Odd smell when running car what could it be?

GALBINGITO

MEMBER
2009 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
32,000 MILES

It smells like the cars and outside smells get inside the car through the air conditioner but it happens when I go over 75 mph. Its a gs 4cylinder.

Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 5:25 AM

5 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Check the fresh/recirculating air vent. Check the firewall for any leakages due to bad or dislodged stoppers/sealing plugs.

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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 6:00 AM

GALBINGITO

MEMBER
8 POSTS

Thanks how do I check this?

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Friday, August 24th, 2012 AT 9:52 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

At the firewall there are grommets for wirings and A/C system. There are alos stoppers for unused holes. Check if any is dislodged or missing.

As to the fresh air/recirculating vents, you would need to perform tests to confirm.

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Friday, August 24th, 2012 AT 9:59 PM

GALBINGITO

MEMBER
8 POSTS

Why do you think the smell that gets inside is coming from? Could it be the friction between something? And why does the smell gets in only when I start going over 80mph?

* the air condioner stops blowing cool air when this happens and when I slow down its starts to blow cools air again.

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Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 AT 6:59 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

If the problem only occurs at high speeds, it can mean the fresh air vent is being forced open to allow external air to get into cabin. When this occurs, it is going to affect the A/C performance.