2003 Impala: Funny smell?

[Gophermofur]

Car: 2003 Impala
Mileage: 63000ish

So basically for the past 2 weeks or so, when I first turn my car on there is this funny smell coming from the vents. It's bad enough that I have to open my windows. If i turn on the fan (usually for AC), the smell is quite strong, but goes away after about 5 minutes of driving.

Coincidentally, my low oil light has come on recently.

So for all the experts, what do you think it could be?

Is it simply that I need to top up my oil? Could that cause a smell?

I know about the lower intake manifold gasket problem, with the coolant leaking into the oil/engine. But my car temps haven't been getting too hot and I haven't noticed anything leaking on the drivway.

I'll probably be taking it to the mechanic soon enough, but it would be nice to have a general idea of what the problem could/couldn't be before I go in.

Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[B0000rt]

Smells like mouldy socks?

[chickenbones]

If your low oil light is on why not add oil? Is there a puddle of oil on the driveway every morning? You might be burning oil as well. So I would add some oil and drive to the mechanic.

[gherikill]

You might want to change your cabin air filter. My impala has a musty smell when I turn off ac for about 5 minutes as well. It is just the system clearing out the air.

[Gophermofur]

Yeah, the oil like just came on a couple days ago. There isn't a puddle on my driveway and I did an oil change (well, Mr.Lube did) no more than 4 months ago. I will check the oil and probably add/do an oil change this weekend.

I'll also check for all the regular gasket problems (white film on top of oil), sludge on radiator cap.

Thanks for the heads up on the air filter, I'll look into that aswell. As for the type of smell? I guess moldy socks is a fair assessment.

[gheart008]

If it's a moldy smell, then as mentioned before already, it's your air cabin filter. I had the same problem. Replaced it and it was all good again.

You can also get a can of lysol and spray it into the air vents while you have your car set to intake air from the outside. That will only solve the problem temporarily, so you'll still need to get a new cabin filter eventually.

[Gophermofur]

When I went to Mr.Lube a couple months ago I was sure they replaced my air filter. Perhaps I am mistaken. Typically, how often does the air filter need replacing? Or do you only replace it when thing start smelling musty? :|

[JAGpilot]

This is specifically the CABIN air filter. Its usually located on the passenger side in/near the glovebox.

[JAC]

+1 for cabin air filter. This is apparently a recurring issue with Impalas, since I've replaced mine 3 times in 3 years. And don't cheap out and get the no-name filter, they don't last as long.

[Gophermofur]

Thanks a lot for the responses! I will change the Cabin air filter (I'm sure I can find a guide on how to do it somewhere) and let you know if that helped.

1. Any recommendations on brand for a Cabin Air Filter? Where I can buy it?
2. Is it something that is actually difficult to change? I'm quite new at looking through the interior of a car, but a friend of mine seems quite handy with this type of stuff.

[VivienM]

2. Is it something that is actually difficult to change? I'm quite new at looking through the interior of a car, but a friend of mine seems quite handy with this type of stuff.

I can't check right now, but isn't the cabin filter on GM W cars located below the wipers' resting position? I don't think you access it from the interior of the car...

If I were you, though, I'd worry about that low oil light first. That's more troubling.

[Gophermofur]

I checked my oil and it was fine. The low oil light came on as a result of a timed maintenance schedule rather than an actual diagnostic check of the oil. I reset the light and I'll keep a close eye on levels.

I looked through the manual and saw how to change the cabin air filter. I shall attempt that feat tomorrow.

[VivienM]

I checked my oil and it was fine. The low oil light came on as a result of a timed maintenance schedule rather than an actual diagnostic check of the oil. I reset the light and I'll keep a close eye on levels.

Hmmm... so it was the "Change Oil" light? The thing from the GM OLS telling you to change your oil within 2-3 gas tanks' worth of driving? I guess this is what happens when you get tools @ Mr. Lube changing your oil - they forget to reset the OLS. Probably don't even know what the OLS is.

"Low oil" is different... and more troublesome.

[Gophermofur]

Yes, my mistake, it was the change oil light. Next time I get an oil change, if it is Mr.Lube or some other place, I'll just reset the oil light myself.