[Moist]

More lighthearted than my other 4runner issues for sure.

Over the last month or there has been a smell that has been getting worse and worse. It's to the point it's headache inducing and I would rather roll the back window down and get a whiff of the exhaust.

I have tried air fresheners, then the odor reducing spray that gets into the cloth, then removing literally any stain I could find. I'm not sure where the smell is coming from, aside from that it is absolutely rancid everywhere inside the car.

It smelled damp at first, then like sweat, then it just spiraled.

If you roll the windows down it goes away quick which is nice.

How do you remove the smell from the all cloth interior bits?

[MikeinNH67]

Originally Posted by Moist

More lighthearted than my other 4runner issues for sure.

Over the last month or there has been a smell that has been getting worse and worse. It's to the point it's headache inducing and I would rather roll the back window down and get a whiff of the exhaust.

I have tried air fresheners, then the odor reducing spray that gets into the cloth, then removing literally any stain I could find. I'm not sure where the smell is coming from, aside from that it is absolutely rancid everywhere inside the car.

It smelled damp at first, then like sweat, then it just spiraled.

If you roll the windows down it goes away quick which is nice.

How do you remove the smell from the all cloth interior bits?

That sux. No way to narrow down which area? First thing I'd check is the cabin filter to see if something got through it. I think there's also some vents in the rear quarters that a critter could get in through but not out.

[inscarguy]

Finding that might be difficult. The only way to rule any area out is remove the whole interior. There are so many places a critter could hide. First look for any brown drips anywhere, headliner, on trim pieces etc. If you do see it then you have narrowed the down the area. Critters usually have a specific place they always go. If not then you will have to pull everything out and look for nests, dead critters, poop. If found clean everything thoroughly. If it's in the carpet, toss it, the smell will never come out.

My '08 had critter damage before I bought it. The entire interior harness was replaced, they chewed the seat belts, ate the leather rear lower seat. The only thing fixed was the harness. I was tracing a bad ground and I found whole almond shells in the rt kick panel, the metal area. There were 25 of them. The cabin filter had a nest in it( pic attached ). Critter damage can also lead to mildew and mold. It's not healthy.

When I was an appraiser I had to look at a '09 rx400. Said to have " fluid damage". When I got there I could not get near the car the smell was soo bad. Come to find out the owners had a special needs daughter who always peed in her car seat. That pee got into the hybrid battery, seats, carpet, battery well. I had to total it because it would never clean up and it was not healthy to be in. It rusted the metal.

Try to find your issue as quick as possible, it will only get worse, especially if you are in a warm climate. If it's too expensive you can get insurance involved, it will be covered under your comprehensive.

[d33pt]

This thread is giving me nightmares. I've been meaning to cover up the cowl opening to the cabin filter with mesh, but haven't gotten to it yet. I had found one mouse poop on the filter. Should probably do it soon.

[SocalSam]

In addition to Blower motor and cabin filter housing, check behind rear panels. There are comfy spaces for rodents to nest.

[Moist]

Originally Posted by MikeinNH67

That sux. No way to narrow down which area? First thing I'd check is the cabin filter to see if something got through it. I think there's also some vents in the rear quarters that a critter could get in through but not out.

Under the driver's seat and the trunk area of the car. Will be removing and spraying down the cabin air filter.

[Moist]

Originally Posted by SocalSam

In addition to Blower motor and cabin filter housing, check behind rear panels. There are comfy spaces for rodents to nest.

How were you able to remove the lower panels of the cargo area? The link on the thread that covers it is dead.

[maxdef]

Originally Posted by Moist

How were you able to remove the lower panels of the cargo area? The link on the thread that covers it is dead.

I slapped this together just now but hopefully it helps. You'll unscrew and pull up/out on the tailgate scuff plate and then start going from there. The star looking knob can be a pain as it actually pulls out only from the top, not the whole thing- this view shows it expanded to give you a better idea. The rest will be the standard plastic push pins like what you see on the door cards. After a few things are removed, you can more easily pull the main carpet out as well.

[SocalSam]

Originally Posted by Moist

How were you able to remove the lower panels of the cargo area? The link on the thread that covers it is dead.

How to Replace Toyota 4Runner Subwoofer 2003 - 2009 - YouTube

[Moist]

Found the source. There was a power steering fluid bottle in the back that was leaking, it leaked through the lower panels of the cargo area and got the carpet wet. From there it just got nasty after being left for 8 months. Found some mold. Had a blast cleaning it.
Smells marginally better. I don't think the smell will fully go away for a long time. But that's the source.

Thank you everyone for the help!

[MikeinNH67]

I'd take that over a dead critter hidden somewhere.

[Moist]

Originally Posted by MikeinNH67

I'd take that over a dead critter hidden somewhere.

Oh for sure, I'm so happy I didn't find a rat's nest and a few dead ones under the cargo area. Just mold.

[SocalSam]

Originally Posted by Moist

Found the source. There was a power steering fluid bottle in the back that was leaking, it leaked through the lower panels of the cargo area and got the carpet wet. From there it just got nasty after being left for 8 months. Found some mold. Had a blast cleaning it.
Smells marginally better. I don't think the smell will fully go away for a long time. But that's the source.

Thank you everyone for the help!

Spread baking soda in a glass casserole dish and leave it in the back for a few days. Should absorb some of the odor.

[ArthurKotb]

Some broccoli fell out of a grocery bag and ended up in the trunk of my Camry. Talk about something that stinks; woof!

[Bluesky 07]

I have a big insulated bag for groceries and also for bringing home pizza. In fact, it looks just like the ones delivery drivers use. Once I brought home a pizza but forgot the little plastic container of grated parmesan in the bag. Definitely demanded attention after a few days. :-P