Weird Smell in Shop

[Fuddyduddy1952]

You might have phantosmia, a condition where you smell things that aren't there. I'm pretty sure I have it because I often smell smoke that isn't there.

Could it be mildew from a roof or wall leak? Maybe something in storage like a paint can that has rusted through and is leaking.

Thanks for "phantosmia" which I'll now say to the wife when I expell gas in the car.

 

[Runner]

Thanks for "phantosmia" which I'll now say to the wife when I expell gas in the car.

Actually, that works because one of the things that is typically smelled by people having phantosmia (besides smoke) is poop.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

If it makes a sound I'll say "Ah-ha! Auditory hallucinations and phantosmia".

 

[Engineer42]

If it makes a sound I'll say "Ah-ha! Auditory hallucinations and phantosmia".

Might as well add misophonia to the list.

 

[etpm]

Maybe it's synesthesia and he is perceiving some faint sound as a smell. As long as we are discussing "ia" conditions and all that.
Eric

 

[bcp]

Assistant teacher arrested for allegedly stinking up his school with fart spray

A 32-year-old South Carolina assistant teacher has been arrested on charges he spraying his school with a substance that smells like poop.

abcnews.go.com

Someone playing a joke on you?

Bruce

 

[grsthegreat]

1). When I first started smelling it I thought it was me. But it was only in that one area.
2). That is kind of my best guess of what it is. But it never had AWFUL death smell. Just that beef stew/BO smell.

I was thinking it could be like a mouse nest or something. BUt I have never heard or seen a mouse in my shop. Do mouse nests smell like body odor?

If your beef stew smells like BO…. I dont want your recipe

 

[grsthegreat]

Obviously never had by aunt's beef stew!
A black snake was in a closet a few years ago. It had a metallic odor like copper.
Do you have a pet dog or borrow one to help locate it?

You sure that snake wasnt a copperhead

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

You sure that snake wasnt a copperhead

Only if it was Al Jolson reincarnated.

 

[Runner]

Just thought of another possibility. The plastic on tools really stinks, especially the ones from China. Also, any rubber parts like tires on lawn spreaders, etc. Every time I walk past my toolbox, I can smell the Harbor Freight stuff in there and it smells just as the OP describes.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Has Elon been in your garage?

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Hmmm, the tools could be something. I asked my wife yesterday to walk through that area and smell. She smelled it, but was equally as confused about its origins or where it might be emanating from. It is in a general region but it's not obvious where it is coming from.

 

[bigtiller]

Clean-out pit in your floor drain?

 

[dodge man]

You left a pound of hamburger and a couple of New York strips in the back of your car? I did that once, not good.

 

[ponytug]

A friend dropped a latte in her car and didn't get around to cleaning it up for a week. Unbelievable stench. I'd have ripped the entire carpet out before even getting in the car. Even with the window open in winter, it was tough.

@HawkinsHollow I'd lean towards a long dead mouse, or an open drain somewhere, but smells can be tough to describe and harder to locate.

All the best, Peter

 

[repete]

Any sewer lines or vents?

At work I have floor drains and traps requiring refilling periodically to prevent odor from escaping.

Otherwise something rotting?

We used to add some cooking oil on top of the water to slow evaporation.

 

[ultrarunner]

RV antifreeze works too…