Tha Original i30 Owners Club

GOT PROBLEMS OR ISSUES? => GENERAL => Topic started by: dnalor50 on December 28, 2016, 05:35:36

Title: Smell when starting engine on hot days
Post by: dnalor50 on December 28, 2016, 05:35:36

On a hot day my i30 sometimes gives off a smell reminiscent of the "glo-fuel" I used in control line aircraft as a kid (showing my age here!). It is very sweet and aromatic lasting 30 seconds or so after starting the engine. Could it be leaking refrigerant (R-1234yf) , which is described as having a slight odour? The air-conditioner seems to be working quite well, apart from a slight, but persistent, musty smell. Any ideas?

Title: Re: Smell when starting engine on hot days
Post by: edagrade on December 28, 2016, 05:52:54

Is this something you smell within the car - or a smell coming from exhaust emissions (from the tail pipe)?
Are you using a fuel with any ethanol content?

Title: Re: Smell when starting engine on hot days
Post by: Dazzler on December 28, 2016, 05:56:11

Quote from: edagrade on December 28, 2016, 05:52:54

Is this something you smell within the car - or a smell coming from exhaust emissions (from the tail pipe)?
Are you using a fuel with any ethanol content?

My thoughts exactly! But we both could be well off the mark...  :undecided:

Title: Re: Smell when starting engine on hot days
Post by: dnalor50 on December 28, 2016, 05:57:16

No the smell is in the cabin and I don't use fuels containing ethanol.

Title: Re: Smell when starting engine on hot days
Post by: Dazzler on December 28, 2016, 05:59:51

Quote from: dnalor50 on December 28, 2016, 05:57:16

No the smell is in the cabin and I don't use fuels containing ethanol.

Do you have anything plugged into your 12 volt outlets?  A camera or phone charger.. Hot plastic can emit similar smells.  :cool:

Title: Re: Smell when starting engine on hot days
Post by: CraigB on December 28, 2016, 06:39:31

Have a look at your cabin filter, could be getting dirty/mouldy :undecided:

Title: Re: Smell when starting engine on hot days
Post by: dnalor50 on December 28, 2016, 07:06:52

Quote from: Dazzler on December 28, 2016, 05:59:51

Quote from: dnalor50 on December 28, 2016, 05:57:16

No the smell is in the cabin and I don't use fuels containing ethanol.

Do you have anything plugged into your 12 volt outlets?  A camera or phone charger.. Hot plastic can emit similar smells.  :cool:

I wondered if it could simply be some of the plastic in the car "settling" over time. The sweet aromatic smell has decreased with age. There was nothing plugged in when I first noticed the smell (which puts me in mind of another annoyance- the USB port is not powered and I need to use a cigarette lighter/USB adaptor  :( )

Title: Re: Smell when starting engine on hot days
Post by: dnalor50 on December 28, 2016, 07:13:04

Quote from: CraigB on December 28, 2016, 06:39:31

Have a look at your cabin filter, could be getting dirty/mouldy :undecided:

Thanks CraigB, i'll give that a shot. I might just remove it for a few days and see if anything changes.

Title: Re: Smell when starting engine on hot days
Post by: edagrade on December 29, 2016, 03:12:15

Cabin filter is a good idea :-)
Also, try ensuring heater fan is totally turned off when starting on a hot day to see if that changes the symptoms.