98 Civic LX heater smells like fire! anyone? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Yoshi · 12-15-2005, 11:04 AM

So I just got a call from my sister.
Her 98 Civic LX is somehow screwed up, and since she's on the other side of the country, I can't take a look at it in person.

The Problem:
Her heater smells like a campfire when turned on. Regardless of whether it's set to recirc or fresh air (vent), the smell remains; and once the HVAC system is turned off, the smell begins to fade. There is no smoke. There are no odd engine issues or different exhaust smell/color. I'm figuring something is melting/burning next to one of the HVAC hoses, or maybe it's the hose itself... but then you'd think it'd smell like burning plastic or rubber... no. It smells like a camping trip

This one had me scratching my head, and my sis is afraid to go very far with the car running as it is. I'm stumped w/o being able to look at it so I'm calling for re-enforcements from the masses of zilvia... I know it's not an S-chassis, but hey, it's OT right?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can assist.

**mrmephistopheles** · 12-15-2005, 03:41 PM

It tastes like burning!!!

Maybe you have an expedition of mice living in your HVAC system, and when you turn on the heater they start a campfire.

Jcb890 · 12-15-2005, 03:58 PM

mrmeph might actually be on to something here. my buddy's HVAC would make obscene noises and didnt smell so great and they found a mouse somewhere in there that had chewed through some of a wire and got electrocuted and died making it smell terrible and shit. i'd have her take it in and have it looked at cuz there's no telling what it is really without looking at it.

12-15-2005, 11:04 AM	#1
Yoshi Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Washington Age: 48 Posts: 3,003 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: Yoshi Feedback Score: 1 reviews	98 Civic LX heater smells like fire! anyone? So I just got a call from my sister. Her 98 Civic LX is somehow screwed up, and since she's on the other side of the country, I can't take a look at it in person. The Problem: Her heater smells like a campfire when turned on. Regardless of whether it's set to recirc or fresh air (vent), the smell remains; and once the HVAC system is turned off, the smell begins to fade. There is no smoke. There are no odd engine issues or different exhaust smell/color. I'm figuring something is melting/burning next to one of the HVAC hoses, or maybe it's the hose itself... but then you'd think it'd smell like burning plastic or rubber... no. It smells like a camping trip This one had me scratching my head, and my sis is afraid to go very far with the car running as it is. I'm stumped w/o being able to look at it so I'm calling for re-enforcements from the masses of zilvia... I know it's not an S-chassis, but hey, it's OT right? Thanks in advance to anyone that can assist. __________________ www.360realms.com/S13-S15

12-15-2005, 03:58 PM	#3
Jcb890 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Massachusetts Age: 40 Posts: 852 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	mrmeph might actually be on to something here. my buddy's HVAC would make obscene noises and didnt smell so great and they found a mouse somewhere in there that had chewed through some of a wire and got electrocuted and died making it smell terrible and shit. i'd have her take it in and have it looked at cuz there's no telling what it is really without looking at it.