My whole car stinks (2007)

[edcrowdis@hazelnut.com]

My 2007 package #2 stinks and has since it was new.
I have read all of the information on cabin a/c smells and some that say the smell must be coming from other vehicles in front and some that say that they smelled burning electrical wires but the smell dicipated after a short time. My car will actually make peoples clothes stink if you spend ten or more minutes riding in the car.
I have questioned this problem from almost day one of ownership with a Toyota dealer in Oregon. They say that there is nothing wrong. I doubt their sincerety. Passengers comment about the smell. My wife drives the car to and from work everyday and when she enters a room after getting out of the car her clothes smell just like the car.
I spent seven years as one of the Toyota Sales Managers at a large metropolitan Toyota Dealership and I understand most smells that come from a/c units (moldy stinky feet smells) and outside smells being omitted from other vehicle exhaust pipes but this is completely different. It gets worse as the ambient air temp. increases.
It does smell similar to burning electrical wires in combination with burning oil.
I am looking for answers. Can anyone help me to understand this problem and does anyone have a fix for it. It is serious at this point!!!
Thank You
Ed

[northwichita]

Originally Posted by edcrowdis@hazelnut.com

My 2007 package #2 stinks and has since it was new.
I have read all of the information on cabin a/c smells and some that say the smell must be coming from other vehicles in front and some that say that they smelled burning electrical wires but the smell dicipated after a short time. My car will actually make peoples clothes stink if you spend ten or more minutes riding in the car.
I have questioned this problem from almost day one of ownership with a Toyota dealer in Oregon. They say that there is nothing wrong. I doubt their sincerety. Passengers comment about the smell. My wife drives the car to and from work everyday and when she enters a room after getting out of the car her clothes smell just like the car.
I spent seven years as one of the Toyota Sales Managers at a large metropolitan Toyota Dealership and I understand most smells that come from a/c units (moldy stinky feet smells) and outside smells being omitted from other vehicle exhaust pipes but this is completely different. It gets worse as the ambient air temp. increases.
It does smell similar to burning electrical wires in combination with burning oil.
I am looking for answers. Can anyone help me to understand this problem and does anyone have a fix for it. It is serious at this point!!!
Thank You
Ed

I wonder if this thread can be moved to the troubleshooting section, second; can you pinpoint where in the cabin the smell is strongest, also what does the engine compartment smell like? Also , do you use the the auto a/c, does that mode make a difference?

[fgp]

if not wiring or filter. how about clogged catalytic converter. just a shot in the dark

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by edcrowdis@hazelnut.com

...It does smell similar to burning electrical wires in combination with burning oil.

Hi Ed,

1. Do you have the cabin heater on, when you smell the "burning electrical wires" smell?

2. Have you looked at the engine to see whether there are any engine oil leaks, especially upon the exhaust manifold area? You might need to get under the engine to get a good view. Look at the valve cover, cylinder head, and the front engine cover to see whether there are oil leaks (the engine oil pump is located within the front engine cover.) That might be producing the "burning oil" smell.

[morpheusx]

This reminds me of a year or two ago where someone found dead mice in their cabin filter.

[lefat1]

this topic has been discussed in great length in other threads. i would suggest you search them out for they have many excellent responses and cures to your problem.

[uclabruins]

my mom's 2000 camry le will sometimes smell like bad body odor and it seems to come from the A/C.

[briantompo]

Hi Ed,
I've got a 2005 that has had an odor since day one and I've always assumed it was the seat foam used in the interior. The smell has not diminished after all these years and is still strong enough to "flavor" our clothing after a short ride. I asked the dealer about it and got a, "Gee, I can't smell it." FWIW, our 2008 has same gray,cloth interior and no odor. If it's the normal NiMH battery odor that many have suggested, I don't understand why some cars stink and some do not.
There's a similar thread titled "Odd Interior Smell" from 11/2006.
Brian

[manna1111]

Originally Posted by edcrowdis@hazelnut.com

My 2007 package #2 stinks and has since it was new.
I have read all of the information on cabin a/c smells and some that say the smell must be coming from other vehicles in front and some that say that they smelled burning electrical wires but the smell dicipated after a short time. My car will actually make peoples clothes stink if you spend ten or more minutes riding in the car.
I have questioned this problem from almost day one of ownership with a Toyota dealer in Oregon. They say that there is nothing wrong. I doubt their sincerety. Passengers comment about the smell. My wife drives the car to and from work everyday and when she enters a room after getting out of the car her clothes smell just like the car.
I spent seven years as one of the Toyota Sales Managers at a large metropolitan Toyota Dealership and I understand most smells that come from a/c units (moldy stinky feet smells) and outside smells being omitted from other vehicle exhaust pipes but this is completely different. It gets worse as the ambient air temp. increases.
It does smell similar to burning electrical wires in combination with burning oil.
I am looking for answers. Can anyone help me to understand this problem and does anyone have a fix for it. It is serious at this point!!!
Thank You
Ed

I have same problem!!!! no solutions yet

[Sandy]

my 04 has no smell.......