Mildew/Wet Sock Smell after rain/car wash

[ngfilla94]

I've noticed a terrible smell the next day after driving in rain or after a car wash. It smells as though the carpet has gotten wet and developed a wet mildewy smell. It's not the A/C, because after a few dry days the smell does not appear. I've felt all around different areas on the carpet and headliner for damp areas and I have not found the source. Has anyone else experienced this and been able to locate the source?

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[MT11]

I'm having the same issue and can't locate the source. Have you had any luck identifying the cause?

 

[DangItsDen]

Do either of y'all have aftermarket roof racks? The culprit in 5th gen 4runners was usually a leaky bolt tube thingy after swapping roof racks. Needs to be sealed with silicone, and redone every few years. If not, I have seen some people have sunroof "leaks" which some people claim is normal and that there is a drain situation that moves the water out, but I have no idea. Just sharing what I've seen other folks say. My sunroof has dropped a few drops of water on me while at highway speeds in heavy rain.

 

[127.0.0.1]

got a sunroof ? plumb the drains

peel up front driver side and front pass side carpet away
from firewall and look around, feel around, anything wet there ?

if you find roof rack leaks into headliner or pillars
107% that is warranty work and you
need a specific Toyota remedy. do not put in your own sealant
before Toyota gets a chance to diagnose/remedy
roof rack leaks can lead to needing to replace wiring harnesses
so if it is leakin, that's bad and ...needs a dealer to check it

 

[horbit]

Go to each door and the rear hatch and take off the rubber plugs at the bottom so see if your doors are filled with water.

 

[MT11]

Thanks all. I do have an aftermarket roof rack, but it's under a year old and sealed TIGHT on initial install with recommended RTV sealant. I will wait for this to get diagnosed before re-sealing. I removed all the rubber door plugs when I bought the car, as some of them weren't effectively letting the doors drain. I can't seem to locate any wet/damp areas after the rain or a specific area the smell is coming from. Off to the dealer I guess.

 

[gvan1998]

I have the same issue but cant locate the source

 

[boneskid1]

bumping this as I have the same smell and I do not have a sunroof. I also removed all the little rubber plugs on my doors and the rear hatch. Very annoying and its not from the A/C as it smells bad right after rain.

 

[Archer]

Doesn't even have to be after rain, dank smell comes and goes. Very annoying and embarrassing because sometimes it smells mildewy and others similar to cat urine...

.

 

[Nodak]

odd chance you are leaving the a/c (or on auto) on when you turn the vehicle off ?

you can get an odd smell from the moisture in the system when it sits or just after you turn off the a/c.

usually i turn mine off before i enter the sub division and let it air out and i switch to outside air to help dry out the system.

just a thought and something to check

 

[Archer]

nope, with all the air flow you can get with the windows I rarely use the AC.

.

 

[refone]

I had the same problem and bought this K&N LIFETIME Cabin Air Filter (VF2080)—washable, clean air for your cabin—and the bad odor problem was solved.

Another option, if you need even more filtration, is Febreze Odor Control Cabin Air Filter by PUREFLOW RZ18119.

I've noticed a terrible smell the next day after driving in rain or after a car wash. It smells as though the carpet has gotten wet and developed a wet mildewy smell. It's not the A/C, because after a few dry days the smell does not appear. I've felt all around different areas on the carpet and headliner for damp areas and I have not found the source. Has anyone else experienced this and been able to locate the source?

 

[Archer]

I had the same problem and bought this K&N LIFETIME Cabin Air Filter (VF2080)—washable, clean air for your cabin—and the bad odor problem was solved.

Another option, if you need even more filtration, is Febreze Odor Control Cabin Air Filter by PUREFLOW RZ18119.

Replaced mine with a carbon filter months ago, unfortunatley no change..


.

 

[gvan1998]

I had the same problem and bought this K&N LIFETIME Cabin Air Filter (VF2080)—washable, clean air for your cabin—and the bad odor problem was solved.

Another option, if you need even more filtration, is Febreze Odor Control Cabin Air Filter by PUREFLOW RZ18119.

I replaced the cabin filter with the K&N as well; no difference. I still smell the odor.

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