My car smells inside

larbec7

New Member
May 28, 2007
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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
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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?

PP_MustangTensionerBraceFilte4-vi.jpg


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.

PP_MustangTensionerBraceFilte8-vi.jpg


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.

PP_MustangTensionerBraceFilte5-vi.jpg


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:

PP_MustangTensionerBraceFilte1-vi.jpg


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!

PP_MustangTensionerBraceFilte2-vi.jpg


Farther back view of grommet location:

PP_MustangTensionerBraceFilte3-vi.jpg


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

P_MustangTensionerBraceFilte19-vi.jpg


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

P_MustangTensionerBraceFilte17-vi.jpg
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
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.