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      12-06-2017, 12:56 PM   #1
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The infamous crayon smell - Solution!

Hey all, I've got a 2014 with 46k miles and the crayon smell has been present since I bought it at 36k miles. It especially comes out when I'm driving with the windows down or sun roof open.

SO, I've tried everything in the book to fix it and I've finally found something that has made a major difference.

The dealership sells these odor freshener canisters that when you depress the button it releases the gas for ~2 minutes.

The instructions said to open the windows after 2 minutes to let it air out for 5 minutes... but I just kept everything closed for a couple of hours. Also I kept the air on recirculate at 84 degrees for about 5 minutes.

It's day 3 and I haven't smelled the crayons yet. The canister was $15 at my dealership, and I mean... even if this isnt a permanent fix... I'm fine spending $15 every six months or year if that means I got rid of the crayons.

I just found there's also other brands on amazon for a bit cheaper, so I may try those... but for now, the dealership one worked great! (it has a spearmint scent)

Give it a shot if you've got $15 to blow!
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      12-06-2017, 01:06 PM   #2
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Glad you found a solution! The "BMW scent" doesn't bother me at all and after the cars I've been through, it's actually a nice treat not smelling mold/air freshener crap all the time, especially something that I like! One would think Cadillac would've gotten the A/C right but not on any one of my Caddies unless I go back a bit haha.
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      12-06-2017, 01:53 PM   #3
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I must not have a strong sense of smell. I’ve owned and driven various BMW’s and never noticed this “scent” (including a 2014 F30). Anyone know what causes it?
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      12-06-2017, 01:58 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Facin View Post
I must not have a strong sense of smell. I’ve owned and driven various BMW’s and never noticed this “scent” (including a 2014 F30). Anyone know what causes it?
In my opinion I think it only comes out if the car is stored outside in the sun and bakes there for an extended time.

Mine was sitting in the used car lot for a bit and the top of the steering wheel was totally ruined when I bought it(making me think the previous owner parked out in the sun all the time).

I think all that baking (plus the previous owner sucked) brought out the scent for the worst.

Just my guess
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      12-06-2017, 01:58 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffc83 View Post
Glad you found a solution! The "BMW scent" doesn't bother me at all and after the cars I've been through, it's actually a nice treat not smelling mold/air freshener crap all the time, especially something that I like! One would think Cadillac would've gotten the A/C right but not on any one of my Caddies unless I go back a bit haha.
I mean I was getting used to the smell too... My biggest issue is that it would get on my clothes/skin/hair.

So that was the most frustrating part for me.
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      12-06-2017, 02:08 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by perryo91 View Post
I mean I was getting used to the smell too... My biggest issue is that it would get on my clothes/skin/hair.

So that was the most frustrating part for me.
Can't blame you there. There is nothing good about being a smoker but in this case, that's all I smell once I get out so I suppose it's a "slight" advantage? Nope, still not worth it lol. (been trying to quit for years, never lit up in the Bimmer never will)
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      12-06-2017, 02:10 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by perryo91 View Post
I mean I was getting used to the smell too... My biggest issue is that it would get on my clothes/skin/hair.

So that was the most frustrating part for me.
Sorry to disappoint you but those scent bombs don't last more than a few months. Eventually the smell will come back.
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      12-06-2017, 04:07 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by vgore View Post
Sorry to disappoint you but those scent bombs don't last more than a few months. Eventually the smell will come back.
That's fine, I mean it's only $15, definitely worth the cost for a good smell...

Meguiar's has their own line of air bombs starting at $7, so that's an even cheaper option.

And of course I know it's not permanent, but maybe after I use it multiple times it'll compound on itself.
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      12-06-2017, 05:59 PM   #9
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Lol crayon smell? Had my '16 for about a month but don't think I smell any crayons..I know there's a smell but I think that's the case with all newer cars. I'll have to go check with this in mind. Do you have leather or sensatec?
Your story reminds me of bed bug horror stories I read about online
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      12-06-2017, 09:43 PM   #10
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I get this smell as well, only when the sun roof is open. Though, I do love it..smells like new car to me instead of crayon

My car is always garaged so, not sure about the smell coming from the car being baked
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      12-07-2017, 08:31 AM   #11
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I regularly condition my seats and other leather with Griot's Garage Leather Conditioner...according to my wife, my car's interior smells like the shoe dept. at Nieman-Marcus.
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      12-07-2017, 09:06 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by roundel335 View Post
I regularly condition my seats and other leather with Griot's Garage Leather Conditioner...according to my wife, my car's interior smells like the shoe dept. at Nieman-Marcus.
Then you're doing it right
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      12-07-2017, 09:11 AM   #13
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The smell is from Cosmoline, a protective, hard to remove wax that is used for rust prevention. Many European auto companies use it.

