I have read many threads on this topic, but I am hoping somebody may help me see something I am missing. Here's my issue:


After bringing home my 2001 Max, I discovered 1/2 inch of water sloshing around the spare tire bay. I sealed the spot where water was getting in (tailight assembly) and now it's water tight.

Here's what I did to get rid of the mustly smell so far:


I pulled out the carpet in the trunk and the wooden thing that goes over the spare. I scrubbed the trunk with bleach and water, and then with baking soda. I then dried it out and then spray painted the metal. I did not put the old carpet or wooden thing back and will get new ones.

This helped reduce the smell a little, but it's still there...

I then bought leather cleaner, wiped down the seats and interior, used Armor All on the dash, and dumped baking soda on all the carpeting and left it there for a week and then vaccumed it up. I also sprayed the car down with some kind of odor killer I bought at the auto parts store. It smells nice, but...

it still smells musty!

I then changed the air filter, and cleaned out the in-air cabin filter (I plan on replacing it), but the airconditioning/heater vents do not give off a musty smell and the in-air cabin filter, while it had some lint and leaves in it, it did not smell musty.

Finally,
Last night I put containers of Dri Damp throughout my car, hoping to soak up any smells. I do not know if it's working yet.

Based on what you've read, do you have any further suggestions other than ripping out all the carpet and seats?

 

Since it was the tail light leaking, did you check to see if the trim panel that covers the tail light is not growing mold?

Another spot to check is the pocket that is created between the inside of the rear fender and the trunk floor. If the drain is plugged, you could have a pool of stagnant water in there or maybe mud if dirt got in there. Check both sides of the car.

 

Thanks. This weekend I hope to take out the wall panels in the trunk and really get in there with a light and check things out. I kind of only paid attention to the flooring in trunk so far.

Once the side wall cloth panels are taken out, will I be able to access these drains you speak of?

 

Bac Out will fix the smell. Its a "biokleen" product.

A little pricey but will absolutely take it out. Look into it.

 

The drains are easy to get to. You do that from outside the car. They are on the bottom of the fender right behind the rear wheel. It is a flap that covers a maybe 1/4 inch hole. You can poke something thin up into the opening to drain out any water that might have built up.

The only problem is that if water has built up, there is some kind of debris inside that is blocking the hole. Assuming you have water build up, after draining the fender, pour some more water into the fender. If it runs out, great. This would also help flush out any dirt or mud that remains. You could use some disinfectant after you got it cleaned out.

But to see in there, I don't know. It is a pretty narrow space. Maybe if you use a mirror or something. Unless you have a really big hand, you can reach down into there to check for water.

 

Thanks Dennis. I will do that this weekend. Or whenever it stops downpouring here in NJ. Like I said before, the most obvious culprit was the standing water I found in the spare tire bay. But maybe that just stunk up the whole car permanently or maybe, as you said, there may be a clog in the fender drains. After this I might look into an Ozone generator...

 

Well it looks like the smell is going to win. I'm resigned to the fact that some cars just develop their own scent over the years and mine happens to be a slight musty smell. The trunk is sealed, there are no leaks anywhere, the vents do not blow out any foul odors, the cabin air filter was changed as well. All the drains are good.


The only thing left is ozone treatment. The only place I found is a mobile detailer who is not working right now because of the weather.

In the meantime, I've started looking for a new car.

 

Can you figure out where the smell is coming from? trunk, cabin, floor or ceiling?

Dryer sheets in the vents so when the vents blow it smells nice...

It sounds like you have done all you can for the most part.

Time to buy an air freshener and sell the cah

 

My car has also developed a musty smell. I only smell it sometimes, though and I think it was just from rain getting on the carpet. I'm not sure though. It's not terrible, just slight. I have rgis product at home that takes care of just about any organic odors, but I can't remember the name of it right now. I'll dig it out when I get home and let you guys know. I've used it before and it works awesome! Oh, I remember, it's called "molecular modifier" but I don't remember who makes it. It's really strong when you spray it, but once it dries, it leaves a nice, powdery aroma.

Alright, I just googled "molecular modifier" and there's a few brands. It's a little pricey, but the stuff works!

 

treat the roof liner and rear window shelf. if on a hot day the water evaporated, it would have been sucked in by the material on these two trim pieces. remove them completely from the car and drive around windows down for a while, and treat them while out of the car. then see if the smell goes away

 

Kool. Will do as soon as I can dismantle the interior. This is SoCal, so there is a distinct possibilty that's what might've happenned.

