An odd musty odor

[rblieber]

Hello -

I just bought an 03 Limited used via a Manheim auction (a friend is a dealer and bought it for us there). He had it inspected at the auction, and it came up clean. Carfax showed no trouble, though of course there are ways to manipulate that system.

Anyway, the car has a weird smell - at first we thought it was cigarette smoke. But a thorough detailing/interior cleaning didn't get rid of it. Now, we think it's some sort of water turning to mold (gulp).

One (hopeful, best-case) possibility is that there's a small exterior leak somewhere and somehow a bit of water has pooled inside where we can't see it and is making a smell. The horror-show possibility is that the car was flooded in a previous life and we'll end up with a mess on our hands. Today, I noticed some brown spotting on the ceiling fabric (mold? it doesn't smell...) but who knows if that's just paranoia on my part - then again, how would a bunch of brown spots get up there?

Anyway - we can't for the life of us figure out how to figure out what is going on. The dealership near us isn't terrific. Any guesses as to what this might be - and how to find the right person to diganose and fix it?

Thanks, Ron

[dmahalek]

Many times this odor is caused by the air conditioner drain hose when plugged. Check to see if it is open. This caused a similar problem in my Olds.

[rblieber]

someone else suggested the a/c system, so we'll check there

all other guesses welcome too...

r

[aputhon]

Hi,

I have detected a similar odor in my 2001 H'lander Limited and I think it is the rubber backing on the floor mats. The odor problem intensifies after the mats have been wet e.g. shampooed at a detailer, slush etc...

Hope that helps.

[rblieber]

thanks all

turns out it was a clogged filter in the ventilation system (i think the one that filters the incoming air from outside the vehicle)

r

[jamalily]

My a/c filter was clogged and supposedly opened back up. Smell still there in summer. Can a ventilation system be cleaned? By whom?

[rblieber]

sorry i don't remember the exact details - my wife ended up taking care of it at the dealer when she brought the car in for something else - she says it was either the air filter or the air conditioner filter

[rblieber]

also, we had it replaced, not cleaned - maybe that makes a difference?

[xraykid]

Here is what I'm dealing with right now.. Check for a crack in the unibody construction on the back hatch door. Just above whare the bolts are for the hatch piston.

I posted earlier about a unidentified water leak that pools water in the back seat floor boards. The dealer said it was coming from a 3rd party 3 seat that I installed a few months ago. I couldn't see how since there were only 2 holes that were drilled that went to the out side strait under the tire compartment. The dealer wanted me to take the car home for the holiday and they would repair and reseal the holes that I made. They made the mistake of giving me the car back with everything torn out of the auto. Well guess what? It's been raining for 4 days now and I found the problem. It's coming from the passenger side rear tail light assembly! I didn't think it was coming form 2 holes with bolts in them strait underneath the car! What pisses me off the most is that they didn't do a good job diagnosing the problem. It took me(actually my 11yr old daughter) 2 minutes to figure it out. We have new carpet on order and due to be installed tomorrow. If I hadn't found it. We would have shelled out over 1000+ bucks only to get wet again! I've bought 4 toyota's in my life. I've loved them all. I've had great service from "Stevens Creek Toyota" for all my services on all my cars. I'm very disappointed is a understatement. To top it off. They gave the Highlander back to my wife without windshield wipers. And did I say it's been raining for 4 days!? I'll let you all know how goes when I talk with the service rep in the morning..
The problem ended up being a crack in the unibody seam in the rear hatch door. The seam just above the compression piston bolts. They ended up putting some silicone over it and charging me 1200.00 for new carpet and trouble shooting. No warranty coverage.!