From the Magazine: The case of the hungry heater

A Chevy Malibu, a chatty customer and a smell that made everyone crave doughnuts. What could go wrong?

It was a Monday morning and, as always, I was first to open up the shop. I had a simple routine, and my first stop was Tim’s to get a medium dark roast with cream (I’ve graduated to black now).

Once the door was unlocked and the alarm system shut off, I’d go about turning on the lights, compressor, computers and retrieving keys and notes from customers who had dropped off their vehicles.

One set of keys belonged to Chatty Kathy’s Chevy Malibu, along with a note. I knew Chatty Kathy would call and talk about her issues with her car — and her life — but I was hoping it would be after we were up and running.

The staff was now arriving, and the “open” sign was turned on. Ms. Mumbles, my service writer, asked me to read Chatty Kathy’s note: Stu, my car makes me hungry when I have on the heater and I am trying to diet for my daughter’s wedding. Will call you after my Pilates class!”

Mumbles was telling the staff about the note, and Big Red, who was always hungry, had an open bay.

Big Red brought in Chatty Kathy’s Malibu and turned on the heater. Nothing.

I suggested we take it outside and let it run while Big Red worked on another vehicle. I was certain Chatty Kathy would call regardless, but I had no idea how long Pilates classes go for.

Ms. Mumbles, my service writer, asked me to read Chatty Kathy’s note: Stu, my car makes me hungry when I have on the heater and I am trying to diet for my daughter’s wedding. Will call you after my Pilates class!”

I had almost forgotten about Chatty Kathy’s car running outside when she called. After learning all about wedding dresses and their cost, we finally got down to the smelly Chevy situation.

In great detail, Chatty Kathy explained the issue. But simply put: She had an oddly pleasant odour when the heater was on, and it made her hungry. I was struggling not to break out into a full laugh. I told her we would figure it out.

Big Red was wrapping up a job, so I decided to take Chatty Kathy’s Malibu for a drive. I didn’t even get the door shut and there it was: Aa strange but somewhat satisfying smell.

After every staff member had a chance to take in this odd odour, we discussed what it could possibly be during the morning coffee break. We were all hungry, so I bought a dozen doughnuts too.

Big Red got to it next, and his first findings under the hood started to tell the story: Sunflower seeds everywhere. They wouldn’t fall out. This led us to the cabin air filter and heater box, which were also full of sunflower seeds. Thankfully, no nests.

Red spent half an hour with a vacuum and blow gun, and we were confident that once we replaced the cabin air filter, our mystery would be solved. We took the extra step to run an aerosol cleaner through the heater as it ran.

I waited until I had time and called Chatty Kathy. She was baffled at our findings. But when I quizzed her about bird feeders or possible sunflower plants in her yard, it hit her: The neighbours are animal lovers and feed birds, squirrels, mice, and skunks. Or, at least, that’s what she told me.

As it turned out, the neighbours were buying bags of sunflower seeds to use in their bird feeders. We don’t know what was storing them in Chatty Kathy’s Chevy, but they were definitely getting ready for winter.

Chatty Kathy was going to solve it by getting her husband to finally clean out the garage so she could park inside.

Someone said he told the story during his wedding speech.

Bruce Eccles is an author and the semi-retired owner of Eccles Auto Service in Dundas, Ont., sharing humorous stories from his career. All stories are true, but names have been changed

This article appeared in the February issue of CARS magazine.