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WHY IS THE HEATING IN MY ’VAN CAUSING THIS PECULIAR SMELL?

Q. I have an old A-class (2003) with a 2.8-litre engine. I’ve noticed recently that when the heater is on while we’re driving, a peculiar odour emanates from it (1). It’s not obnoxious, but smells like ‘old car/van’ (which it is, although it has only done 73,000 miles). It hasn’t occurred before. Why has this happened and how might I cure it? There is no apparent leak of the coolant. All I want is no obvious smell while driving! Mark Thomson

A. Diamond Dave replies…

Bit of a headscratcher, this one! That ‘old car’ smell usually comes from carpets and upholstery, but as it only appears when you have the heater on, I’m not sure that’s the cause here.

It is possible that the heater matrix has collected some dirt and dust over the years, which smells when heated air is blown through it.