I use a high temperature chimney sealant every year because I have to
take my chimney apart from downstairs to clean the chimney (top too
high to reach).

I use a high temp silicone on my chimney pipe (recommended by the woodstove
company), but it's only above the roof line and not in our living space.
Also, it has been there since I installed the stove, and the smell only
started last year.

I previously took the lower part of my chimney apart after cleaning so I
could clean out the top of the woodstove. This usually meant it got a few
scratches and had to be repainted. Thinking the paint might be the cause of
the smell, I cleaned the stove out from the inside this year so I wouldn't
have to paint. But the smell is still there.

I would suggest opening all your doors and windows, then letting the
fire burn at a higher temperature a few times. Then I bet the smell
will go away.

I'll give it a try, but I've had lots of hot fires and the smell always
seems to return.

Thanks,

Anthony