresh air intake: When driving the car, try using the "fresh air" setting on the climate control system instead of recirculating the air inside the cabin. This will help bring in outside air and potentially dilute any odors.

Check for fuel or oil leaks: Sometimes, unusual smells in a car can be caused by fuel or oil leaks. Make sure to inspect the engine bay and under the car for any signs of leaks and address them promptly if found.

I think I've been abandoned.

The list just provided to me seems very AI, a generic listing of items that were already covered in previous posts.

Thanks anyway

Bill

Any smell that lasts this long is not rodent generated, I would think the coolant is leaking into the heater core which keeps regenerating but not enough to drip on the carpet, I would use a paper towel up under the HVAC plenum to check for the presents of coolant over a week or so of driving it. Also, pull up the carpet on the passenger's side to double check for coolant as well.

Thank you for your reply. I realize that an odor problem that is described and not experienced is difficult to diagnose.

I will follow up on your suggestion regarding a possible coolant leak.

Bill

Hi Bill,

After I left the last post, I did some thinking and thought I would ask the site owner if he had any ideas. That is who responded to you, so you got the big guy helping. LOL

Let us know if anything is found.

Take care,

Joe

LOL indeed.

Thank you, Joe.

Bill