sorry....
New battery...new smell?
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 208
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From: Newport Beach, CA
E55 AMG, Porsche 911 SC
New battery...new smell?
Car: 2003 C32
My original MB battery just took a **** on me so I replaced it with an interstate battery of the same type. The swap went smoothly. When I installed the battery the only pieces I moved around were the cables and battery cover.
I just drove the car around for about 30 mins with the new battery and noticed a strange "industrial" smell coming through the fresh air vents. This persisted throughout the whole drive with and without the A/C on.
How in the world could the battery cause this new smell...? Weird I know, but it is baffling me at the moment. Anyone know of any connection between the fresh air intake and the area around the battery in the engine compartment?
-Ken
My original MB battery just took a **** on me so I replaced it with an interstate battery of the same type. The swap went smoothly. When I installed the battery the only pieces I moved around were the cables and battery cover.
I just drove the car around for about 30 mins with the new battery and noticed a strange "industrial" smell coming through the fresh air vents. This persisted throughout the whole drive with and without the A/C on.
How in the world could the battery cause this new smell...? Weird I know, but it is baffling me at the moment. Anyone know of any connection between the fresh air intake and the area around the battery in the engine compartment?
-Ken
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 360
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From: SoCal
2018 GLE350
Well the filter housing is right over the battery. I'm assuming the fresh plastic smell is probably getting sucked up into the car.
Not sure there's much you can probably do other than wait it out. I suppose you could always try wiping the battery down with damp cloth.
Not sure there's much you can probably do other than wait it out. I suppose you could always try wiping the battery down with damp cloth.
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2005 Pontiac GTO 6.0 LS2 - Blue
Spray the battery with some lysol or similar disinfectant and wipe it down as suggested. Should help. Also, make sure the caps on battery are all securely closed and in place.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 360
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From: SoCal
2018 GLE350
Good tip from gt4awd.
And changing the filter probably won't help much. It won't filter particles small enough to block smell. (That's what the carbon filter is for)
Hit your carbon filter button. That should help reduce the smell quite a bit until it wears off.
And changing the filter probably won't help much. It won't filter particles small enough to block smell. (That's what the carbon filter is for)
Hit your carbon filter button. That should help reduce the smell quite a bit until it wears off.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: I liva at da land down under
Porsche 2004 911
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 208
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From: Newport Beach, CA
E55 AMG, Porsche 911 SC
Found the source of the smell and unfortunately...it has nothing to do with the battery, or so it seems.
Took the car out for a night drive and all seemed throughout the whole drive using the carbon filter until I pulled into the driveway and the smell began creeping in even with the carbon filter still on. I was baffled.
I popped the hood and saw smoke coming out from the left side of the engine. Upon further inspection, the (absolutely rank, btw) smoke is coming from underneath the engine and in the vicinity of the left-side header. I don't know if this has anything to do with the new battery but it has sure got me worried since the spark plugs + wires are in the same general area. I have not, however, experienced any electrical problems or check engine lights...yet.
I'll be taking it to my local mechanic tomorrow and report back, hopefully it's a simple fix.
Took the car out for a night drive and all seemed throughout the whole drive using the carbon filter until I pulled into the driveway and the smell began creeping in even with the carbon filter still on. I was baffled.
I popped the hood and saw smoke coming out from the left side of the engine. Upon further inspection, the (absolutely rank, btw) smoke is coming from underneath the engine and in the vicinity of the left-side header. I don't know if this has anything to do with the new battery but it has sure got me worried since the spark plugs + wires are in the same general area. I have not, however, experienced any electrical problems or check engine lights...yet.
I'll be taking it to my local mechanic tomorrow and report back, hopefully it's a simple fix.
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From: ATL
05 C55 AMG
Get underneath the car and make sure you didnt get a plastic shopping bag stuck on your exhaust. That could be the reason for the small amount of smoke and obviously the nasty stank.
Last edited by thegreatfnr; Jan 11, 2012 at 09:14 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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2005 Pontiac GTO 6.0 LS2 - Blue
Get underneath the car and make sure you didnt get a plastic shopping bag stuck on your exhaust.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 208
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From: Newport Beach, CA
E55 AMG, Porsche 911 SC
it was, like you all mentioned, some plastic that got stuck to the header. from the black, 'tarry' remains that were on the header it seemed like it could have been the old cover for the positive battery terminal. it was a little bit of a scare but i'm glad it was not something more serious.
on the upside, i found out my front left motor mount is busted while I was looking around down there so I now know there is something that needs to be fixed, at least some good came from this whole fiasco.
Thanks again everyone,
Ken
on the upside, i found out my front left motor mount is busted while I was looking around down there so I now know there is something that needs to be fixed, at least some good came from this whole fiasco.
Thanks again everyone,
Ken
