The Stilo we got for my son a few weeks ago has a horrible smell inside it. When we picked it up there were mothballs lying around in it. I can only guess that was to mask something else. We removed them but can still smell them. It doesnt smell like bodily fluids thankfully but its very stale and unpleasant and very strong.

I tried to remove the back seats so that they could be scrubbed and dried in the garden while the weather is so hot but there are two bolts, one needs a spanner and was easy to undo, the other needs an alun (spelling?) key, and just would not budge.

The small portion of the back seat looks like a baby seat may have been attached to it as the stains on the seat are mostly concentrated in one area and it looks like food and drink were spilled there but the smell seems to be everywhere.

It has sat on my drive for several days with the boot open and windows down to air it out but it makes no difference, it even overpowers the smell of a brand new air freshener.

I dont want to over wet the seats for fear of any electrical connectors that may be inside them, so steam cleaning or using a carpet washer may not be the best idea.

Any advice?

You want clean Fi..then this is the place for you sweety..

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php?

there is no better site when it comes to car cleaning ..its the dogs doodahs ..whats its..etc etc etc..

You'll probably find a sepcialist would be best. Try calling a local car valet firm. They are very good at fixing these kind of things. The problem is that on fabric seats, the seat covers are porous so whatever was dropped on them goes through to the foam where it sits and rots. If a baby seat was in the car, you'll probably find its baby puke or milk. Both are pretty rank after a while in the sun!

If you are set on DIY, you'll need to remove the seats and set to with a bucket and sponge, or even better, put them in a bath of water and squeeze the foam likje a big sponge to flush out any residue. The front seats have electrical connectors in for occupant detectors and side airbags, but the rears have nothing in them at all so are safe to remove. There is a chance the smell is coming from the carpet?

Thanks guys. I was trying to get the back seats out and the plan was to soak them one at a time in the bath with washing powder, I did it on another car a few years ago and it worked a treat, I just cant get the bolts undone. Maybe it needs a special tool. I think I may just pay someone to valet it. It could be the carpet too, I have vacuumed the whole car to death and taken everything out (spare wheel, lifted seats etc) anything I could get to got vacuumed but its not making any difference.

Thanks for the advice!

Find yourself an ALLEN bit and abreakerbar.

gr J

I recently hired a carpet cleaner with an upholstery attachment to do my car and it worked great. The last owner worked in a chinese so I thought the smell of curry would forever be trapped within the seats but no, it came out nice after I cleaned it and soaked the seats in fubreeze.

I used this to clean stains with very good results.

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/autoglym/interior-shampoo.aspx

Then as you say you need to remove the interior and trims to give them a thorough clean and hoover.

Then i used this 1nce a week for a month to get rid of the smell

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/autoglym/odour-eliminator.aspx

I sprayed everywhere even behind the panels. And left all doors and windows open as much as poss.

Where in london are you. I have removed the interior of a couple of stilo's easily enough. And i believe you mean Torx bits which are a star shaped arangement of which i have here. They are tight but with a wrench and extension bar are no more difficult than normal bolts.

A3jeroen said:

Find yourself an ALLEN bit and abreakerbar.

gr J

Click to expand...

Whats a 'breakerbar'?

If it just the smell you need removing then youcan easily do it your self with the right products some APC (asda star drops) just dilute spray on then agitate with a brush or cloth then a product like autoglym odour fresh will get rid of the smell also youll need a torx socket set to remove those bolts they should be tight as hell so put some welly in to it ha ha
what part of london are you in ?

Im in Wembley / Park Royal just off the 406 at Hanger Lane.


Thanks for all the responses, Im going to look at all these links. Ill keep trying to get the back seats out but maybe use some of these other products in the front and carpets.

I have seen the Asda apc mentioned elsewhere so Ill go and get some today.

If theres a halfords near to you then its buy 1 get 1 free on all car cleaning chems

FionaB said:

The Stilo we got for my son a few weeks ago has a horrible smell inside it.

Click to expand...

If the car has air conditioning, the smell could be bacteria in the evaporator. A can of air conditioner disinfectant from Halfords or similar supplier would cure it.

FionaB said:

Whats a 'breakerbar'?

Click to expand...

A long bar to transfer a lot of torque.
If it's indeed torx, dont use an allen bit/socket. You'll ruin the bolthead.

gr J

If its they are the same as my last 2 cars they are torx bits. Also best to note that at the size they are its very easy to think you have the right one and fubar the head.

FionaB said:

Whats a 'breakerbar'?

Click to expand...

It's just a long rod that lets you attach a socket at one end and get a lot of leverage to undo tight nuts/bolts. Just don't use one to tighten a nut/bolt up; it applies too much force

Well all the seat covers on the stilo come off and can go in the washing machine!!
I have done this and its easy.

why don't you try to hire a cleaning professionals?