Air coming into the vehicle smells exactly like poop

NOVICE51

MEMBER
2014 DODGE CARAVAN
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
84,000 MILES

Seriously the air coming into the vehicle smells exactly like poop. I think a small animal of some kind got into the vent system and pooped in there. Doesn't matter whether it's outside air, recirculated air, A/C on or off. I've tried all matter of deodorizing including a scent fogger. FYI I'm a complete mechanical novice.

I've tried numerous online searches to try to find a diagram of the passenger air intake system and can find no info, pictures, or video beyond replacing the cabin air filter which I did to no avail. I'm hoping to be able to look at the system from the initial air intake point outside the vehicle to see if I can we anything.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

3 Replies

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

Here is the information you've requested. The area behind the back of the hood and the bottom of the front windshield is called the cowl. That is where all the air is drawn into the van for heating and cooling. I always suggest for people to spray an entire can of Lysol spray into the length of the cowl to help eliminate bacteria and smell. Here is a tutorial showing what is involved for cabin air filter replacement:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-an-air-cabin-filter

I've attached picture steps below for cabin air filter replacement and the front cowl location for your van. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 12:20 AM

NOVICE51

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi Danny. Thank you so much! When I spray the can of Lysol into the cowl intake should I be running the interior fan, A/C? That's a lot of liquid and I want to be sure I don't do anything incorrectly by just guessing. Thanks in advance, Justin

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 10:33 PM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again.

Yes, you can have the A/C on when you spray into the cowl area because you want the fan to be running. Just be sure to have it in the intake setting and not recirculation. Nothing will get damaged it just helps with smells and germs. If you can see if you can remove any debris or junk to help with smells. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-

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Tuesday, October 13th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM