My car smells inside

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larbec7

New Member

May 28, 2007

25

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0

Dec 9, 2009

#1

• Dec 9, 2009

• #1

I have a 2006 GT with leather. My car has always smelled like leather when we get in it and all of the sudden a few weeks ago I noticed a puddle of water in the front passenger side floor board. It had rained that night and the window was cracked. I shampooed the carpets and used something called odorban on it (which normally gets out any odor) and I can not seem to get the foul muskie smell out. I can spray a deodorizer and it last for a few days but the odor is back again.

Do you think an ionizer will work or what can I use to get the foul smell out and my nice leather smell back....if that us even possible?

Thanks in advance

 

anthony05gt

Active Member

Mar 18, 2006

1,262

1

37

Maryland

Dec 9, 2009

#2

• Dec 9, 2009

• #2

I would put a dehumidifier in the car and plug it in. Let it run for a couple of days.

 

mrv8outboard

Member

Mar 30, 2005

36

0

6

Dec 9, 2009

#3

• Dec 9, 2009

• #3

Also check the drain for the cabin air inlet. It is a duck bill drain beneath the battery tray on the fire wall. The heater box can trap water in it when the drain gets plugged. Then change the cabin air filter.

 

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larbec7

New Member

May 28, 2007

25

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0

Dec 9, 2009

#4

• Dec 9, 2009

• #4

Where is the cabin air filter located? The actual floor is not wet anymore, has not been for over a week.....I am so confused

 

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KKstangs

New Member

Dec 10, 2009

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Colorado Sprngs

Dec 10, 2009

#5

• Dec 10, 2009

• #5

Try

I know nothing about cars really, but have you tried Damp rid, you can buy it at walmart? it will absorb any moisture in the air in the car and usually gets rid of the smell too!

 

Mr_Q

Founding Member

Nov 5, 2002

721

8

48

Burbank, CA

Dec 11, 2009

#6

• Dec 11, 2009

• #6

Have a stripper sit in it.

 

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rogerblose

Member

Jan 11, 2007

53

11

19

Dec 11, 2009

#7

• Dec 11, 2009

• #7

Inside odor issue

I had the same odor problem in my 2006 GT with leather. Wife will not ride in the car. I have tried the Odor eliminator from Groits Garage which has killed the fungus / smell and replaced it with a slightly chlorine odor. You open up this container and leave it in the car for 6 hours and then vent the car. So far so good. My water leak came from the defective window molding as know in the TSB by Ford. I fixed the leak myself but the fungus took hold! Good luck.

 

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Gandyj

New Member

Jun 3, 2008

9

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1

Tallahassee,Fl.

Dec 11, 2009

#8

• Dec 11, 2009

• #8

This is not an uncommon problem for our cars and has been talked about on several forums. Do what mrv8outboard suggests or the this likely occur again. This should also make for some intersting reading SERIOUS LEAKING/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH 05+ MUSTANGS - MustangForums.com

 

DiMora

New Member

Dec 19, 2008

59

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Dec 11, 2009

#9

• Dec 11, 2009

• #9

Pop the Hood.

Remove the only two screws that hold in the passenger side plastic grill just below the passenger side windshield.

This is the piece you are removing. See the two holes?



Lift grill straight up. You have to be careful on the center part (windshield wiper is in the way a bit) and the far right passenger side connector (where it has to be maneuvered near the hood-corner junction).

See the five rectangular plastic plugs built into the car where the matching plastic pins from the cover go into? The one in the far LEFT of the PICTURE is hard to see because it is in the corner.



Here is the UNDERSIDE of the cover. Again, five plastic protrusions are visible that go into the car's matching holes. The one on the far LEFT of the PICTURE is hard to see, but it is there.



There is the cabin air filter...right behind the battery. It is in a black plastic frame. Mess with the tabs on the top of it and it tilts toward the front of the car then slides out straight up. FYI there are two pins on the bottom of the frame that slide into slots in the bottom when re-installing:



See that oval grommet? Clean that sucker (Leaves, etc.)! It has a little slot in the bottom of it. Just put your finger in it and make sure it is clear. If it clogs, the whole filter compartment can fill with water and literally fill your interior with skanky water!



Farther back view of grommet location:



Make sure to install NEW filter so the arrow points toward interior of car!:



Filter was skanky and stinky when A/C was turned on. Car only has 8,000 miles on it:

 

ViperNuge

New Member

Sep 26, 2009

197

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Maui

Dec 11, 2009

#10

• Dec 11, 2009

• #10

Great post DiMora!!!


patrick

 

Wraith413

Member

Jul 1, 2009

418

0

16

Galveston

Dec 12, 2009

#11

• Dec 12, 2009

• #11

Need to sticky this !!!!

+1 DiMora

 

S

Skippy21

New Member

May 5, 2001

16

0

0

Richmond, VA

Dec 12, 2009

#12

• Dec 12, 2009

• #12

One idea is too put Arm and Hammer all over your carpets let it sit there for a few weeks then vacuum it up. I knew a guy that did that to get rid of the smell of vomit in his car.

 

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GT/CS07

New Member

Jan 4, 2009

28

0

0

Dec 12, 2009

#13

• Dec 12, 2009

• #13

Lemon scented Fantastic (without bleach obviously) and a rag works wonders as well. It cleans and leaves a lemon scent. However I would try what DiMora posted and replace the cabin air filter.

 

gtss

Member

Apr 30, 2002

133

2

19

Airdrie,Alberta

Dec 12, 2009

#14

• Dec 12, 2009

• #14

Chances are the insulation under the carpet is also wet and musty as well. I would lift the carpet, possibly even remove the seat to lift all of it, and let it thoroughly dry , possilby use some of the above mentioned odor removal methods on the insulation and carpet

gtss

 

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larbec7

New Member

May 28, 2007

25

0

0

Dec 14, 2009

#15

• Dec 14, 2009

• #15

I pulled up my carpet and it is soaked, the padding is destroyed. I have the front passenger side seat out and all the padding pulled out all the way to the back seat. I do not think it got under the back seat or at least i hope not. My car is parked in my drive way and it slants so that explains why it is in the back seat area. I am pissed needless to say. Hopefully it will all dry out and I will replace the padding and all be okay

 

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larbec7

New Member

May 28, 2007

25

0

0

Dec 14, 2009

#16

• Dec 14, 2009

• #16

Should I still replace my cabin air filter? Can I use just regular odor resistant padding since I threw out the old skanky wet one?

 

F

fallenauthority

New Member

Jun 28, 2009

72

0

0

Hughesville, MD

Dec 15, 2009

#17

• Dec 15, 2009

• #17

Ford Mustang Coupe, Convertible or Fastback Passenger Area Carpet Kit Replacement

 

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galactus

New Member

Nov 16, 2007

9

0

0

Virginia

Dec 28, 2009

#18

• Dec 28, 2009

• #18

Thanks for the great write-up and pics, DiMora. I have the exact same problem on my 05, and have talked to a couple of others in a similar boat.

Based on your great pics, I tackled this this past wknd, and it took less than an hour. That rubber grommet looks a bit useless, and I'm wondering if there's any reason to keep it? The only reason I could see is to keep out insects, but it's such an obscure location anyway.

This info is so good, it should be stickied.