Has anyone felt dizzy or get a headache from operating a vacuum in the household before? Well thats the similiar dizzy/headache/smell i get from my car when i have the defrosters on. What would be the problem?
Sounds like you are sensitive to ozone being produced by these electrical devices. Most common symptoms of ozone exposure are headache, nausea, upper respiratory issues - even at very low concentrations. That, or you have some seasonal allergen that you are becoming sensitized to over time or something being caught up in the fan motor and cooked off.
Not much you can do about ozone, other than running the car with the windows cracked open - allergy meds for seasonl allergens.
Sounds like you are sensitive to ozone being produced by these electrical devices. Most common symptoms of ozone exposure are headache, nausea, upper respiratory issues - even at very low concentrations. That, or you have some seasonal allergen that you are becoming sensitized to over time or something being caught up in the fan motor and cooked off.
Not much you can do about ozone, other than running the car with the windows cracked open - allergy meds for seasonl allergens.
Yeah i have a bit of allergies. My girlfriend never feels it when in the car. but my bro does feel it a bit as well, like i do. but funny thing is that when i slide the bar to closed (circulate within cabin) i dont feel it as much (not as dizzy)
That pretty much says the problem is outside the cabin air, most of the air pulled into the cabin, with windows closed and lever not set to the "recirculate" position, is from the front cowl area - right infront of the windshield.
Probably have all sorts of funky stuff down in the cowl area and potential fumes/ozone generated by your engine itself. Might want to check those things out to make sure the air passageways are clear.
That pretty much says the problem is outside the cabin air, most of the air pulled into the cabin, with windows closed and lever not set to the "recirculate" position, is from the front cowl area - right infront of the windshield.
Probably have all sorts of funky stuff down in the cowl area and potential fumes/ozone generated by your engine itself. Might want to check those things out to make sure the air passageways are clear.
how would i check that? sorry im not very mechanically inclined.
The cowl (cowl louver) is that black piece of plastic trim that sits below the wiper blades and at the bottom of the front windshield.
To get at it, have to pull the wiper arms off (lift up the base piece, there is a nut hidden under there), then remove the screws holding the cowl down - something like 5 screws or so. Can't remember if there are any clips, though, there might be.
Another way is to check the drainage holes at the bottom of the fenders - just look up from the bottom there and you should see some decently sized holes. Try shining a flashlight up there or poking a bent wire coat hanger or screwdriver and see if the holes are clear. If they are - you have nothing to worry about. If they are clogged and debris drops out when you probe the holes, then you'll probably have to pull the cowl off.
This won't actually clear all the air passage ways, as there is a good chance that all the debris and allergens are inside the cabin. By recirculating the cabin air, you engage air flappers (little doors) that control the flow of air, possible that the source is right infront of the flapper. That would entail pulling most of the dash apart to get to that - probably not worth the effort and likelyhood of introducing new problems like squeaks and whatnot.
They make cleaners you can spray into those outside vents that supposively kill all the bacterias and allergens throughout your circulation system or something like that, don't know if it helps at all never tried it but maybe its worth a shot.
you could also be sucking exhaust from an exhaust leak there, but you'd probably hear noise as well. does your gf smoke? if so then she wouldnt be as sensitive to the fumes. is there a smell associated?
you could also be sucking exhaust from an exhaust leak there, but you'd probably hear noise as well. does your gf smoke? if so then she wouldnt be as sensitive to the fumes. is there a smell associated?
My dad just drove my car the other day and was like WTH is wrong with your car, both my dad and my mom were getting bad headaches from the fumes. He also goes on and complains bout the crappy handling and driveability of the car etc just cause his car is alot better than mine.
So everyone in my family can smell the problem except for my gf... weird...no she doesnt smoke.
The smell is really hard to explain. Like sometimes the smell is a bit stronger and if u get a good whiff, one whiff will make you feel dizzy. The smells extra strong when i have the defroster on and the fan blowing high. When i change the mode to "recirculate" it cuts the smell to almost unnoticable.
My guesses are:
A) it has to do with the canals the air travels through from the outside that may be full of bacteria or w/e like explained by others.
B) it has to do with my A/C unit... as my A/C unit is not working and i dont know when was the last time it was working for the previous owner. Mould and other stuff might be growing in there? taking a wild guess.
refrigerant leak maybe? when you burn refrigerant it makes phosgene gas (like mustard gas) and those are some of the side effects. not likely but its possible.
Maybe you should take your car to the dealer and have them inspect it. Have them run a diagnostics on it like i did. I found out the smell from my car was a bad o2 sensor i haven't replaced it yet but you really have discribed the smell. Does it smell like exahust, like shit? lol Does it smell like stroing mildew. Has your car been sitting for a long period? Could be possible it's a dead mouse or rat, that smell COULD DEFINITELY MAKE YOU SICK! Be more descriptive with the smell maybe everyone could give you a better idea what it is.
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