The smell is way less prevalent in newer cars, but anything around the e30 era is actually impressively pungent.

My F30 barely has the smell, I don't understand how the smell is somehow transferring to your hair and clothes. Maybe you found out you have body odor that smells like sweet wax?
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      12-07-2017, 09:25 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Tasty View Post
The smell is from Cosmoline, a protective, hard to remove wax that is used for rust prevention. Many European auto companies use it.

The smell is way less prevalent in newer cars, but anything around the e30 era is actually impressively pungent.

My F30 barely has the smell, I don't understand how the smell is somehow transferring to your hair and clothes. Maybe you found out you have body odor that smells like sweet wax?
You're correct - they put it all over anything that could rust during shipment, especially trans-oceanic, mostly underneath and in the engine bay. It's supposed to be removed at the port, but it's entirely possible they missed an area or two, possibly near the firewall, hence the smell in the interior. I'm pretty sure they don't spray it anywhere inside the passenger compartment.
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      12-13-2017, 03:46 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Tasty View Post
The smell is from Cosmoline, a protective, hard to remove wax that is used for rust prevention. Many European auto companies use it.

The smell is way less prevalent in newer cars, but anything around the e30 era is actually impressively pungent.

My F30 barely has the smell, I don't understand how the smell is somehow transferring to your hair and clothes. Maybe you found out you have body odor that smells like sweet wax?
Nice! thanks for the info.

Yeah it gets bad if the car sits outside in the sun for a while, and like I said with the windows down/sunroof open the smell gets really strong
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      12-28-2017, 03:47 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by perryo91 View Post

The dealership sells these odor freshener canisters that when you depress the button it releases the gas for ~2 minutes.

The instructions said to open the windows after 2 minutes to let it air out for 5 minutes... but I just kept everything closed for a couple of hours. Also I kept the air on recirculate at 84 degrees for about 5 minutes.
could you post the exact product name and manufacturer for the cannister?

Thanks!
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      01-03-2018, 04:46 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by craeg View Post
could you post the exact product name and manufacturer for the cannister?

Thanks!
Sorry i threw it away already, i just saw it on one of their shelves labeled as an air freshener and it had the instructions on the box.
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      07-15-2019, 09:23 PM   #18
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I've been bothered by the crayon smell in my 2014 428i, and recently found the root cause:
the upper sound insulating dash panel(part number: 51487221965)
it's breaking down, and that's the source of crayon smell

it's difficult to discover the cause, due to the location: inside the dashboard
pry off the dashboard cover(51459239303), then you can find the strong crayon smell

please check this information on youtube


BMW must be responsible for this issue instead of masking it with other scent.

Perhaps the government should investigate this issue for the bad smell may distract the driver's attention.

Last edited by silver156m6; 07-15-2019 at 10:49 PM..
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      07-15-2019, 11:30 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by silver156m6 View Post
I've been bothered by the crayon smell in my 2014 428i, and recently found the root cause:
the upper sound insulating dash panel(part number: 51487221965)
it's breaking down, and that's the source of crayon smell

it's difficult to discover the cause, due to the location: inside the dashboard
pry off the dashboard cover(51459239303), then you can find the strong crayon smell

please check this information on youtube


BMW must be responsible for this issue instead of masking it with other scent.

Perhaps the government should investigate this issue for the bad smell may distract the driver's attention.
I kind of like the smell.
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      07-16-2019, 03:23 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F30ZHP View Post
I kind of like the smell.
I thought that maybe due to the material quality issue
that environmental-friendly insulating material break down faster than it was designed to.

In my case, I felt throat and sometimes eyes discomfort, and have to open the window to ventilate, because my A/C suctioned the air in the dashboard which also smells like crayon.

In China, there was a technical notification for 2013 (NO.63227981-01)
F20 F21 F22 F23 F30 F31 F32 F33 F34 F35 F36 F80 F82 F83

https://kknews.cc/car/3m6mm8a.html
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      07-16-2019, 05:11 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by silver156m6 View Post
I've been bothered by the crayon smell in my 2014 428i, and recently found the root cause:
the upper sound insulating dash panel(part number: 51487221965)
it's breaking down, and that's the source of crayon smell

it's difficult to discover the cause, due to the location: inside the dashboard
pry off the dashboard cover(51459239303), then you can find the strong crayon smell

please check this information on youtube


BMW must be responsible for this issue instead of masking it with other scent.

Perhaps the government should investigate this issue for the bad smell may distract the driver's attention.
Did you change it out yourself? I'd want to kinda get a first person report on how it went and maybe how difficult it was to change this part out... Doesnt seem too expensive at $100!

Really appreciate this video, thank you for the link!!
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      07-16-2019, 05:16 PM   #22
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BMW crayon smell
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