I have a 2005 Crossfire. There is a strong crayon-like odor permeating the entire interior. Have tried deodorizers, HVAC "bomb" canisters, cleaning, etc. and nothing works. Just took it to a local car restoration guy and he pulled out seats and trim and found that the carpet itself, or rather the glue that is the backing (and apparently keeps the carpet base/fibers in place AND adheres to the molded foam) is the source of the odor. After thoroughly checking behind his work (that means basically sniffing and smelling every exposed surface), I agree with his assessment. Also, on other car forums, I have discovered that BMW, VW, Porsche and Crossfire all have this odor and the source (carpet/glue/foam) is the culprit. Pulling the carpet is doable, but the foam buildup to contour to the car is not easily (or at all) reproducible. Using Dynamat or a similar product, plus new carpet, doesn't seem doable either as virtually every surface in the car is coated with the same foam and/or glue at some point in the manufacturing/assembly process (i.e, door panels, hatchback carpet surfaces, under the dash, etc.) for soundproofing and heat resistance. If you sit in the car for even a short ride your clothes and hair smell like the car and it is not pleasant. Our car only has 42K miles on it, it looks great (brand new seats), and runs very well. This is very frustrating. If I locate a replacement molded carpet product, would it be manufactured in Europe (Germany?) and have the same off-gassing odor issue? Any suggestions? Please help.

 

I've been around here over four years, I've owned two of these cars, I've ridden in and test driven probably 15 more Crossfires - and I don't think I've heard this before.
How long have you had the car?

 

I remember reading about this about a year and a half ago and it ended up being water intrusion/leak. Pull the mat out of the back and check under the Styrofoam for water. There are several places where the water can come in, the gas cap seal, spoiler seal, and if it is in the front carpeting I would check the front drain to see if it is clogged and check and change your cabin air filter.. Also the is a guy in Brandon/ Riverview, Fl on Ebay that may have a replacement carpet. Nickoz is the store name.

Good luck on your search.

 

Ok, NOW it makes sense. I was obsessing on this "glue" talk.

And you don't want water leaking in anyway - down by the passenger's feet is where the AMP is, in the back end, you have the modules in the fender (not sure what is back there and where in a Coupe, but in a Roadster I do...)

 

If you store your car indoors try leaving the windows crackled about an inch and the crayon smell will go away. If not, throw a couple fabric softener sheets under the seats and that will mask it.


Edit ...it is either glue or plastic off-gasing.

 

Call me a doubting Thomas but something stinks here.

Nobody else is complaining so much, the crayon smell is description is often used but ........
What year of car?
How many miles on this car?
Has the passenger compartment air filter ever been changed?

 

Yea, you could have a science experiment growing in the cabin air filter.

 

Doubting Thomas, as you know my Cabin filter has been changed and I occasionally experience this smell after my car has sat baking in the hot sun all sealed up......and this doesn't happen often in our climate.

 

I have had the car for three years. The odor was very faint when we bought it. It has grown progressively stronger in the past three years. The odor is always worse in the summer. Far, far worse. In the winter the odor is bearable.
All surfaces under all carpeted areas are completely dry. The car has been garaged for the entire three years we have owned it. Other vehicles in the same garage/location do not have any odor. So, it's not the environment (although no one has suggested it), it is definitely the car. And, it is definitely coming from the carpeted areas.
I will investigate the cabin filter replacement as well.
Also, thanks for the potential tip regarding replacement carpet. Maybe the guy there will be able to answer the foam/glue question.
Two more. Any idea where to obtain one of the small oval speaker trim pieces (the speakers are behind the seats)?
Also, although I don't smoke, the lighter has gone missing from my dash and I would like to replace it. Will just a regular lighter do or must it be Crossfire specific?
I have never had a car like the Crossfire before and we really like it. Much to learn. The responses from this forum are great. Much appreciated.

 

Okay, the cabin air filter idea has surfaced more than once. Will definitely pursue that option. Also, one reader says the heat makes it worse. All helpful responses. Thanks, all. I may be back with a follow up on this issue. Hopefully not, of course.

 

Most lighters draw about the same current, so I'd think a generic one would work.

And they are a standard size, as far as I know, so...

Just dont go to the dealer unless an OEM part is REALLY important to you. I'd imagine you'd be charged over $50, maybe over $100.

Also, since you are so close, consider the Spring Dragon Get-Together:

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...il-2014-a.html

 

^^^ Last post now all nicely edited for your reading enjoyment ^^^

 

My 05 Roadster has that same crayon type smell. I put the windows down for a minute, and do not notice it again till it's closed up for a while. Everyone who rides in it has commented on it.

 

Recently when I was showing my daughter and her daughter my 'new' XF, the daughter's daughter stuck her head in the door and bent over the driver's side seat cushion. She got out and said "Crayons." Daughter did the same and explained to me that it smells like crayons. I will add that the car had been sitting in the hot sun.

Smell is very relative. I'm perfectly fine with the odor, but have been planning on using some of my Leather space spray from Unsmoke Systems. I've had it for years and I just dribble some of the liquid on a medium sized piece of leather, then put it underneath the seat of my car. Obviously it's supposed to be sprayed with a fine mist, but I'm not keen on spraying interior 'fixtures'.

On the car I used it on many folks said the interior smelled like a new car or like leather. Other's said, "What Is That Smell!"

I have no idea if this company is still in business, but their main business is/was to offer chemicals that would neutralize odors say in a house fire, or in an industrial building.

Anyone here buy their XF new? What did the interior smell like?

I will add that when I switched out the fan's regulator the original was very corroded. I made sure that the three drain holes got unplugged. The center one is the hardest to get to and the one which took quite some time unclogging, but certainly worth the effort.

 

Hmmmm my interior smells like sugar cookies.

 

I've had my 06 Base since new & the smell of crayons has always been there. Even thou it's lightened a little over the yrs. it has remained as the same crayon type odor. I too have been told that it is a rather customary smell with some German produced cars since they are supposed to be limited to the type of products they can use in the production processes in their countries compared to our U.S. desires for that (NEW CAR SMELL) we've all grown to expect. My Base has no cabin filter so I accept the slightly different smell as my new car smell from my German built cpe.

 

Thats different.......Did you ever take the female police office that nabbed Mel Gibson (DUI) for a spin in your car??

He called her "Sugar T*ts"

 

There have been a number of post for crayon odor. I was beginning to think it was normal. Is the odor only on roadsters?

Replacing the filter was no help.

 

Not that I remember

 

I had a strange odor too - but it did not strike me as a crayon smell. So after reading on the site about the cabin filter suggestion, I changed the cabin filter ( got a Bosch) - and the smell still seems to be there. However it is not as strong. The smell disappears after the car has warmed up. Or else I just get used to it...... Will it go away?

Alicia