So, I bought a used 2003 996 turbo. On the test drive, I noticed this cologne smell, but I thought it was the sales guy! I came to realize that the smell was coming from the car. So, I did a full detail- clean/condition the leather, shampoo the carpets, new floor mats, etc. Still the smell lingered, so I rented an ozonator and ran it for 2 hours.

The smell seemed to be gone, but as the weather has gotten a little warmer and humid, the smell has come back. It is a 1/4 of what it was, but still annoying. Any other ideas? BTW, I have used Fabrezze and even bought these rocks which are supposed to soak up odor.

Thanks

 

i had the same problem. i think the majority of the smell has soaked into the steering wheel since they guy probably put the cologne on with his hands or used an after shave.

i just used some griot's garage leather conditioner and cleaner and it seemed to disappear.

good luck!

 

Thats funny, I also notice that it seems to be coming from the steering wheel. I have used multiple cleaners/conditioners (including Griots), but it still smells like colongne.

BTW, hope to see you on Sunday. Some of us aren't as elitist as Jeff!

 

hmm...maybe PM ben (aka: silversurfer). he has a detail shop. i'm sure he has to have come across this before.

well, i signed up for sunday, but then bugged out. i heard the weather is supposed to be nasty. i've done 7 autoX's this year, and 2 of them were in down pours. i think i've turned into a wuss, because now i just want to go if it's not raining out. =) i know jeff was looking for some other guys to drive down with. are you guys meeting up?

 

This reminds me of a Seinfeld episode... I think your best bet here
is to use the Meguiar's Odor Eliminator and Autoglym Interior Cleaner. You need to clean the headliner, carpet, floor mats, and all the leather surfaces. Then keep the windows down for a while and keep repeating until the smell has dissipated. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Moe. In terms of the odor elimanator, since the odor seems to be coming from the car in general, do I just spray it into the air? Is it safe to spray on the Alcantara headliner?

BoxsterGirl, I'll also probably pass if its pouring. Does the PCA frown upon people bugging out early and not staying for the whole event (ie cleanup)?

 

nope, they don't require that you stay for clean up. all you have to do is make sure you do your work assignment before, or after your group does their run. but, if you bug out when you're supposed to work the cones, they won't let you drive at the next autoX. when you go out to your station, you have to check in w/ them. when you register and pick up your copy of the course, it will have w2 r1, or vice versa...meaning work 2nd shift....drive 1st shift. you just have to stand out on the course and put the cones back up if they get moved/knocked over, etc. or, they may have you work waiver at the front entrance. that's it. then you can go home. =) you usually get out by 3:00 or 3:30. you can also stay longer if they do fun runs.

there is a bit of standing around, but the fun is worth it....unless it's pouring down rain. then, it's just cold and your clothes get soaked! haha!

~jody

 

Check the air conditioning vents, lot of my cars have had cologne poured down into them, quick cleaning and blowout and they are good to go. ALso change the cabin filter whle you are at it.

 

stupid question....but where are the air conditioning vents located on the car? doesn't pouring cologne into them, ruin them? just curious.

 

Just look for the air vents on the dash, spray some oder eliminator down there and pull the cabin vent and it should go away.

 

okay...the vents, i definately know where those are...hehe! thought maybe there were other vents somewhere internally that i didn't know about. "secret" vents, or something lol!

thanks for your info!

 

Just for f/u, I pulled the cabin filter and put the air on full. I then sprayed the Meiguers odor eliminator into the intake and then replaced the filter with a new one.

Worked great. I think the smell is pretty much gone. Thanks for the advice.

 

Great. I've been using the Meguiar's Odor Eliminator for years now and it never fails. Great stuff...

 

Hey Steve - elitist? Just can't get excited about hanging out in the rain from 9-3 to auto-x.

I'm good with a 1/2 day thing but not pretty much *all* day.

Good news on the cologne front!