 

My leak was in the trunk, but has been since sealed, dried, and cleaned. I can't catch a break with the weather (NJ) to see if a few days above 60 degrees and sun will help alleviate some of the smell. It's not overpowering or anything but it is "there". Unless I fix the problem or sell the car, my wife will continue to hold my boat-towing vehicle hostage and keep me from fishing!

In the meantime, I'm scouring craigslist for a new Max.

 

Dude, try the molecular modifier stuff. I'm tellin ya, it works! And it leaves a nice, powdery smell! You do have to saturate the fabric though, just like with febreeze, so you'll probably still have to wait for a sunny day, orrr, get one of those heaters that yoy pkug into the lighter socket!

 

You can get one of those Bissell steam cleaners with the oxygen boost formula and try to steam all the carpet in the car.

Or you can take it to a professional detail place and have them take out the smell. It's probably way cheaper then getting a whole new car.

 

I'm going to get it treated with an Ozone Generator on Saturday.
Hope this works.

 

You need a new spare tire cover!

See my sig

And PM me! You're local

 

I don't need a new spare tire cover. But thanks anyway. So the ozone treatment did not help. I was told by the shop to get a full interior detail and then do an ozone treatment but I felt that would just fill the car with the smells of the cleaners and not really eradicate the musty smell. I just wanted no smell at all.

So now My last two choices are I will get the car shampooed and detailed inside with an additional ozone treatment done. or I will sell the damn thing!

 

You know, if that puddle was in there that long, some of the water might have pooled up under the the car, which would require taking apart the entire interior until you can see the metal, and seeing what dirt/mold has grown under there. Might have to go to a restore place so they can see whats going on under the car and get them to clean the frame/metal under the carpet and panels and stuff to get it out. Just a thought.

 

Last night I thought I had an "Ah ha" moment when I looked up into the sunroof compartment and saw a band of water across the metal. I went to an auto glass place and had my hopes dashed. The guy told me it wasn't necessarily coming from the sunroof. Condensation rises. He said I def. have water somewhere in the car but who knows where.

On my old max I had a leaking rear window that ran all the way down and made the back floor wet. This car I have no easy clues. No carpets are wet, and the musty smell cannot be pinpointed. I am trying to avoid ripping out the whole interior even though I know that's what might need to be done.

Can the AC drain or heater core be ruled out if I have no evidence of water in the cabin or foul smell coming through the vents?

 

I wouldn't rule out the heater core idea. I changed out my heater motor the other say and decided to take a peek inside the void where there's a cabin filter in '02 and later max's... low and behold, there were leaves, twigs, aaaaanddd MOISTURE! WTH???? I didn't take pics, but there was alao this kinda noist lint stuck to the core "honeycomb" part. No wonder it wasn't blowing that well anymore! Well, as good as I could, I stuck the vacuum hose nozzle through the fan hole so I could vacuum all that crap out. I unfortunatley damaged a few fins in the process, but not many. What I haven't figured out is, if the moisture is from a tiny leak, or if there's a leak in the firewall or vent somewhere. There weren't any puddles or anything, but definitely moisture.... so, take 15 minutes ant take a peek in there.

 

My AC and Heat work just fine. The vents don't blow out foul smelling air. I changed the cabin air filter but didn't notice anything unusual under there(might have to go back in).

There is no evidence of water under the carpets as far as I can tell. Would you still not rule out the heater core? Or the AC drain?

I ran the AC for about 15 minutes yesterday, and I ran it on my way to work another 20 min. today and didn't see any water under the car when I parked it either time. (I am trying to rule out a clogged AC drain).

 

If the drain for the a/c is plugged, the condensation water will be leaking into the passenger compartment in the passenger foot well. Not having a puddle under the car makes one wonder, but with the fan blowing, some of the condensation will evaporate and come out the vents as humid air, the rest going out the drain tube. If you can't feel any dampness in the carpet, I don't think you have a problem with the a/c drain.

If the heater core was leaking, I think the carpet in both foot wells would probably get wet. But the heater core would be leaking engine coolant, i.e., antifreeze and this would have it's own unique odor. Plus, if the heater core was leaking, you would have noticed that the radiator was low when the temperature gauge went up.

 

Finally caved and had car detailed. Mold was found beneath back seat. Whole seat was removed. Steam shampoo and ozone treatment and problem solved for now. Wife says she still can smell a tiny hint of mold near the backseat. Hope this thread helps somebody else. I am still selling the car. Thanks to all that followed my saga.