Hello Everyone:

I hope there is someone out there that can HELP me with my 2002 S60. About a month ago my husband purchased a 02 S60 in amazing conditions with low miles. After driving it for about a week it started smelling inside, kind of a exhaust or greasy smell very hard to describe. My daughter describes it as burning crayons. After driving it my hair and clothes also smell, If I run a small errand it doesn't smell so bad but after 2 or 3 times out it smells terrible and at times even over comes me and affects my breathing. So consequently I have stopped driving it for now.

It recently had a recall on the fuel pump so we hoped somehow that would fix the problem, but no such luck. I later took it back to the dealership for this problem. They said they could not smell anything but decided to run some tests anyway. He rechecked the gas tank and all gas lines and all checked out good. He pulled the air conditioner and ok. They then let it idle in the shop for 3 hours with the climate controls set at 70 and fan on. He said after that they could not notice any unusual smell inside the car. Then they did a test drive and the tech noticed that there was a lot of road noise so with further investigation found that the metal ring pushed out at the rubber steering boot allowing the steering shaft to pass through the firewall to the outside of the vehicle. Unfortunately that did not fix the problem either. It still smells after driving a short distance. But I realized that if I keep the air circulation on the smell isn't as strong but still there.

I think the mechanics at the dealership think I am crazy. My family and friends can smell it and local mechanic in our town also said he can smell it.

Thank you so much for your help with this

 

Did you have an inspection on the exhaust system done? There could be an exhaust system leak somewhere. Its Highly unlikely, but a possibility. You may also have them do a inspection of the entire emissions system.

 

replace cabin and air filter?

 

Cabin filter or air filter will not help with a smell coming in the car. I would have to agree with Volvoman on this one. Good possibility you ran over a plastic bag or maybe converter going bad.

 

Melting a plastic bag on your downpipe or exhaust smells really pretty bad for a while. Ask me how I know... Lol.