Battery odor in trunk compartment

[Doc B]

This is my first posting on BMWBoard. I have a 2003 330i and have replaced the battery with a factory BMW battery, connected the vent tube, but still have a battery acid odor remaining in the compartment. Any ideas for resolution would be appreciated. I have tried various odor removers, left the trunk deck open to air out, but still no results.

Thank You!
[bmwdance]

 

[Kirby]

Welcome!

That's odd - have you check for any spilled acid in the battery compartment? Also, is the vent tube clogged at the bottom end?

It's odd because your trunk is actually ventilated. There is a ventilation flap behind the truck trim panel that lets air flow through the trunk while you are driving. So it seems to me that something is causing the smell to continue.

I would pull the trunk floor and spare tire, make sure there is nothing else causing the smell.

 

[Doc B]

Thank You

Welcome!

That's odd - have you check for any spilled acid in the battery compartment? Also, is the vent tube clogged at the bottom end?

It's odd because your trunk is actually ventilated. There is a ventilation flap behind the truck trim panel that lets air flow through the trunk while you are driving. So it seems to me that something is causing the smell to continue.

I would pull the trunk floor and spare tire, make sure there is nothing else causing the smell.

Thanks. I will give that a try.

Doc B

 

[Wallaby]

Are 100% sure the odor is a result of the battery? I know for a fact that a lot of 3-series, mine included, carry an odor around in the trunk that is a result of the inner lining of the trunk inself; anyhow that is what I've been told.

Some people say that it is the spare tire causing the odor and some say, like you, that it is the battery causing the odor.

Do you find it that offensive? Because if you do, maybe it isn't the same odor then, because to me, the odor isn't that bad. In fact, now this may sound weird, my wife kind of likes it - - yea, yea, I know, but no comments here, please.

The odor also slightly permeates into the cabin of the vehicle, but not badly.

Describing the odor is tough. I would say that it has kind of a smokey odor, not tobacco smoke, but a woody smoke type odor.

In the end, the issue of an odor in the truck is a real one - many people have complained

 

[sgoetz628]

my first post here, too. about a year ago my trunk developed a kind of musty odor. smelled like rotting garbage, but very mild. this is odd, because I never allow food in the car. only groceries.

so coming home from the grocery store I had some freshly ground coffee in the trunk. for a day or so the trunk smelled like coffee. then nothing. now I make sure to put it in the trunk (in its container, of course) once a month or so and voila, no more odor.

couldn't hurt. might help.

Are 100% sure the odor is a result of the battery? I know for a fact that a lot of 3-series, mine included, carry an odor around in the trunk that is a result of the inner lining of the trunk inself; anyhow that is what I've been told.

Some people say that it is the spare tire causing the odor and some say, like you, that it is the battery causing the odor.

Do you find it that offensive? Because if you do, maybe it isn't the same odor then, because to me, the odor isn't that bad. In fact, now this may sound weird, my wife kind of likes it - - yea, yea, I know, but no comments here, please.

The odor also slightly permeates into the cabin of the vehicle, but not badly.

Describing the odor is tough. I would say that it has kind of a smokey odor, not tobacco smoke, but a woody smoke type odor.

In the end, the issue of an odor in the truck is a real one - many people have complained

 

[hades]

my first post here, too. about a year ago my trunk developed a kind of musty odor. smelled like rotting garbage, but very mild. this is odd, because I never allow food in the car. only groceries.

so coming home from the grocery store I had some freshly ground coffee in the trunk. for a day or so the trunk smelled like coffee. then nothing. now I make sure to put it in the trunk (in its container, of course) once a month or so and voila, no more odor.

couldn't hurt. might help.

Coffee will get rid of any odor. My Dad told me that trick when I had a power outage in my garage where the deep freeze plugged in, I tried everything to get the smell out of the freezer, it was so bad I got to the point of just throwing it out. Put a can of corfee grounds in it for 3 days, odor gone! I have a can I keep by the trash cans for when they get a little ripe smelling.

Just pour some in a tupperware bowl, leave it in there over night, but cover it when driving so it doesn't make a mess, or get those coffe packs like at hotels, so they don't get coffee grounds everywhere.