Please assist

the odour is present only when I have fresh air coming in, it goes away if I recirculate.

I checked the filter, and replaced it, but it had no debris or any odour on it.

so my thought is it’s somewhere from the air inlet under the hood to before it reaches the filter

tried spraying Lysol in it, and armour all chemical designed for it. odour gets covered up by the spray but returns moments after.

does any one have schematics how to remove that cover in the engine bay so I can look inside?

or any ideas of what it could be?

 

Update to self

passenger side fender seal is soaked in the smell
It feels like foam, removed it, sprayed Lysol all over the area and will see how the car does without it for a few days.

All the venting smell is gone, just hope it’s all clear.

just unsure how this seal that is behind the inner fender almost completely covered up hot this odour

if any one else has something similar let me know, maybe a cx9 issue, maybe something dripping on it causing bacteria

 

I just got mine last week and I could smell something unpleasant when AC on as well. After drive, I could even smell something like burning iron when I came out of the car and walked pass the engine. When I leaned closer to the bonnet, the smell becomes stronger so must be from under the hood. I thought it is the 'brand new' smell? Can I be that optimistic?

 

this part above is a sponge, and the other side started smelling too, had the dealer pull it out, it absorbed water, and likely filled up with bacteria causing odor, now i have both removed and he will follow up if Mazda has any idea or solution? TBD

to determine if that is the cause the best way is open the hood, there is a small trim peace on either side that covers a space between the bottom of the windshield and top of the fender, its plastic and can be removed with no tools, put your nose into the opening and smell.

best effort for online picture to make it easier (its easier to smell if when engine is cold, as engine has other odors that may mask it)

 

It is strange to have sponge there, unless its cover is sealed and water-proof, but it doesn't look it is. What is the use of having a sponge there is another question. Thanks for the picture.

 

I have driven the car for a month with both sponges out, and then driven it after both got replaced. It does make a noticeable sound isolation in the cabin from front wheel noise.

hope it doesn’t happen again

 

I replaced mine with tubular foam. However, it was for noise reduction, but that area does not accumulate water and should never have any smell? The smell would come from somewhere in your HVAC system. It is not a bad idea to do a cleaning of it about at least 2 twice a year. Very easy to do.
Om my thread there is 2 area's that occasionally may need attention. Both are very easy service to do with simple garage tools.
One is removing the windshield wiper cowling and cleaning everything in and around that area including the cabin intake air ducted. The other is the ACHV air ventilation and AC condenser cleaning.

Mazda3 Things I like to do - Page 19 - Mazda Forum - Mazda Enthusiast Forums

 

I can highly recommend PureFlow Cabin filter. 4 technologies to filter and kill pathogens and reduce VOCs (smellls).

 

Something that is not talked about on MAZDA or for that matter many auto forums. Not all cabin filters work well at filtering for long term and actually can cause health problems. The other BIG thing is many filters reduce the air flow placing a resistance on the blower motor which testing has shown raises the operating temperature of the electric 12-volt motors. So keep both in mind when chooses a cabin filter.
My recommendation is either buy a cleanable filter like a K&N which clean the air well enough, and the air flow resistance is negligible, or to but a regular standard type of air filter and replace it at least every 2 months or sooner if in an area that has a high pollutant content cause by such things a fires or high wind dust?

I as far as I am aware noe one anywhere has done any testing on any brand filter for effectiveness after 30 days or longer. And only a couple give information about their air flow rating's. Before a couple of our great keyboard enthusiasts start pecking away (or pounding the keys) to find information, please read that I did not say advertised information but actual testing's.

 

Agree! Have been using PureFlow in two cars for over a year with no problems. For autos that have powerful enough blower motors they often HEPA option which works on my 2013 Honda Accord Sport.