Musty odor

[Sparky5e]

Over the past month whenever it rains and I use the outside air option I get a bad musty odor. I can't locate whats causing it, but it goes away if I turn the air on recirculating the air. I haven't checked the air filter, but think if it was to blame I would notice it in any mode. Even worse is when I crack the windows in outside air mode, it is really bad.

Hopefully it is something simple otherwise it's off to the stealership for a warranty complaint.

[gnegroni]

Well, I can't help much but I am suffering from an odor, could be like yours, but its not all the time. My cabin air filter is relatively unused since I changed it not too long ago and not use the car that much, but not sure if its related.

There is a TSB for leak inside cabin...dunno number. Anyway, if you are still in warranty, go ahead. Post up results afterwards.

In the meantime, I bought an air ionizer...works pretty good as temporary solution.

[kingkakyle]

try running ur car with the heat on fan all the way up no a/c
like when u drive roll down the windows and turn it up
should eliminate the odor after a bit

[Solarizona]

They have a spray at autozone that gets rid of the smell. It's caused from bacteria build up from the humidity. My sister's ES300 had this problem bad, and I just used the spray. Fixed the problem almost immediately. I don't remember the name of the stuff, but the people at autozone should know about it.

[Down2TheC]

The fact that cracking the windows makes it worse is just because that increases the flow.

Sounds like it's gotta be between the intake vent and the fan. You might try a little bleach solution in a spray bottle. Shoot it in the intake across the whole span. It'll just drain out so don't do it in your garage. Best bet, let it sit for a 10 min, then blast a hose in there. (don't wear your best shirt...)

[gnegroni]

They have a spray at autozone that gets rid of the smell. It's caused from bacteria build up from the humidity. My sister's ES300 had this problem bad, and I just used the spray. Fixed the problem almost immediately. I don't remember the name of the stuff, but the people at autozone should know about it.

Sure you don't remember the spray's name? Can't find anything in mine... they are just showing me car deodorant sprays (mask it, doesn't remove it).

try running ur car with the heat on fan all the way up no a/c
like when u drive roll down the windows and turn it up
should eliminate the odor after a bit

I did this once after a rainfall with my right window partially open... worked wonders. After doing it, the odor is partially gone, so was my fuel economy.

The fact that cracking the windows makes it worse is just because that increases the flow.

Sounds like it's gotta be between the intake vent and the fan. You might try a little bleach solution in a spray bottle. Shoot it in the intake across the whole span. It'll just drain out so don't do it in your garage. Best bet, let it sit for a 10 min, then blast a hose in there. (don't wear your best shirt...)

I'll try this... dilute a little Clorox in water and shoot it in the air cleaner? Where exactly?

[Solarizona]

Sure you don't remember the spray's name? Can't find anything in mine... they are just showing me car deodorant sprays (mask it, doesn't remove it).

I'll check if the can is still in the garbage. The stuff is made to eliminate the odor not just mask it. I drive by the Auto Zone I bought it from, so I'll stop in if I can't find the can.

[Sparky5e]

I think I might have found it, and am a bit embarassed.

I opened the hood yesterday and it looked like a forest floor over thr grid between and around the wipers. I pulled out about 2 fists full of maple helicopters, pine needles, dirt and leaves. I then washed the car and it seems to be gone. The wind and crappy weather around here left me a nice package from mother nature.

Hopefully this has solved it, I will find out as it's suppose to rain all weekend.

Another question:

How long does it take for the door wipers for the windows to dry out. Mine leave streaks for over a day, even when baking in the sun. I thought maybe the smell was coming form the door beacuse of this. A service tech at my dealership said the wet door wiper issue is common wih Toyota and it's normal.

[gnegroni]

They have a spray at autozone that gets rid of the smell. It's caused from bacteria build up from the humidity. My sister's ES300 had this problem bad, and I just used the spray. Fixed the problem almost immediately. I don't remember the name of the stuff, but the people at autozone should know about it.

I purchased a spray called Ozium in PepBoys...

Ozium

Is this the spray you are talking about? Instructions say avoid inhalation, so I understand this is pretty powerful stuff. BTW, 3.5 oz is enough for 12' x 12' x 8' room, so I guess my Solara shouldn't be much trouble. I intend to spray in the air ducts and on the A/C filter itself and leave running for a while.

[Sparky5e]

Ozium is very dangerous if not used as directed. I tried to kill cigar oder in the winter and spayed about 10 squirts instead of the 2 for my room. I choked very bad and barely crawled outside.

Besides that I wasn't too impressed with the stuff.

[gnegroni]

Ozium is very dangerous if not used as directed. I tried to kill cigar oder in the winter and spayed about 10 squirts instead of the 2 for my room. I choked very bad and barely crawled outside.

Besides that I wasn't too impressed with the stuff.

Thanks for the tip!

[MrMikeL]

Hey Sparky, for those felt window things, I always run a terrycloth towel behind them after I wash. It gets a lot of dirt and water out. Keep using a dry part of the cloth and get it behind there until it's dry & clean. Run it back and forth behind the thing.

[gnegroni]

Well, on my particular case Ozium did the trick. Apparently I had bacteria related problem and spraying my air ducts and let the air being recycled for a while solved the problem.

BTW, where are the vent inlets (outside air) located at?