Noticed this a few weeks back, but did not think much of it.

A/C is off, about 70 outside, rolling out of the office and I notice a sort of rubber smell. Checked under the boot, no issues noticed, checked back hatch to make sure I did not leave any rubber parts back there (we paint rubber/plastic), removed some foam wrap I use, and that was it. Wheels/tires are fine, nothing obvious from outside either.

Car is garaged indoors at all times, unless out on drives....so no buildup on any surfaces under hood either.

When the A/C is 'on' it seems to diminish and disappear.

Noticed it again today, have not driven it in a couple days, but wonder if it's just normal (has never smelled like this before in the 3 years since birth), or if it's an obvious sign of something.

Thoughts appreciated.

TIA

 

So I dug around under the boot yesterday, and all the intake areas for fresh air are clean as a whistle. Did notice the primary fresh air flow on the passenger side is right behind the battery, so I wondered if this might be some sort of electrical issue.

But the more I smell it, the more it just smells like rubber. Now I do keep it in the warehouse and there is another set of wheels/tires within 10 feet (boxed) but the odor in the warehouse is not bad at all. And it's been parked there on/off for 3 years, and the tires/wheels have been there for two. This just started about a month ago.

Anyone?

 

When was the cabin air filter last replaced?

It is located under/behind the glove box and easy to check & replace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT-k8nf-OMU

 

Not 100% sure, will check records, had 3 yr svc done in early July.

But I eyeballed the filter from under the boot - right behind the battery it's wide open there to see in, and yes, I realized seeing it does not mean it's clean, but damn it was still white and spotless.

Car is never left outside, so no chance of much pollen, dirt or other buildup. And nothing changed much since a month ago, so it's puzzling.

I will check though, and may swap the filter out Monday on my own just for kicks to see if it resolves.

Appreciate the video link too - makes life easy.

Anyone done carbon vs stock? Any thoughts? Sources?

 

Might want to check the AC drain tube to see if it it plugged up.
If plugged you can get a musty sort of smell from water pooling in the AC parts and stagnating.

 

Thanks kl.....not 100% sure but is this easy access?

 

FYI The boot is the back of the car, the trunk or hatch area if you will. The front of the car or under the hood is the Bonnet.

 

Can you add some detail on how this is done? I have the same issue, the car smells all kinds of funky if I don't drive it everyday.

 

Appreciate the tips.

I just replaced the cabin air filter with carbon impreg unit, easy one. Dealer changes it every other year, so it's been about 14 months. NO CHANGE to air issue.

Got under vehicle tonight after a drive and a/c drain is fine - open and draining well.

No visible signs of anything else, but issue is STILL there.

To be clear, it's just a rubber smell, like there's a tire sitting in the cabin, but it's strange because if I hit the a/c button, the smell is gone. Only with the a/c OFF does the smell return, and it is coming from the vents. Can't smell any of this outside the vehicle nor under hood. Battery checked out fine, fluids are fine, nothing else obvious.

Anyone got a crystal ball?

 

Hi Eric,

I have this problem! I've been searching the internet for months and been to Mini 6 times to solve this problem. I basically get a weird smell through my vents when stopped or moving very slowly, its a weird funky smell and occurs when I don't drive the car every day. I've been through everything with mini, from exhaust leaks, breather tube leaks, fluids leaking, washer fluid leaking, a new micro filter, but it still smells. Have you any ideas what this could be??

Your help might just stop me ditching this car!

Many Thanks

Matt

 

Did anyone ever find a solution to this problem? I just started having the same problem. Cabin filter is fairly new. It smells almost like wood glue, but only when the A/C is OFF. If I turn on the A/C, the smell goes away. Thanks for any help!

 

Could be mold/mildew on AC evaporator coils. Had this on wife's BMW 530. Smell went away when coils got cold. This is a common problem with new cars due to tighter fin spacing and fact that fins can't dry out as well. Check out http://www.airsept.com/index.php?loadmod=odoridhow for info. I bought this product and it eliminated the odor and it has not come back in 3 years. My odor was musty at times and eventually smelled like dirty socks. Google AC odor plus any car manufacturer's name and you'll get a zillion hits.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll look into it.

 

'Dirty Sock Syndrome' is pretty common on household units if coils are not cleaned. But this was not that type of odor. It was definitely a rubber smell. Not as prevalent today as it was when i first posted....but still there.

 

Thanks for checking back in. Mine’s not really a “dirty sock” smell or a mold smell either. It definitely smells like rubber or glue. I’ll have the dealer look at it when I bring it in to have the recall done.