My vents have started to put off a strange odor...almost smells like exhaust fumes or something like that....
this happens with heat or cold air....
any ideas what I should even check out to trouble shoot this????

 

get a vent mounted air freshener

 

Are you sure it's not a mildew odor? If it is, take the HVAC off recirculation a few minutes before turning the car off so the moisture circulates out. It may not fix it entirely, but it'll help.

 

no I really don't think its mildew....really smells like a chemical odor...though I will try that and see if it makes any difference

 

air freshener

 

do you have any exhaust leaks in the front of your car?

 

Do you have bad allergies?

 

not that I know of...car was just in to get a rattle in my resonator taken care of and they checked everything out for me.....

 

Any possibility your smelling oil burning? If it is you could have a small leak somewhere, then oil drips on exhaust manifold, burns and goes into the vents...something to think about...hope you find it.

 

drive ace ventura style with your head out the window

naw but seriously, does it smell like oil? after you drive the car and shut it down, check your dipstick and let a drop of oil on the ex. manifold and see if its the same smell...