Just a guess but could it be the catalytic converter, I remmber driving behind a volvo and I got that smell ,

 

If it is the cat, will I get the smell at the tailpipe?

 

If you are driving a petrol fueled vehicle (unleaded) then manufacturers frequently add a 'perfume' to the fuel in order that the exhaust fumes can be identified by persons being subjected to them. Helps to prevent gassing/poisoning/death etc. Your description of the smell is identical with the above. Nothing you can do about it other than ensure your exhaust doesn't have a leak in it allowing fumes to enter into vehicle. Such fumes actually contain Carbon Monoxide and sufficient exposure WILL cause death.

 

I can honestly say that this is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard...

If this was the case, can you imagine how bad the world would smell????

It's probably a bad cat dude....

 

voortregger - I have the same smell started on Monday. Really bad when you start the car. I ran over to a friend who works on European cars. He did not have time to totally diagnose but he thinks it is the battery going bad. It's under the driver seat and that would explain the smell... hmmmmm.....

 

nitromed, I have seen posts reporting that the smell could be sulfide from the battery overcharging.

Mine is a lot better now. I have put in a tank of the best (Chevron) and was wondering if the fresh gas could be responsible for the improvement.

Just a pity the battery is so hard to access, testing would also tell us something.

My battery is now 4 years old and still perform like new. Some warn that the battery can explode!!

 

Regardless of the cause the family always blames me for the smell.....sometimes they're right.

 

I agree with it being a rich fuel mxture or a bad o2 sensor or cat.

 

The car just got back from the 40K service and the smell started after the service.

I wonder if the dealer messed around with the fuel mixture during the service?

Your comment makes sense if they did.

 

Rotten egg smell means bad cat(s).

 

I would also look at what your fuel supplier is pumping and whether he is meeting the EPA low-sulfur refinement gasoline requirements. gasolines with a higher sulfur content (rotten egg smell) will reduce the ability of your catalytic converter to perform properly.

you may also want to try a different brand of gasoline/additive package first and see if that takes away the smell

 

A few weeks later now, two tanks of fresh gas from a well known brand and it seems to be gone!

Chances good that it was a batch of bad fuel/gas on my way home while on a road trip.

 

likely rubbish high sulphur fuel you bought somewhere, don't sweat it