My Interior Smells

[PaulSula]

Since I have moved to Florida I have noticed that my 4Runner has developed a really musty smell when it sits for a few hours. It just smells like wet dog.

I think that the problem came from me running an antenna wire through the rear tailgate and water coming in through the weather stripping. Also, I have two more wires coming in from the roof which are letting in a small amount of water.

My question for you guys (and gals) is if you have any suggestions on how I can get the smell out. I don't want to use febreeze, because I can't stand the smell of that stuff. I was going to use some resolve to clean the back carpet that got soaked and let the whole car air out when the weather is nice.

Also do you have any suggestions for re-running the wiring for my rear facing lights so rain water won't get in. Apparently, starting from the top doesn't work.

Thanks!

 

[riceandpho]

u have a moisture problem, i think u need to get those packets that take away the moisture, its only a few buks for a big bag, u can get those at a japanes car shop, also from what u said, water is comming in, and it damp the interior, take the carpet out and mat and see if its wet under the pad itself.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Febreze is your friend!

That stuff works well, as I find it useful to "freshen" the trucks at work after smokers have driven them.

 

[trey99ek]

If you have moisture I have used a product called "damp-rid" I think, made for the house and it worked good at my old house. I would just be sure to use febreze auto, lol. You don't want to use the regular stuff. Seriously what is the difference.

Good Luck

 

[PaulSula]

I would just be sure to use febreze auto, lol. You don't want to use the regular stuff. Seriously what is the difference.

Good Luck

I think that regular febreeze causes vapor lock in your engine and induces sludge in your oil!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I removed the rear most piece of carpet, re-wired my lights so they run through the bottom of the rear hatch. I then seperated the padding from the carpet, and cleaned the carpet itself with Resolve. Now that the sun has finally come out, I am letting both the padding and carpet bake in the hot sun. WHen I get them both back in, I will apply a liberal coat of Febreeze.

 

[Burt]

I recall there being an issue with moisture dripping down into the cabin air filter that was resulting in musty smelling interiors.
Not sure what years this applied to, but searching this site should pull up the original thread.
I think the fix was to have some kind of shield installed in the cabin air filter chamber.

 

[Falls]

I get that musty smell also but it comes from my vents / HVAC.

Maybe your is coming from there.

 

[osxcode]

ewwww

 

[PaulSula]

I recall there being an issue with moisture dripping down into the cabin air filter that was resulting in musty smelling interiors.
Not sure what years this applied to, but searching this site should pull up the original thread.
I think the fix was to have some kind of shield installed in the cabin air filter chamber.

The smell has left after all the cleaning, but you are right, I do have a musty smell from my air conditioning. I have only replaced my cabin air filter once in 100k miles. I think it is probably about time to change it again. Where is that darn thing anyways, probably behind the glove box huh?

 

[djj1973]

The smell has left after all the cleaning, but you are right, I do have a musty smell from my air conditioning. I have only replaced my cabin air filter once in 100k miles. I think it is probably about time to change it again. Where is that darn thing anyways, probably behind the glove box huh?

Yep, right behind the glove box. I change mine every spring. Darn things are expensive but each year its pretty dirty.

DJJ

 

[Burt]

Yes, behind the glove box.
I bought a quality furnace filter (20x16), pollen, mold, virus type, then cut it into four quadrants as to match old filter size. 10 bucks for 4 filters!
I chang mine every 3 months, cause I spend fair amount of time travelling dirt roads and helps with allergies.

 

[MikesToy]

I suggest you to steam clean the carpet and mat (if it's really that bad).