stale water smell on start up

zola66 · 9th July 2008, 07:30

over the past few week I have had this stale/stagnant like water smell on start up inside my rover 75, dose not last long but just wondered what is was, I had the cambelts and water pump changed around the same time the smell started.....can anyone advise.

stocktake · 9th July 2008, 07:32

Check you plenum for water, always a good 1st port of call.

Simon · 9th July 2008, 07:34

Firstly, check your plenums for any water, even a small amount can turn stagnant and therefore start smelling. I would then be looking at the pollen filter itself - it has either got wet or is currently damp and mold has started to grow on it. If this is the case then it just needs replacing.

It may also be bacteria inside the AC system - one of those antibacterial aerosol cans that you let off inside the car often does the trick. There was a thread about them not so long ago.... http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=23448

Pete · 9th July 2008, 07:39

I had this some time ago. Turned out the filter was wringing wet from the plenum not draining properly. Cleared the blockage, changed the pollen filter and the dank smell instantly disappeared.

hotthread · 9th July 2008, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by zola66

over the past few week I have had this stale/stagnant like water smell on start up inside my rover 75, dose not last long but just wondered what is was, I had the cambelts and water pump changed around the same time the smell started.....can anyone advise.

Same with my 75, just like manky socks. A quick check is to take of the driver's side leaf guard and peer into the depths with a torch. If it is awash, you will need to get in via the passenger side cover, and follow instructions posted elsewhere on this splendid forum.

ps..the sun now shines out of my two door!

djewson · 13th July 2008, 23:29

I just sorted mine today.
The job was to change the pollen filter as I'm sure it hadn't been done in a while.
Plus I too had the mouldy / damp smell when the interior fans were switched on.
And also have a look at the plenums, just to be sure.

The pollen filter was black as, well a really black thing...

and it was PRETTY wet too, then i looked at the plenum area and found a couple of inches of water in there.
I found something to stick down there to open the bung and out it poured..
in fact i thought at first i had ripped a hose for something that much water came out from underneath the car.
I must recomend this check to everyone.

from taking the cover off, lifting out the ECU, changing the pollen filter, emptying the area of water and putting it all back together again took literally 30 mins TOPS...
totally time well spent, to avert a potential ECU disaster.
Oh and the car smells nice again too...

Dean

Fraser Mitchell · 14th July 2008, 20:03

Dear Zola66

The heater inlet plenum chamber is, (as no doubt you have gathered), one of those regular jobs in the Rover 75/MG ZT owners calendar. I check mine regularly, (actually did it yesterday - all clear !!). The car can stand a bit of water in there, you just get the smell, but over a certain level and it knackers the engine ECU when the level gets to the wiring plug socket on the unit. Water can then get into the electronics and cause havoc.

Unfortunately, MG Rover are not going do a permanent fix now !!

9th July 2008, 07:30	#1
zola66 Avid contributor rover 75 classic se Join Date: May 2008 Location: Surrey Posts: 249 Thanks: 10 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	stale water smell on start up over the past few week I have had this stale/stagnant like water smell on start up inside my rover 75, dose not last long but just wondered what is was, I had the cambelts and water pump changed around the same time the smell started.....can anyone advise.

9th July 2008, 07:32	#2
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,605 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Check you plenum for water, always a good 1st port of call. __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

9th July 2008, 07:34	#3
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Firstly, check your plenums for any water, even a small amount can turn stagnant and therefore start smelling. I would then be looking at the pollen filter itself - it has either got wet or is currently damp and mold has started to grow on it. If this is the case then it just needs replacing. It may also be bacteria inside the AC system - one of those antibacterial aerosol cans that you let off inside the car often does the trick. There was a thread about them not so long ago.... http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=23448 Last edited by Simon; 9th July 2008 at 07:35.. Reason: Added link

9th July 2008, 07:39	#4
Pete Owners Club Director Rover 75 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sherfield-on-Loddon Posts: 4,878 Thanks: 137 Thanked 996 Times in 444 Posts	I had this some time ago. Turned out the filter was wringing wet from the plenum not draining properly. Cleared the blockage, changed the pollen filter and the dank smell instantly disappeared. __________________ Follow The Club On Twitter

13th July 2008, 23:29	#6
djewson Regular poster Freelander Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire Posts: 61 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Finally got round to it I just sorted mine today. The job was to change the pollen filter as I'm sure it hadn't been done in a while. Plus I too had the mouldy / damp smell when the interior fans were switched on. And also have a look at the plenums, just to be sure. The pollen filter was black as, well a really black thing... and it was PRETTY wet too, then i looked at the plenum area and found a couple of inches of water in there. I found something to stick down there to open the bung and out it poured.. in fact i thought at first i had ripped a hose for something that much water came out from underneath the car. I must recomend this check to everyone. from taking the cover off, lifting out the ECU, changing the pollen filter, emptying the area of water and putting it all back together again took literally 30 mins TOPS... totally time well spent, to avert a potential ECU disaster. Oh and the car smells nice again too... Dean __________________ 2.0 CDT Connoisseur SE with Synergy 2, Drivers Intelligence Pack, Heated Wash Pack, Parking Heater, Full Walnut Dash and Hi Line Sat-Nav / TV with Harmon Kardon premium audio system including subwoofer & 180 watt amplifier and 6 CD Changer. Now Gone - Replaced with Land Rover Freelander Sport TD4

14th July 2008, 20:03	#7
Fraser Mitchell Gets stuck in Rover 75 2.5 V6 Club Auto Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Crewe Posts: 898 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dear Zola66 The heater inlet plenum chamber is, (as no doubt you have gathered), one of those regular jobs in the Rover 75/MG ZT owners calendar. I check mine regularly, (actually did it yesterday - all clear !!). The car can stand a bit of water in there, you just get the smell, but over a certain level and it knackers the engine ECU when the level gets to the wiring plug socket on the unit. Water can then get into the electronics and cause havoc. Unfortunately, MG Rover are not going do a permanent fix now !!